Diocese of Ferns map.

Graduates are being encouraged to apply for a new €500,000 Government Competitive Start Fund, which has been launched by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys.

Wexford’s Minister Michael D’Arcy said final year students, and graduates with a third-level qualification within the last three years, who have a start-up company can now apply for the Government new start-up fund worth a total of €500,000. Up to 10 successful applicants will be awarded up to €50,000 each.

“The fund is aimed at those working across manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors including sub-sectors such as cloud computing, software-as-a-service, enterprise software, clean tech, gaming, mobile, apps and Life Sciences.”

The Fund is now open for applications until 3 pm on Tuesday, April 24^th.

Applicants must apply though Enterprise Ireland at www.enterprise-ireland.com/graduatecsf where they will find full information on the fund as well as the eligibility criteria. In addition to written online applications, companies will be asked to prepare an online video pitch.