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New programme for early stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland

Written by Robert McHugh, on 13th Aug 2019. Posted in Agriculture

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ACORNS 5, a development initiative to support female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, has today put out a call for new applicants.

The call for applications follows the launch of the programme today by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD. ACORNS is funded under the department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

Over 200 female entrepreneurs have taken part in ACORNS to date and 50 new participants are being sought for ACORNS 5. The programme will run over six months from October 2019 to April 2020. The deadline for applications for this year’s cycle is 20th September 2019.

Any woman with a new business based in rural Ireland — or an idea for a new venture they want to get off the ground — can get more information and register their interest at www.acorns.ie. There is no charge for participation.

ACORNS is based on peer support and collaborative learning. Each participant will have the opportunity to learn from successful female entrepreneurs – ‘Lead Entrepreneurs’.

Acting in a voluntary capacity, these Lead Entrepreneurs will share their insights and experience with the group and help the participants to address the issues and challenges they face in progressing their businesses. They also act as role models, illustrating by their actions that it is possible to start and grow a successful business in rural Ireland.

This year, the Lead Entrepreneurs are: 
Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice, Laois 
Anne Cusack, Critical Healthcare, Westmeath 
Anne Reilly, Paycheck Plus, Louth 
Caroline McEnery, The HR Suite, Kerry 
Deirdre McGlone, formerly Harvey’s Point Hotel, Donegal 
Eimer Hannon, Eimer Hannon Travel, Meath 
Mary B. Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets, Wexford 
Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies, Galway

Many past participants of ACORNS report increased exports and job creation. Progress made by the 46 participants that completed ACORNS 4 (the last cycle), which ran from October 2018 to April 2019, demonstrates these encouraging outcomes:

Combined turnover for participants is €2.3m – an increase of 43% over the six-month programme cycle;
Thirteen participants became exporters for the first time;
19 additional part-time employees were hired during the cycle, with 26 companies planning to hire additional staff this year;
86% said ACORNS brought about practical change within their business; 95% felt nearer to achieving their ambitions and 100% would recommend participating in ACORNS to others.

 
Past participants of ACORNS are also invited to participate in a further development phase and to join the ACORNS Community, so they can continue to build their support network of valuable connections.

Paula Fitzsimons, Founder and Managing Director of Fitzsimons Consulting, the company that developed the ACORNS initiative, said that the rate of early-stage entrepreneurial activity increased among women in Ireland in 2018, while remaining stable for men. On average, 850 women are starting a new business every month in Ireland. The rate of nascent female entrepreneurs in Ireland is now ranked 5th across Europe.

Welcoming the programme, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed said, "The ACORNS programme is a tremendous opportunity for early stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland to help them realise their ambitions. I would urge those who have recently started or are about to start a new business to apply to participate in this exciting initiative, as it is an opportunity not to be missed."

Source: www.businessworld.ie

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