€750k Fund – What are you waiting for!

19th January 2017

Posted In: FYI

Enterprise Ireland has recently announced a new Competitive Start Fund (CSF) totalling up to €750k to support start up activity in all sectors. The Fund which provides €50,000 in equity funding for each successful applicant will open for submissions on

Wednesday 25th January and will close at 3pm, Wednesday 8th February 2017.

The Competitive Start Fund provides entrepreneurs and start-ups in all sectors with the critical early stage funding to test the market for their products and services and progress their business plans for the global marketplace. The fund is designed to enable those companies reach key commercial and technical milestones, to include:

Evaluate overseas market opportunities and reach firm conclusions regarding the viability of the proposed business

Build a prototype

Secure a reference site

Develop a market entry plan for exploiting international opportunities

Secure partnership deal or strategic alliance

Identify suitable channels to international markets

Secure third party investment

The fund is open to applications from individuals, early stage companies or prospective businesses active in the Manufacturing & Internationally Traded Services sectors which includes the following subsectors: Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Cleantech and Industrial Products.

The all sector CSF is part of Enterprise Ireland’s strategy for increasing the number and quality of High Potential Start-Up Companies (HPSUs) that have the potential to employ more than 10 persons and achieve €1 million in export sales within three years.

Commenting on the announcement, Orla Battersby, Enterprise Ireland Manager, High Potential Start Up Division, said: “A priority for Enterprise Ireland is to help Irish entrepreneurs and companies to start up and scale. The all sector Competitive Start Fund provides a support platform and a vital injection of funding totaling up to €750,000 to help launch young companies with global ambition and their business ideas to an international market.”

(Pictured at the launch announcement Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD and Orla Battersby, Enterprise Ireland Manager, High Potential Start-Up Division).

For more details visit: http://bit.ly/2cwH9sQ