Female entrepreneurs encouraged to sign up for ACORNS programme

RURAL female entrepreneurs are being encouraged to access government supports to get their fledgling start-up businesses growing.

Minister for agriculture, food and the marine Martin Heydon recently launched the latest round of the ACORNS programme. ACORNS stands for ‘Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-Ups’ and the deadline for applications is midnight on 22 September.

Minister Heydon explained that following a decade of support from his department for female rural entrepreneurs under the Rural Innovation Development Fund, the latest cycle of ACORNS is now up and running.

The programme continues to go from strength to strength and has supported more than 550 women in rural Ireland over the last ten years.

Minister Heydon said: “The ACORNS programme is a hugely successful programme, designed to support early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland. It aims to address the skills, enterprise and capability gaps that female entrepreneurs can face and, in doing so, provides support to help overcome the barriers which often limit entrepreneurial activity in rural areas.” 

 The call for applications comes as the ACORNS programme has been selected as the country’s national entry for the European Enterprise Promotion Awards in the investing in entrepreneurial skills category.

“Encouraging female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland to apply for support under the ACORNS programme will help them realise their dreams of starting and growing successful businesses,” minister Heydon continued.

Last year’s ACORNS 10 proved to be a successful programme and has produced real tangible results, including four businesses which started trading during the course and the combined annual turnover of ACORNS 10 participants grew by 54%, increasing from €2.8m to €4.3m. Participants employed a total of 104 staff at the end of the cycle and 18 people had export experience.

Mary B Walsh of Ire Wel Pallets and ACORNS lead entrepreneur said it was a pleasure to be a lead entrepreneur on the ACORNS programme for the 11th year in a row.

“I was delighted with the progress from previous participants and to see their development and growth on a personal and professional level. I look forward to supporting female colleagues living in rural Ireland at the earliest stage of their entrepreneurial journey.” 

ACORNS is a free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs based in rural Ireland. It is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund operated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.