27/08/2013

Enterprise Ireland Launches Competitive Feasibility Fund

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton TD, has announced the establishment by Enterprise Ireland of a new €250,000 Competitive Feasibility Fund for Female Entrepreneurs.

The initiative is part of a drive by Enterprise Ireland to boost the number of innovative, export-oriented businesses being set up and led by female entrepreneurs.

The funding call is open to female-led start-ups in Manufacturing and Internationally Traded Services including Internet, Games, Apps, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Consumer Products, Medical Devices and e-Health.

The announcement follows on from two successful female entrepreneurship funds launched by Enterprise Ireland in 2012.

These funds attracted more than 200 applications, resulting in an additional 30 female-led businesses receiving funding to investigate the viability of new growth orientated businesses which can succeed in global markets.

This latest fund will be followed in October by a new Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs, continuing the commitment to deliver on the key measure under the Action Plan for Jobs aimed at supporting growth in female entrepreneurship.

Minister Bruton said: "A key part of the Government's plan for jobs and growth is encouraging more businesses to start-up, grow, and create jobs. Making sure that we have a substantial increase in the number of female-led start-ups is part of that strategy.

"As part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, Enterprise Ireland launched a new women-in-business drive to support female entrepreneurs, including several female competitive funding programmes which attracted a very high level of applicants with ambitious and innovative projects.

"The announcement that we are targeting this new €250,000 competitive feasibility fund specifically at start-up companies led by women will build on this momentum – ensuring that more women get involved in starting businesses, getting into exports, and creating jobs."

(CD/JP)

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