Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

L-R, Sarita Johnson, programme manager, Richard Bruton, Justin Conboy, DRS Drag Reduction Shane O'Neill Fennell Photograph
Seed fund

Entrepreneurship shortfall targeted by €500,000 graduate fund

Applications for up to €50,000 in funding are being sought from recent college-leavers.

ENTERPRISE IRELAND HAS launched a new half-million euro fund to try and encourage graduates to start-up their own business.

The EI Competitive Start Fund was launched by jobs minister Richard Bruton today.

The fund will provide up to €50,000 for each successful applicant, and will open for applications on Wednesday 9 July.

Minister Bruton said the fund would address a short fall in the start-up space.

“We have great entrpreneurs and start-up businesses – we just don’t have enough of them. That is why we have specifically targeted, as part of our action plan for jobs, and improved performance in this area.”

The fund we are announcing today…is aimed at encouraging more graduates to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice. I urge any graduate with a good business idea to get involved.

Applications are being sought from the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector for businesses involved in internet, games, apps, mobile, SaaS (software as a service), cloud computing, enterprise software, life sciences, food, cleantech or industrial products.

EI’s head of scaling and high potential start-ups Lisa Vaughan said: “This fund is the first of its type for graduates and will provide a package of financial and developmental supports.”

Men ‘twice as likely’ as women to set up their own business>

Meet the creative entrepreneurs who fought the slump – together>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
9
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.