Tasty opportunity for Irish food entrepreneurs
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 | | | Pictured (l-r): Talya Lewin-Russell, co-founder of Superlife and her 4 month old baby Oraya, pictured with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD and the Minister for Small Business John Perry TD | |
Food Works 2013, a training and development programme aimed at finding and supporting Ireland’s next generation food entrepreneurs, is now recruiting for its second year.
The programme, jointly run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, is open to all determined, ambitious and energetic individuals or companies with an interest in building an international food business and jobs in Ireland.
In 2012, Food Works attracted almost 100 applications. Following a staged competitive process, the Food Works team is currently working with 11 new export-orientated Irish food and drink companies across the dairy, snacks, seafood and beverages sectors.
In addition to support from the Irish advertising industry through IAPI, each successful participant has a dedicated business advisor, attends regular workshops with expert speakers and industry peers, has access to Bord Bia’s consumer and market insight, receives feasibility funding from Enterprise Ireland and technical R&D assistance from Teagasc.
Speaking at the launch of Food Works 2013 Minister Coveney commented: “Ireland’s food exports reached a record high of €9 billion in 2012 and it is an exciting time to be involved with the agri-food sector. I would encourage anyone with the enthusiasm and drive to bring a new food product to market, to apply. Ultimately, we want to start a pipeline of new food businesses with the ability to create jobs”.
Minister Perry added: “to develop and launch an entirely new food product can be a daunting task; however this programme offers the necessary supports for any entrepreneur considering this move”.
For successful participants, available supports will include consumer market research, business plan development, technical advice, commercial viability testing in addition to access research and development (R&D) facilities and possible investors. Candidates may apply on an individual basis, as part of a team or a company if it has been in existence for less than two years.
An information day for prospective entrepreneurs will be held at the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School in Dublin on Saturday, 13th April. Interested parties will then be asked to submit a detailed online application before Monday, 29th April.
For more information on Food Works 2013 or to register for the information day visit www.foodworksireland.ie
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