Women with new businesses or with developed business ideas should apply for support under the ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-Ups ) programme, said Fine Gael councillor Eileen Mannion this week.
ACORNS is a development initiative to support female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, who wish to start and develop new businesses or have recently started a business. The initiative is based on peer support and collaborative learning. Each participant will have the opportunity to learn from successful female entrepreneurs.
“There has been an increase in early-stage female entrepreneurs in Ireland over the past year," Cllr Mannion said. "On average, 850 women are starting a new business every month in Ireland. The rate of developing female entrepreneurs in Ireland is now ranked fifth across Europe.
"Over 200 female entrepreneurs have taken part in ACORNS to date, and 50 new participants are being sought for ACORNS 5. The ACORNS programme is a tremendous opportunity for early stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland to help them realise their ambitions.
"I would urge those who have recently started or are about to start a new business to apply to participate in this exciting initiative," she added.
"I am delighted Minister Creed is supporting this initiative under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine."
The ACORNS programme will run over six months from October 2019 to April 2020. Any women with a new business based in rural Ireland, or an idea for a new venture, can get more information and application form at www.acorns.ie The closing date for applications is September 20.
