Time is running out for early-stage female business entrepreneurs in rural areas to apply for the fifth annual Acorns business support initiative.

Successful Dragons Den contestant Sarah Nic Lochlainn of Aruna Sauces is among the nominees for this year’s Women Mean Business awards.

THERE is a 60/40 Dublin- Cork breakdown in the 150-plus firms registered for next week’s CORKMEET DUBLIN 2011 networking forum in the Croke Park Conference Centre.