FDBusiness.com

The Irish Government has launched a new Enterprise Ireland Competitive Feasibility Fund for agri-businesses. The Fund, which can provide up to €25,000 per initiative, is aimed at stimulating innovative start-ups and creating jobs and growth in the Irish agri-business sector.

The Fund, which is now open for applications from entrepreneurs and early stage start-up companies, will close on Tuesday 6 September 2016.

The purpose of the Competitive Feasibility Fund is to enable promoters to assess the viability and market potential of their business ideas. Enterprise Ireland is seeking to support business ideas that are likely to achieve significant growth within three to four years, with sales of €1m+ per annum and employment of 10 or more.

The fund is open to applications from individuals, early stage companies or prospective businesses operating in the agri-business sector including: machine design and manufacturing; fabrication; engineering and technical activities; life sciences products with application in the agri-sector; farm related software and related services; vet-pharma; animal health and chemical products.  Early stage food companies with the potential to export are also encouraged to apply.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD says: “In Ireland we have a strong and dynamic agri-business sector, with highly innovative companies like TrueNorth Technologies successfully winning sales in international markets. Competitive Feasibility Funds are all about developing new businesses that will create jobs in every region in Ireland – something this Government is deeply committed to. If you are a potential entrepreneur or early stage business in the agri-business sector, this Competitive Feasibility Fund can help you get started.”

Denis Duggan, CFF programme manager, Enterprise Ireland, says: “A priority for Enterprise Ireland is to help Irish entrepreneurs and companies to start up. Ireland has a world-class agri-business eco system, which offers tremendous potential for entrepreneurs and existing businesses to carve out opportunities for innovative products and services. Agri-businesses sustain and create jobs in many rural areas and are significant contributors to their local economies. Irish agricultural machinery exports alone are valued in excess of €100m per annum. With this €200k Competitive Feasibility Fund, we aim to support the next generation of Irish agri-businesses that can grow to compete in export markets, creating valuable jobs here into the future.”

Full details of the fund, including application form, are available on the Enterprise Ireland web site: www.enterprise-ireland.com/AgriFund.

CAPTION:

Pictured (L-R):Paddy Halton, Managing Director, TrueNorth Technologies; Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD; and Denis Duggan, Enterprise Ireland.