Deadline: 10-Sep-21
The ACORNS is pleased to launch a call for applications for Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups to provide early stage female entrepreneurs, living in rural Ireland, with the knowledge, support and networking opportunities to meet and even exceed their current aspirations.
The ACORNS programme has been designed to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland and runs over six months part-time. Based on a belief that entrepreneurs learn best from each other, the ACORNS initiative is centred around interactive round table sessions that are facilitated by female entrepreneurs, known as ‘Lead Entrepreneurs’, who have started and successfully grown businesses in rural Ireland.
This innovative programme is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). Thanks to this funding, there will be no charge for those selected to participate in ACORNS and their accommodation costs, associated with any residential elements of the initiative, will be covered.
The intention is to provide up to 50 entrepreneurs with the knowledge, support and networking opportunities to meet and even exceed their current aspirations.
The programme will run from October 2021 to April 2022. Selected participants will be those who, on a competitive basis, best demonstrate their potential to advance their businesses and their commitment to fully engage in the initiative.
What’s the Approach?
- Based on a belief that entrepreneurs learn best from each other, the ACORNS initiative is focused on interactive round table sessions that are facilitated, not by consultants, academics or professional trainers, but by female entrepreneurs who have started and successfully grown businesses in rural Ireland.
- Those who will facilitate the interactive round table meetings and the residential developmental sessions, have the practical knowledge that comes from first-hand experience of owning and managing a successful business in rural Ireland. They believe in the philosophy of entrepreneurs supporting entrepreneurs and are giving their time to assist others on a voluntary basis. They are known as ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs.
- Working with a group of about eight participants each, the Lead Entrepreneurs will facilitate round table meetings, addressing enterprise challenges and supporting participants to consider how best to start, develop and position their businesses for sustainability and growth.
Duration
- The launch event and first round table session take place on 11th and 12th October 2021. At this first session, the participants will meet their round table group and their ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs for the first time.
- It is hoped to hold a residential Development Forum in April 2022. The theme of this Forum will be SMART Planning – The Roadmap Ahead.
Eligibility Criteria
- ACORNS is designed for nascent female rural entrepreneurs. To qualify for consideration, a woman:
- must have recently set up a new business which she owns or part owns, and which has generated sales no earlier than 1st January 2019 or
- must be at an advanced stage of planning a new venture and have a clear idea of what she wants to achieve.
- If she is not already trading, activities such as organising the start-up team, looking for equipment/facilities, saving money for the start-up, or writing a business plan would all be considered as active commitments to starting a business.
- She must also be living in a rural area. These are all areas of the country outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
- There is no restriction on the sector in which the new business is focused. Favourable consideration will be given to those who expect to grow their business and to employ others over the next three years.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.ie/ga/preasraitis/2ff9e-career-change-is-a-strong-trend-in-new-female-led-businesses-being-established-in-rural-ireland/