Jobs Minister Richard Bruton has launched a new Enterprise Ireland Competitive Feasibility Fund for Agri-Business, at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.
The fund is worth $250k, and is aimed at stimulating new start-up companies in the agri-business sector in Ireland. It is now open for applications, until 21 October.
The Minister said that the Competitive Feasibility Fund will enable promoters to reach a conclusion as to the applicant project’s viability, be it a growth oriented business or proposition, and to propose strategies for developing and commercialising the product or service on international markets.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Bruton said, “A key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs is targeting specific sectors where we have established strengths, and supporting growth and expansion in these areas in order to create jobs.
“Food is clearly one such sector, and in the three years since we launched our plan we have seen major job growth in this area. The aim now is to sustain and build on this growth, by encouraging and supporting more people to start and expand businesses in this area.”
Tom Hayes, Enterprise Ireland’s Head of Micro Enterprise and Small Business urged those in the Agri-Business Sector to “utilise this unique sector-specific offering to explore the feasibility of any new business growth opportunities open to them.”
