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Back for Business 5 Launch- February 2022

Colm Brophy, TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora officially launched Back for Business 5 in February 2022. Forty-five returned or returning emigrants will take part in the  part-time development programme aimed at assisting them to start and develop a business. This innovative initiative is funded through the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme.

Going for Growth 14^th Cycle launched- January 2022

Going for Growth, the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs, goes from strength to strength. Sixty-five female entrepreneurs have been selected for the 14th cycle of Going for Growth, which was launched on 31 January 2022. Between them these entrepreneurs already have annual sales of almost €44 million. More than one third of them are already exporters.   They currently employ almost 550 people, over 400 of these full-time, and have very ambitious plans for their future growth.

Going for Growth is designed to support them to achieve their very significant growth ambitions, helping create new jobs and grow their sales.  The programme is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

Back for Business 5 call for applications opens- January 2022

On 4th January, Colm Brophy, TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of Back for Business. Back for Business is an initiative to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among returned emigrants or those planning to return to live in Ireland in the near future. This innovative initiative is funded through the Government of Ireland’s Emigrant Support Programme.

ACORNS 7– New Cycle Gets Underway – November 2021

The seventh cycle of the ACORNS Programme for early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland got underway at a residential forum held in Mullingar on 15-16 October 2021, where the programme participants met with their Lead Entrepreneurs in round table sessions.   ACORNS is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Rural Development and Innovation Fund.

Going for Growth Review Sessions – November 2021

In November 2021, review sessions were held for those who completed the 12th cycle of Going for Growth, and the 13th cycle of Going for Growth and Continuing the Momentum. As the majority of the 12th cycle and all of the 13th cycle took place online, this was the first opportunity many of those participants had to meet in person.

Going for Growth 14th Cycle call for applications opens –November 2021

The call for applications for the latest cycle of Going for Growth opened on 8th October 2021.  This is the 14^th cycle of the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs who want to grow their business.  Over 800 female entrepreneurs from across the country have taken part in the initiative to date.  Going for Growth is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

Back for Business Review Session – November 2021

On Tuesday 2nd November 2021, a review session was held for those who completed Back for Business 4.  As this cycle took place entirely online, this was the first opportunity many of those on Back for Business 4 had to meet in person. The participants attended roundtable sessions in the morning and were then brought together in the afternoon for a plenary discussion.

ACORNS Call for Applicants Opens – July 2021

On Monday 26th July 2021 Charlie McConalogue, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of ACORNS.  To date, over 300 participants have taken part in this highly successful female entrepreneurship development initiative.  Funded under the Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund, ACORNS is focused on developing the potential of female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, who wish to start and develop new businesses or have recently started a business.

Read the full press release here.

Back for Business 4 call for applications opens- December 2020

On 16 December, Colm Brophy, TD, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of Back for Business. Back for Business is an initiative to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among returned emigrants or those planning to return to live in Ireland in the near future.

Going for Growth 13th Cycle call for applications opens – November 2020

The call for applications for the latest cycle of Going for Growth opened on 9 November 2020.  This is the 13^th cycle of the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs who want to grow their business.  Over 700 female entrepreneurs from across the country have taken part in the initiative to date.  Going for Growth is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

ACORNS Call for Applicants Opens – August 2020

On Tuesday 11th August 2020 Dara Calleary, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of ACORNS.  To date, over 250 participants have taken part in this highly successful female entrepreneurship development initiative.  Funded under the Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund, ACORNS is focused on developing the potential of female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, who wish to start and develop new businesses or have recently started a business.

Read the full press release here.

 

 

Going for Growth 12^th Cycle launched- January 2020

Going for Growth, the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs, goes from strength to strength. Eighty-three female entrepreneurs have been selected for the 12th cycle of Going for Growth, which was launched on 21 January 2020. Between them the participants currently have a combined annual turnover of €170.6 million and employ just over 2,401 people.

Going for Growth is designed to support them to achieve their very significant growth ambitions, helping create new jobs and grow their sales.  The programme is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

Back for Business 3 call for applications opens- November 2019

On Monday 11 November, Ciarán Cannon, TD, Minister of State for the Diaspora & International Development launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of Back for Business. Back for Business is an initiative to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among returned emigrants or those planning to return to live in Ireland in the near future.

Going for Growth 12th Cycle call for applications opens – October 2019

The call for applications for the latest cycle of Going for Growth opened on 29 October 2019.  This is the 12^th cycle of the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs who want to grow their business.  Over 660 female entrepreneurs from across the country have taken part in the initiative to date.  Going for Growth is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

ACORNS 5 – New Cycle Gets Underway – October 2019

The fifth cycle of the ACORNS Programme for early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland got underway at a residential forum held in Mullingar on 14-15 October 2019, where the programme participants met with their Lead Entrepreneurs in round table sessions.   ACORNS is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Rural Development and Innovation Fund.

Going for Growth Community Forum – September 2019

The annual Community Forum took place on 23-24 September 2019. On successful completion of a cycle of Going for Growth, participants can stay connected by joining the Going for Growth Community and take part in a series of events throughout the year, including topic based workshops and the Community Forum.

ACORNS 5th Cycle Call for Applicants Opens – August 2019

On Tuesday 13th August 2019 Michael Creed, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of ACORNS.  To date, over 200 participants have taken part in this highly successful female entrepreneurship development initiative.  Funded under the Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund, ACORNS is focused on developing the potential of female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, who wish to start and develop new businesses or have recently started a business.

Read the full press release here.

 

Back for Business 2 completed – July 2019

Back for Business 2 participants were presented with certificates of completion at a celebratory event in the Conrad Hotel. This was followed by a reception hosted by Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister for the Diaspora and International Affairs at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Iveagh House.

Continuing the Momentum Celebration – June 2019

For the first time, the end of the Continuing the Momentum cycle was marked with a celebration event in KPMG. 24 participants who had previously completed a Going for Growth cycle took part this year. Continuing the Momentum round tables, incorporate a slightly different model to that of Going for Growth, focusing on Deep Dives, whereby each participant company is put under the spotlight and the participants on the round table act as an “advisory board” for that company.

Going for Growth 11th Cycle Concludes – June 2019

The end of the 11^th cycle of Going for Growth was marked with a celebratory event on Monday 17 June 2019 at the offices of KPMG, one of the sponsors of the programme, along with Enterprise Ireland. Over 600 female entrepreneurs have been supported by Going for Growth over the 11 cycles.

Starting Strong Celebration – 11 June 2019

17 early-stage female entrepreneurs successful completed a cycle of Starting Strong in June. Starting Strong is the most recent in the suite of complementary initiatives under the Going for Growth umbrella, supporting ambitious female entrepreneurs in successfully growing a business.

 

ACORNS 4 End of Cycle Celebration – April 9th 2019

48 early-stage female entrepreneurs successfully completed the fourth cycle of ACORNS at a residential forum in Mullingar. To date almost 200 female entrepreneurs have been supported by this initiative, which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

 

ACORNS Community Forum and Showcase- April 2019

On successful completion of a cycle of ACORNS, participants can stay connected by joining the ACORNS Community and take part in a series of events throughout the year, including topic based workshops and the Community Forum.The ACORNS Community gathered in Mullingar on the 8th April where participants had the opportunity to showcase their unique products and services.

 

Back for Business 2 Launch- February 2019

Following a successful Pilot programme, Ciarán Cannon, TD, Minister of State for the Diaspora & International Development officially launched Back for Business 2 in Iveagh House. Forty-six returned or returning emigrants will take part in the six month part-time development programme aimed at assisting them to start and develop a business. This innovative initiative is funded through the Emigrant Support Programme by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which seeks to facilitate in practical ways those who left Ireland and want to return home.

Going for Growth 11^th Cycle launched- January 2019

Going for Growth, the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs, goes from strength to strength. Sixty six female entrepreneurs have been selected for the 11th cycle of Going for Growth, which was launch on 14 January 2019. Between them these entrepreneurs already have annual sales of €40 million. Over half of them are already exporters. They currently employ over 500 people and have very ambitious plans for their future growth. Going for Growth is designed to support them to achieve their very significant growth ambitions, helping create new jobs and grow their sales.  The programme is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

Back for Business 2 call for applications opens- December 2018

On Monday 17 December, Ciarán Cannon, TD, Minister of State for the Diaspora & International Development launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of Back for Business. Back for Business is an initiative to foster and support entrepreneurial activity among returned emigrants or those planning to return to live in Ireland in the near future.

Read the full press release here.

 

ACORNS at the European Enterprise Promotion Awards- November 2018

ACORNS was selected to represent Ireland in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2018, Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills and has been awarded runner up in this category. ACORNS also featured prominently in the Manifesto for an innovative Europe which was developed by the participants of the 2018 SME Assembly, which can be viewed here.

 

Going for Growth 11th Cycle call for applications opens – October 2018

The call for applications for the latest cycle of Going for Growth opened on 30 October 2018.  This is the 11^th cycle of the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs who want to grow their business.  Over 600 female entrepreneurs from across the country have taken part in the initiative to date.  Going for Growth is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

ACORNS 4 – New Cycle Gets Underway – October 2018

The fourth cycle of the ACORNS Programme for early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland got underway at a residential forum held in Mullingar on 15-16 October 2018, where the programme participants met with their Lead Entrepreneurs in round table sessions.   ACORNS is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Rural Development and Innovation Fund.

Going for Growth Community Forum – September 2018

The annual Community Forum took place on 24-25 September 2018. On successful completion of a cycle of Going for Growth, participants can stay connected by joining the Going for Growth Community and take part in a series of events throughout the year, including topic based workshops and the Community Forum.

This year we had the privilege of welcoming Katie Mullan, Captain of the Irish ladies hockey team to the Community Forum. Katie was interviewed by her team sponsor Susan Spence, SoftCo, Lead Entrepreneur. Katie gave insights into how to build a winning team which outperformed all expectations, while Susan drew analogies from sport to business.

ACORNS 4th Cycle Call for Applicants Opens

On Monday 27 August 2018 Michael Creed, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine launched the call for applicants for the latest cycle of ACORNS.  To date, over 150 participants have taken part in this highly successful female entrepreneurship development initiative.  Funded under the Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund, ACORNS is focused on developing the potential of female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, who wish to start and develop new businesses or have recently started a business.

Read the full press release here.

 

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland 2017 – July 2018

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland 2017 has been launched.  Enterprise Ireland, supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, sponsored the publication, which was authored by Paula Fitzsimons of Fitzsimons Consulting and Dr Colm O’Gorman Professor of Entrepreneurship, DCU Business School.

Pictured left to right are Declan Hughes, Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Professor Colm O’Gorman, DCU, (co-author), Heather Humphries TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Rowena Dwyer, Enterprise Ireland, Paula Fitzsimons, GEM coordinator for Ireland (co-author)

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

Going for Growth 10th Cycle Concludes – 19 June 2018

The end of the 10th cycle of Going for Growth took place on Tuesday 19 June.  KPMG, one of the sponsors of the programme, along with Enterprise Ireland, hosted the event at their premises.

Starting Strong Celebration – 11 June 2018

The successful completion of the fourth cycle of Starting Strong was marked in June.  Starting Strong is the most recent in the suite of complementary initiatives under the Going for Growth umbrella, supporting female entrepreneurs in successfully growing a business.

Back for Business Pilot Programme now completed – 14 May 2018

The Pilot Back for Business Programme concluded with a celebratory event at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Iveagh House.  The event was hosted by Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister for the Diaspora and International Affairs and each of the participants was presented with a certificate of completion.

Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister for the Diaspora and International Affairs is pictured with some of the participants and Lead Entrepreneurs from the Pilot Back for Business Programme.

 

ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs at Áras an Uachtaráin – Friday 4 May 2018

On Friday 4 May 2018 the ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs met with the President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at an event in Áras an Uachtaráin to celebrate female entrepreneurship.

Left to right: Triona MacGiolla Rí, Caroline McEnery, Alison Ritchie, Sabina Higgins, President Michael D Higgins, Anne Cusack, Mary B Walsh, Anne Reilly, Deirdre McGlone

 

ACORNS 3 End of Cycle Celebration

Now in its third year, to date over 150 of these rural based female entrepreneurs have been supported by ACORNS.  The successful completion of the third cycle was celebrated at a residential event in Mullingar on 17 April 2018.

Left to right: Elizabeth Gavin, Eur Digital Village; Bernadette Barrett, Léanas Gift in a Box; Cori Calvert, GlasÉireann Solutions; Caroline McEnery, Lead Entrepreneur; Claire Kelly, The Busy Botanist; Siobhan Stack, Ulluv; Anne Marie Lehane.

 

ACORNS National Forum Showcases Participants’ Products – April 2018

This year’s ACORNS National Forum was also the occasion of the inaugural ACORNS Showcase, which featured a colourful and inspiring display of the participants’ wide range of products and services.

Left to right: Former participant Kabira Allain, Kymaïa and Colm McKiernan, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

 

Going for Growth 10^th Cycle launched

On Monday 15 January 2018 Heather Humphreys, TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation launched the 10th cycle of Going for Growth.  68 female entrepreneurs have been selected for the cycle.  Between them these entrepreneurs already have sales in excess of €67 million and employ over 850 people.  Going for Growth is designed to support them to achieve their very significant growth ambitions, helping create new jobs and grow their sales.  Going for Growth is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

Left to right: Darina Barrett, KPMG (Going for Growth sponsor); Sarita Johnston, Enterprise Ireland (Going for Growth sponsor); Heather Humphreys, TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Paula Fitzsimons, Director, Going for Growth.

Going for Growth Celebrates its 10^th Anniversary

Smiles all around in 2017 – Going for Growth, the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs, goes from strength to strength as it marks its 10^th birthday. Over 550 female entrepreneurs have participated in the initiative to date.  Going for Growth is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

Left to right:  Ellen Kavanagh, previous participant, Monica Flood, Lead Entrepreneur and Paula Fitzsimons, Director, Going for Growth

Back for Business – New Entrepreneurship Programme for Returning Emigrants

Back for Business, a new initiative to support entrepreneurial activity among emigrants
returning or recently returned to live in Ireland, got underway on 27 November 2017.  The programme was developed and implemented by Fitzsimons Consulting and is fully funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Left to right: James Murphy, Lifes2good (Lead Entrepreneur);  Ciarán Cannon TD, Minister for the Diaspora and International Affairs; Áine Denn, Altify (Lead Entrepreneur).

 

ACORNS 3 – New Cycle Gets Underway

The third cycle of the ACORNS Programme for early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland got underway at a residential forum held in Mullingar on 23-24 October 2017.  Participants heard the inspirational stories of previous ACORNS participants and met with their Lead Entrepreneurs in round table sessions.

Left to right: Programme participants Linda Byrne, Linda Byrne Illustration; Dora-May Cousins, Dora-May’s Café; Tara Lane, Centrepiece Rosettes; Leah Purcell, Able Bodies Physiotherapy & Health.

 

Going for Growth Community Forum – September 2017

The annual Community Forum took place on 26-27 September 2017. On successful completion of a cycle, participants can stay connected by joining the Going for Growth Community and take part in a series of events throughout the year, including the Community Forum.

Left to right:  Lead entrepreneur Oonagh O’Hagan with former participants Ellen Kavanagh, Waxperts Wax; Katrina Kelly, K2 Hair and Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd.

 

Going for Growth 9^th Cycle Celebration

The end of the 9^th cycle of Going for Growth was marked with a celebratory event on Thursday 15 June 2017 at the offices of KPMG, one of the sponsors of the programme, along with Enterprise Ireland.  The participants reported an increase in their combined sales of over €20million over the six months of the cycle, bringing their total sales to over €136million. Between them they employed an additional 187 people full time, bringing their combined total to 1,250 people, an increase of 17.5% over the six month cycle.

Back Left to right: Siobhan Rogers, Costigan’s Pharmacy; Margaret Robb, Sweet Little Babies; Kate Dillon, The Wooden Spoon; Breda O’Sullivan, Bluebell Falls; Ailish Ryan, Mockness.

Front Left to right: Marie Looby, PereGreen Energy; Fidelma McGuirk, Lead Entrepreneur; Heidi Higgins.

 

ACORNS 2 Celebration

The second cycle of the ACORNS programme was brought to a successful conclusion at a two-day residential forum on 3-4 April 2017. Over 100 female entrepreneurs have taken part in ACORNS to date, and past participants testify to the difference this programme has made both to themselves and to their businesses.

 

Left to right: Aveline O’Sullivan, Bloom in a Box; Brigid Riley, Fernwood; Trín O’Brien, Wellnice Pops; Andrew Doyle TD, Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture; Maria Brosnan, Bake it Easy; Maura Sheehy, Maura’s Cottage Flowers.

 

Going for Growth 9^th Cycle gets underway – launched by Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor – 17 February 2017

The 9^th cycle of Going for Growth got underway on Friday 17 February 2017, when it was launched by Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.  The award winning programme is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, and will support 80 female entrepreneurs to grow their businesses over the next six months. These participants are drawn from right across the country, and with the support of Going for Growth aim to significantly increase their turnover and grow employment over the coming years.

Left to right: Olivia Lynch, KPMG (Going for Growth sponsor), Mary Mitchell O’Connor, TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Paula Fitzsimons, Director, Going for Growth, Orla Battersby, Enterprise Ireland (Going for Growth sponsor).

 

ACORNS 2 Gets Underway

Following the highly successful pilot phase of the ACORNS Programme, phase 2  got underway on 10-11 October 2016 at a residential forum at the Mullingar Park Hotel.  ACORNS is specifically designed for early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who wish to start and develop new businesses.   The initiative has been developed by Fitzsimons Consulting and is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund, and there is no charge for successful applicants.

Left to right: Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice, Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Geraldine Byrne, Mediskin and Paula Fitzsimons, ACORNS.

 

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland 2016

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland 2016 has been launched.  Enterprise Ireland, supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, sponsored the publication, which was authored by Paula Fitzsimons of Fitzsimons Consulting and Dr Colm O’Gorman Professor of Entrepreneurship, DCU Business School.

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland 2015

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report for Ireland 2015 has been launched.  Enterprise Ireland, supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, sponsored the publication, which was authored by Paula Fitzsimons of Fitzsimons Consulting and Dr Colm O’Gorman Professor of Entrepreneurship, DCU Business School.

A copy of the report can be downloaded here.

ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs, Anne Reilly (Paycheck Plus), Caroline McEnery (The HR Suite) and Anne Cusack (Critical Healthcare) pictured at the Residential Forum, April 2016.

 

Going for Growth featured on Euronews Business Planet

Paula Fitzsimons, Director, Going for Growth features with Volunteer Lead Entrepreneur, Caroline Keeling, of Keelings Fruit and Participant, Isolde Johnson of the Cool Bean Company.

In this edition of Business Planet (March 2016), host Giacomo Segantini visited Dublin to meet Paula Fitzsimons, a woman at the heart of female entrepreneurship initiatives in Ireland. Going for Growth, which is funded by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, is based around peer-led roundtable sessions. Each roundtable is hosted by an experienced business leader, known as a ‘Lead Entrepreneur.’

Click here for more.