‘Food Works’ Seeking Food Entrepreneurs
24th February 2016
Food Works, an intensive business development and accelerator programme designed for food and drink start-ups is seeking ambitious individuals, with an interest in building an international food or drink business in Ireland. The programme is jointly run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc.
Through a series of workshops and one to one mentoring, successful participants are given an invaluable range of practical business supports required to develop an initial concept into a winning food product with global export potential. The available supports provided by Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland, include consumer market research, business plan development, technical advice, commercial viability testing in addition to access to fast track access to R&D facilities and possible investors and state funding.
Over the past three years, following a competitive process attracting in excess of 250 proposals, a total of 60 start-ups from all food sectors have participated in Food Works. The Food Works team have revealed that 60% of these businesses are now trading which is deemed extremely positive given the high rate of start-up failures within the first 12 months of launching, while 32% of them have started exporting.
Two companies who have participated are HiRo by Roisin and Bean & Goose. Roisin Hogan, HiRo by Roisin said: “The programme has been invaluable in helping my business to reach its full potential bringing what started as a simple idea in my kitchen to a reality, with HiRo by Roisin recently receiving a listing in all 223 of SuperValu stores.”
Sisters and Chocolatiers Natalie and Karen Keane, Bean and Goose added: “Developing a food business can be a daunting task; however this programme offers the necessary practical supports for any entrepreneur considering this move. It was a great opportunity for us to access the expertise of Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland whose support has enabled us to put a business plan in place that will grow Bean and Goose in the coming years.“
Interested participants are invited to register online for an introduction meeting in Dublin, Fermoy or Athenry via www.foodworksireland.ie
(Pictured L-R: Roisin Hogan, HiRo by Roisin, and Natalie and Karen Keane, Bean and Goose.)
