Food Works 2015 aims to help young companies realise potential
The programme aims to help young companies to realise their full potential to achieve significant scale and become major international businesses in markets across the globe. The ideal candidates are ambitious entrepreneurs or companies less than four years trading that wish to target new export markets and scale their business.
The call for future participants was made at the conclusion this week of Food Works 2014. Launched in 2012, some 43 start-ups from dairy, snacks, meat, seafood and beverages have participated in the first two years of this programme, selected following a competitive process attracting in excess of 150 applications.
Among the success stories celebrated this week was IASC (Atlantic Seafood Company of Ireland), a Cork-based company producing a range of Irish shellfish butters using Irish mussels, brown crabmeat and wild foraged Dillisk seaweed.
Branded as the world’s first Umami butter, IASC’s versatile products are used as traditional butters and/or a natural flavour enhancer and ingredient for fish dishes, steak, risottos and chowder. Along with listings in 30 Musgrave’s outlets, the products are used by more than 300 food service outlets and restaurants across Britain and Ireland. IASC has also received HPSU investment from Enterprise Ireland.
Also praised was Elivar, the world’s first range of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals tailored specifically for athletes and active sports people over 35 years of age participated in the inaugural Food Works programme. The company, owned and managed by Donal Hanrahan and Len Dunne, has since secured investment through Enterprise Ireland and the Halo Business Angel Partnership and is currently focusing on sales in the British market.
Food Works was set up to nurture export-orientated entrepreneurs in Ireland’s growing food and drink industry. Through workshops and one-to-one mentoring, participants are given a range of practical business supports required to develop an initial concept into a food product with international appeal and global export potential.
— For more information: www.foodworksireland.ie
