White welcomes new €500,000 fund for women starting new businesses

Today I welcomed a new €500,000 Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund, which will help ambitious business women to start new enterprises.

The initiative is part of Enterprise Ireland’s drive by to boost the number of innovative, export-oriented businesses being set up and led by female entrepreneurs.

The fund is open to female-led start-ups in manufacturing and internationally-traded services. Applications will be considered on a competitive basis, with financial support in the form of equity investment. Applications to the fund, which provides for up to €50,000 for each successful applicant, must be submitted by 3pm on Wednesday 25th November 2015.

We have many innovative and ambitious female entrepreneurs in Dublin Rathdown, and the Government is supporting this initiative to encourage more. By targeting female entrepreneurs, the €500,000 Competitive Start Fund will give a real boost to women who want to get involved in starting international businesses, and create more jobs in Dublin.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland, said: “Ensuring that innovative and ambitious business women realise their full potential is critical to Irish economic prosperity and a major priority for Enterprise Ireland. This Competitive Start Fund represents a strategic investment by Enterprise Ireland in female-led start-ups. The Fund will support women to expand their business horizons and set up viable companies that can win business in international markets and create jobs at home”.

Full details of the Fund and the application form are available on the Enterprise Ireland web site: www.enterprise-ireland.com/ambitiouswomen. Closing date for applications is 3pm, Wednesday 25 November 2015.