A total of 50 new female entrepreneurs will be selected to participate in the ACORNS programme in 2020, but applications must be submitted by Monday 21 September.

ACORNS stands for accelerating the creation of rural nascent start-ups.

Any woman with a new business based in rural Ireland - or a well-developed idea for a new venture they want to get off the ground - can get more information and register their interest at www.acorns.ie.

More than 250 entrepreneurs have taken part in the ACORNS initiative over the last five years.

There is no charge to participate, as the programme is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under its Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

The initiative will be run on a part-time basis over six months from October 2020 to April 2021.

Peer learning

ACORNS is based on peer support and collaborative learning. Each participant will have the opportunity to learn from successful female entrepreneurs - lead entrepreneurs - who act in a voluntary capacity.

As they are all based in rural Ireland, the lead entrepreneurs are all running successful businesses in rural Ireland and will share their insights and experiences with the participants to address the issues and challenges they face when starting and growing a business.

The voluntary lead entrepreneurs this year are Anne Reilly of Paycheck Plus, Co Louth; Caroline McEnery of The HR Suite, Co Kerry; Mary B Walsh of Ire Wel Pallets, Wexford; Eimer Hannon of Hannon Travel, Co Meath; Larissa Feeney of Accountant Online, Co Donegal; and Triona MacGiolla Rí of Aró Digital Strategies, Co Galway.

Fitzsimons Consulting, specialising in entrepreneurship and growth, developed the initiative.

Founder Paula Fitzsimons said: “ACORNS is a real grassroots movement, illustrating the strength of peer support, with entrepreneurs supporting one another.

"Psychological isolation is reduced, confidence is increased and new networks are formed. This initiative has never been more vital than in the current climate.”

Eligibility criteria for participation

To be considered for ACORNS, applicants must:

  • Have set up a new business which has generated sales no earlier than 1 January 2018; or be actively planning a new venture and have made good progress towards getting the new venture off the ground. Indicators of actively planning a business would include organising the start-up team, sourcing equipment or facilities, money saved for the start-up, writing the business plan, etc.
  • They must own or part-own the business, which must be located in a rural area, that is in an area outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
  • If selected, applicants must be available to attend the virtual launch on the morning of 22 October and the first round-table session the following morning. This will take place either in person or remotely, depending on prevailing circumstances and Government guidelines.
  • They must expect to become an employer within three years.

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