It was announced last week that a Competitive Start Fund (CSF) competition worth up to €750,000 in funding from Enterprise Ireland will open for applications to early stage companies in manufacturing and internationally traded services on Wednesday, 13 September 2017.  
 
Up to 15 successful applicants will receive high-level business development support and an investment of up to €50,000 each. The CSF is designed to accelerate the growth of start-ups and enable companies to reach key commercial and technical milestones
 
This is Enterprise Ireland’s seventh Competitive Start Fund in 2017 and is open to all sectors with a focus on agricultural, manufacturing, life sciences and renewables subsectors. Applications are invited from companies that are active in the relevant industrial sectors or individuals who, prior to Enterprise Ireland’s investment, are based in Ireland and have a headquarters registered here. Other criteria apply.
 
In addition to written online applications, companies will be asked to prepare an online video pitch. The fund will close for applications at 3pm on Wednesday 27 September 2017. 
 
Launching the CSF, An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald TD said, "Start-up businesses offering innovative products and services are the lifeblood of the economy and Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund injects vital early stage funding into companies who have the potential to thrive in international markets."

She added, "Now that the rates of early stage entrepreneurship in Ireland have returned to pre-recession levels, the success of start-up activity will depend on this kind of funding as well as the crucial advice, training and business introductions offered by Enterprise Ireland to successful CSF applicants."

Source: www.businessworld.ie