Feasibility fund to boost rural job creation
Enterprise Ireland’s new €200k feasibility Competitive Feasibility Fund (CFF) for agri-businesses will provide up to €25,000 per initiative to help stimulate innovative start-ups to create jobs and growth in the Irish agri-business sector.
The fund aims to help companies develop sales of €1m+ per annum and employ ten or more people within three to four years.
Denis Duggan, Enterprise Ireland CFF programme manager, said: “A priority for Enterprise Ireland is to help Irish entrepreneurs and companies to start up.
Ireland has a world-class agri-business eco system, with 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.”
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, said: “In Ireland we have a dynamic agri-business sector, with innovative companies like TrueNorth Technologies 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 fund can help you get started.”
The closing date to submit applications is Tuesday, September 6. For further details, see www.enterprise-ireland.com/AgriFund.
