Food Works – Apply Now for 2020
12th December 2019
The Food Works 2019 Finale took place in Dublin at the end of last month where the showcase of participants exemplified the diversity of food and drink start ups in Ireland. This year’s participants included T4 Adventure’s trekking meals, Silk Tree Botanics’ alcohol-free spirit, Clintons Crisps, Unwind, sugar free bars to help unwind, Heroic Oat, an oat-based savoury crisp product and Ireland’s first snail farm Gaelic Escargot based in Carlow.
The programme is a combined initiative of Enterprise Ireland, Teagasc and Bord Bia.The finale event was an opportunity for the six participants to present their product, progress and plans to an influential and interested group of Ireland’s top food and drink business minds. Attendees at the event included Food Works mentors John Stapleton, co-founder of the New Covent Garden Soup Company and Little Dish, and Joanna Walker, food retail expert and former buyer with Sainsbury’s and M&S, as well as Food Works ambassdors David McKernan of Java Republic, Ann Murray of Lír Chocolates, Pat Rigney of The Shed Distillery, Larry Murrin of Dawn Farm Foods and John O’Brien of O’Brien Fine Foods.
Speaking about their experience on the Food Works programme, Tracy Cassidy, founder and director of Silk Tree Botanics said, “Our experience on the Foodworks programme has really accelerated our growth potential. We worked with excellent mentors who guided us through building a robust business plan. The research carried out by An Bord Bia was invaluable in gaining consumer insights. We feel very privileged to have taken part in this programme which has catapulted Silk Tree up to the next level.”
Now that the 2019 programme is complete, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, are encouraging emerging food and drink entrepreneurs to apply for the 2020 programme here>>
Food Works is the only programme of its kind in Ireland, where three government agencies have come together to help develop innovative food and drink start-ups into commercially viable businesses with export potential. The supports offered by the Food Works programme are valued at over €50,000 and include in-depth consultancy and advice from the three agencies, access to consumer and market research, feasibility funding and bespoke mentoring with industry experts.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 7th February 2020. The Food Works 2020 programme will start on Tuesday, 10th March 2020. For further information visit here>>
