The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Mr Brendan Howlin T.D. announced a new €200,000 Enterprise Ireland fund to help entrepreneurs in the South East Region to explore the feasibility of their innovative start-up ideas.

The fund can provide up to €25,000 towards the cost of a feasibility study to help new entrepreneurs to validate their start-up ideas. The aim of the fund is to boost start-ups and stimulate growth and job creation in Counties Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford.

The deadline for applications is 3pm on Tuesday 20th January 2015.

Announcing the fund, Minister Howlin said: “This fund is to help entrepreneurs in the South East to start high growth indigenous businesses that will create the jobs of the future. As proven by local successes such as Sonru, Eishtec and FeedHenry, the South-East offers a rich environment in which new Irish businesses can start and grow to deliver strong job-creation potential.

"At the heart of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes to start-up, grow, win markets and create jobs. I urge the next generation of South East entrepreneurs, with exciting business ideas, to come forward and compete for the funds available. Let us continue to drive the ongoing resurgence of the region”.

Enda McDonnell, Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Director for the South/South East added: “This fund is aimed at helping people who have a bright idea for an international business for the South East. We are looking for new business ideas that can grow and provide valuable jobs into the future. We encourage anyone who has even a germ of an idea to review details of the scheme …it might be just what you have been looking for to test the commercial potential of your business idea”.

The application process will be competitive and will focus on supporting innovative, growth-oriented businesses with the potential to move into export markets over time.

Full details of the fund including the online application form are available on the Enterprise Ireland website: www.enterprise-ireland.com/sef