Ireland’s leading accelerator for high-potential food and drink start-ups, Food Works, have announced the call for applications to its 2026 programme.
Food Works combines the expertise and resources of the three state agencies – Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc – to fast-track growth, providing participants with investor-readiness training, expert mentorship, and access to world-class facilities for product development. The ten-month programme is designed to help food and drink entrepreneurs scale faster and smarter.
Taking part in the programme has been shown to dramatically improve the odds for new food businesses – companies that participate in Food Works are five times more likely to remain in business.
The state-funded initiative has already helped over 130 ambitious companies to launch, scale or secure investment since its launch in 2012. This includes Cork-based business, Femme Biome. The programme has been instrumental in the success of brands such as All Real Nutrition, Grá Chocolates, Chimac, Valentia Island Vermouth and Wicklow Wolf, proving its role as a launchpad for some of Ireland’s best-known innovators.
This year’s Food Works cohort features an exciting mix of start-ups such as Bamboolas, BioVit, Femme Biome, Fierce Mild, Ól, RYSE, Sligo Bay Oysters, and Smokin Bones; companies shaping the future of food, from biotech and nutrition to innovative flavours and sustainable seafood.
Food Works runs annually from February to November and since the programme began, Enterprise Ireland has invested over €8.02 million in Food Works companies including 24 High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) and 29 PSSF/CSF investments.
If you want to be the next successful food, drink or ingredients entrepreneur, make sure you apply by the closing date of the 28th November. Full details and an application form are available at FoodWorksIreland.ie
