Closing date for latest round of ACORNS just days away
The deadline for the female entrepreneurs in rural areas to apply for latest cycle of the ACORNS programme falls this week.
The deadline for those hoping to take part in the 12th cycle of the free programme is this Friday (September 18).
ACORNS, which stands for Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups, has delivered significant results for some 600 female entrepreneurs who have participated in the programme since its foundation in 2015.
ACORNS
ACORNS is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
There are up to 50 places available in ACORNS 12 which will run from October until April 2027.
The programme is open to early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who have generated sales no earlier than the end of June 2023.
Developed by Fitzsimons Consulting on the belief that early- stage entrepreneurs learn best from their peers, ACORNS brings together participants for monthly round table sessions facilitated by a lead entrepreneur with first-hand experience of starting and successfully growing a business in rural Ireland.
This year’s voluntary lead entrepreneurs include, Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice (Laois); Geraldine Jones, Skin Formulas (Tipperary) Karen Kerrigan, Kerrigan’s Mushrooms (Meath); Larissa Feeney, Kinore (Donegal); Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets (Wexford); Orla Leahy, Ireland Chauffeur Travel (Tipperary) and Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies (Galway).
In addition, Anne Cusack and Geraldine Kelly, who are on the Going for Growth advisory panel, will also facilitate 'ACORNS Plus' round tables for previous participants who want to continue the development of their businesses.
Entrepreneurs
As the deadline approaches, Paula Fitzsimons, director of ACORNS, encouraged "any woman in rural Ireland who is in the early stages of developing a new business to apply for ACORNS 12".
"The programme offers the opportunity to learn from experienced entrepreneurs based in rural Ireland, share challenges and build the confidence and skills needed to grow a profitable business.
"Revenue growth among participants in the last cycle, where joint turnover increased from €4.1m to almost €6m in the six months of the programme, demonstrates the real impact that ACORNS can have for women building businesses in rural Ireland.
"Participants also created almost 60 new jobs and made tangible progress towards their business ambitions.
"Year after year, ACORNS delivers excellent results for female entrepreneurs and we are looking forward to reviewing applications ahead of the next cycle beginning in October this year," she said.
The window for applications will close at midnight on Friday, September 18.
Those wishing to apply must first register their interest via the ACORNS website, they will then be sent an application by email.
