Alma Jordan, AgriKids; An Taoiseach Enda Kenny; Tom Hayes, Enterprise Ireland; and Emer Cooney, Hyrasure

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, launched the new Enterprise Ireland €200,000 Competitive Feasibility Fund for the Midlands and Mid-East Region. The Fund, which can provide up to €25,000 to successful applicants, is aimed at stimulating innovative start-ups and creating jobs and growth in the region.

The Fund call will open for applications from entrepreneurs and early stage start-up companies in counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, on Monday 11th January 2016 and will close at 3pm on Monday 25th January 2016.

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

The Fund is open to individuals, early-stage companies or prospective businesses involved in manufacturing and internationally traded services, including sectors such as Internet, Games, Apps, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Beverages, Consumer Products, Industrial Products, Engineering, Medical Devices and e-Health.

Full details of the Fund including the Application Form are available on the Enterprise Ireland web site: www.enterprise-ireland.com/cffmidlands