Pictured (l-r) are: Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, Tom Cusack, Enterprise Ireland Manager, High Potential Start Ups with Andrew O’Connor and Andrea Magnorsky of Batcat Games.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD this week named the 30 successful companies that have recently been awarded funding under Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund. He also announced a new call for applicants to the fund.

The Competitive Start Fund provides young companies in the ICT & Industrial sectors with the critical early stage funding to test the market for their products and services and progress their business plans for the global marketplace.

15 companies are expected to benefit under this round of funding, under which a total of €750,000 is available. This will bring to 60 the number of early stage projects approved in 2012 under the Competitive Start Fund. The closing date for applicants is Wednesday 10th October and this call is open to start-ups from both ICT and Industrial sectors including sub-sectors such as Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Cleantech and Industrial Products.

Under the terms of the Competitive Start Fund, start-ups will receive an equity investment of up to €50,000 for a 10% ordinary equity stake.  In addition to funding, each start-up will be provided with an experienced business mentor to support them. The application process has been designed and improved to be fast and efficient to allow the new start ups to concentrate on validating their business concept and getting to market entry stage as quickly as possible.  Visit www.enterprise-ireland.com/csf

Click here For a full press release and details of the 30 companies awarded funding under the Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund so far this year.