FDBusiness.com

Bord Bia (Irish Food Board) has announced a new financial support, entitled the ‘Step Change Programme’, for small Irish food, drink and horticulture businesses. The €400,000 grant scheme is aimed at companies, with a turnover between €100,000 and €5 million, embarking on a new project to take their business to the next level. In 2015, Bord Bia expects the ‘Step Change Programme’ will benefit at least eight high potential Irish businesses with individual grants of up to €50,000.

Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia’s Director of Food and Beverages, comments: “This new enhanced grants programme has been designed to assist progressive small food, drink and horticulture companies to fund a significant project that will positively impact the company’s growth. Applicants must demonstrate new, innovative developments and activities, which will involve a considerable departure for the company, for example, a product launch on a new export market, establishing a new route to market or launching a new brand range.”

Bord Bia’s existing financial programme, Marketing Assistance Programme, which provided 186 companies with a total of €976,000 in marketing grant aid in 2014, will operate as normal. The closing date for receipt of applications for both the financial programmes is Friday, 6th February 2015. For more information, visit www.bordbiavantage.ie.