Teagasc launches rural business innovation award

Teagasc have today launched a new award scheme aimed at farmers and the rural community.

The JFC Innovation Awards for Rural Business will offer a prize fund of €30,000 for farming entrepreneurs to get fledgling businesses off the ground.

The award, launched at the recent Teagasc Rural Entrepreneurship Conference in Mullingar today, is a 'kickstart' competition where prizes are awarded for business ideas and plans, without the requirement to actually have a business up and running to enter.

The prize fund comprises of cash, advertising, mentoring and business support. The overall winners prize is valued at €15,000.

Entrants must complete the entry form and submit a business plan. Blank business plans are available on www.teagasc.ie.

Entries must be in by the end of November, regional and category winners will be announced in February and the all-Ireland final will take place in March.