Two new Competitive Start Funds (CSFs) totalling up to €1 million to support overseas entrepreneurs and start-ups led by experienced business professionals, have been announced by Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD. The funds, which will run simultaneously, will be administered by Enterprise Ireland.
Each fund will provide up to €50,000 in equity funding for up to 10 successful applicants and opened for submissions on Tuesday, August 21 – closing on Tuesday, September 4.
The CSF for overseas entrepreneurs is a competition specifically for start-ups that are currently based overseas but are willing to relocate to Ireland, while the CSF for experienced business professionals is directed at highly experienced business professionals with 25 years or more of relevant business experience in Ireland or abroad, of which at least 10 years should be at a senior or leadership level.
As well as securing up to €50k in funding, the successful applicants to the CSF for experienced business professionals will have the opportunity to participate in a business development programme delivered over three months by DCU Ryan Academy.
The 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.
Full details on the Competitive Start Fund, including the application form, can be accessed on the Enterprise Ireland website: www.enterprise-ireland.com/CSF
