Call for top food and drink start-ups this October

L-R: Paddy Callaghan, Nature's Best; Pat Rigney, The Shed Distillery; Ann Murray, Lí­r Chocolates; John O'Brien, O'Brien Fine Foods announced as ambassadors for this year's Food Works Programme. (Photo: Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography)

A series of regional clinics nationwide, including one taking place at Teagasc Moorepark, Co. Cork on Tuesday, October 2 will be held with a view to attracting applications from start-ups with a significant potential, in the food and drink related business.

On the day, interested attendees will be assessed for their suitability for the programme, and applications are welcome across all stages of development, from budding start-ups to serial entrepreneurs.

Food Works – Ireland’s leading accelerator programme – is an intensive programme which guides successful participants from the initial concept phase through to the development of a winning food product with international appeal and global export potential.

This includes the provision of a full range of practical business supports designed to provide participants with an investor-ready business plan.

To kick-start the recruitment campaign for Food Works 2019, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc have announced the coming together of some of Ireland’s best business minds to help develop the next batch of serial food and drink entrepreneurs and high potential start-ups, who will offer broad industry expertise and mentoring capabilities to the programme.

Over the last five years, Food Works has worked with 76 food and drink companies to develop scalable and export focussed business ideas.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Individuals or companies who would like to learn more about the Food Works programme are asked to register for an introductory meeting on www.foodworksireland.ie in advance of completing a formal application.

A series of regional meetings with the Food Works team are scheduled over the next two months and following the Teagasc, Moore Park event 2nd October, 2018: Cork, there will be another chance to attend a meeting in Munster on October 23, at Enterprise Ireland, Shannon

Following the formal application process, finalists will be shortlisted to take part in an industry-led bootcamp in January, following which the successful final programme participants will be selected.

Visit www.foodworksireland.ie