Deadline: 21-Sep-20
Early-stage female entrepreneurs, living in rural Ireland, are now invited to apply for a place on the ACORNS programme, now in its sixth year.
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 2020 to April 2021. 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.
This innovative programme is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
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 1 January 2018
- 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.
- If selected, applicants must be available to attend the first round table session on 23 October 2020. This will take place either in person or remotely, depending on prevailing circumstances.
Selection Criteria
- The ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs will be central to the selection of successful candidates. They will be seeking those who are prepared to fully engage with the programme; demonstrate a determination to advance their fledging businesses; are prepared to work hard in pursuit of their entrepreneurial goals, and expect to become employers. There are up to 50 places available for suitable candidates.
- The ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs will meet in late September to assess the applications received. Successful candidates will be notified in early October.
For more information, visit https://acorns.ie/