Closing date for entries to Endeavour funding programme looms next week

START-UP businesses have until January 26, to apply for entry to Endeavour, the funding programme run by entrepreneur Jerry Kennelly, Kernel Capital and Kerry Group.

Each company that makes it to phase two receives initial funding of €5,000. Companies that qualify from the initial two-month phase can access venture funding of €100,000 and upwards through Kernel Capital. Last year’s participants have a combined fund of €10m.

Endeavour co-founder Jerry Kennelly, said: “Our six-month second phase will culminate in an investor week where Endeavour participants will pitch to Silicon Valley and London venture capitalists.”

Launched initially with Shannon Development and IT Tralee, Endeavour this year teams up with the Kerry Group as corporate partner. The Group employs 20,000 people.

Kerry Group chief executive Stan McCarthy said: “We started off small, but we now have a global footprint. The international focus of our management team and the critical understanding of the high standards required when start-up companies want to sell to the multinational sector position us to advise participants at a level they can’t receive in any other programme in Ireland.”

Endeavour phase one is open to founders (people who have an idea for a business) and potential co-founders including programmers, designers, engineers, managers, etc (without ideas). Ideas will become business concepts and teams will be created with co-founders, all supported by leading technology and business mentors.

Phase two participants will build these concepts into global businesses with access to personal mentors, and specialist US and Asian mentor teams. Mentors include Stan McCarthy, Liam Casey, Anne Heraty, Michael Carey, Dave Roynane, Hugh O’Donnell, Dave Bobett, Pat O’Flynn, Frank Salmon, Michael Dawson and Jim Breen.

The programme starts on February 1 in Dublin and Kerry. For applications and further information, visit: www.endeavour.biz