Early stage female entrepreneurs, living in County Wexford, are invited to apply for a place on the ACORNS programme, Fine Gael Minister Michael D’Arcy has said.
The intention is to provide up to 50 entrepreneurs, based in rural Ireland, with the knowledge, support and networking opportunities to meet and even exceed their current aspirations.
Minister D’Arcy said: “The ACORNS Programme is based on the principle that entrepreneurs learn best from each other.
“The ACORNS initiative is focused on interactive round table sessions that are facilitated by female entrepreneurs who have started and successfully grown businesses in rural Ireland.
“It is designed to help provide female entrepreneurs who are in the process of setting up a business, or have recently started one with the knowledge, support and networking opportunities to meet and even exceed their current aspirations.

MIN. MICHAEL D’ARCY

“The programme has proved very successful so far. Over 150 female entrepreneurs have taken part in ACORNS to date with many reporting increased sales, exports and job creation.” the Wexford Minister said.
Launching the call for applicants, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, said: “I am delighted to continue to provide support to this initiative through my Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund.”
The programme will run from October 2018 until April 2019. Selected participants will be those who, on a competitive basis, best demonstrate their potential to advance their businesses and their commitment to fully engage in the initiative.
The deadline for application for this year’s cycle is September 21st.