A total of €500,000 in start-up funding will be available from Enterprise Ireland when a new Competitive Start Fund (CSF) competition targeted at Experienced Business Professionals opens for applications on Wednesday 11 October 2017.
This CSF is directed at mature and highly experienced business professionals with 25 years or more of relevant business experience in Ireland or abroad, of which at least 10 years should be at a senior or leadership level.
Up to 10 successful applicants will receive high-level business development support and an investment of up to €50,000 each. Enterprise Ireland’s CSF is designed to accelerate the growth of start-ups and enable companies to reach key commercial and technical milestones.
As well as securing up to €50,000 in funding, the successful applicants will have the opportunity to participate in a business development programme. Delivered over three months by DCU Ryan Academy and Ireland’s Smart Ageing Exchange (ISAX), the programme will increase the capabilities of the participants and move them to investor-ready within a short period.
The fund is open to companies active in manufacturing and internationally traded services including Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Cleantech and Industrial Products.
Joe Healy, Divisional Manager, High Potential Start-Ups, Enterprise Ireland said: “This Competitive Start Fund for Experienced Business Professionals is targeting a group that has accumulated significant business knowledge and leadership experience at a senior level, both indigenous and international. It aims to provide the financial support required to get a start-up off the ground and this will be further enhanced with the addition of a tailored accelerator programme which will help bridge any existing skills gap in starting and growing a business.”
In addition to written online applications, companies will be asked to prepare an online video pitch. Applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria.
The CSF competition will close at 3pm on Wednesday 25 October 2017.
Full details are available here.
