Agencies make €5,000 grant available for food entrepreneurs

Creative food entrepreneurs can avail of expert industry advice and a €5,000 feasibility grant by applying for the new Food Works initiative launched yesterday by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc.

The state agencies want to draw up a shortlist of 30 applicants who can help drive exports in Ireland’s fastest growing indigenous industry. Working with experienced food company owners, Bord Bia and its partners are seeking detailed online applications by Monday, May 14.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said: “Food Works is an opportunity for new food entrepreneurs to build great food businesses. The Food Harvest 2020 report highlighted entrepreneurship as essential to building a successful indigenous food industry and to developing and nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship.

“Our target of growing food exports by 50% to €12bn before 2020 is ambitious; it requires huge commitment by private and public interests. Food Works is an example of development agencies working together in a new way to improve growth opportunities. I look forward to it fostering new food businesses with high potential for development.”

Food Works is designed for food entrepreneurs with ambitious, scalable ideas or export plans. Candidates may apply on an individual basis, as part of a team or a company in existence for less than two years.

Stage one involves three open-call information evenings: Tayto Park, Ashbourne, Co Meath, on Monday, Mar 26; Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, on Wednes-day, Mar 28; and UCC (Western Gateway Building), Cork, Thursday, Mar 29.

Attendees will meet representatives from Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, as well as food entrepreneurs such as Ray Coyle, Largo Foods (Tayto), Mary Ann O’Brien, Lily O’Brien’s chocolates, and Michael Carey, chairman of Bord Bia and The Company of Food.

In April, workshops and open evenings will take place. In June, a panel from Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Teagasc and entrepreneurs will select 30 applicants who will receive mentoring, consumer insight con-sultancy, R&D support and a €5,000 feasibility grant.

All concepts and ideas will be stress-tested with consumers in Ireland and key overseas markets. Following this 15 particip-ants will move on to the final stage to develop an investor-ready business plan.

* For more information on Food Works visit: www.foodworksireland.ie