Enterprise Ireland Announce Start-Up Funding Of €1.5m

Enterprise Ireland has announced a total of €1.5 million in start-up funding across two Competitive Start Fund (CSF) competitions, which will open for applications on Wednesday 21 June 2017.

Up to 30 successful applicants will receive high-level business development support and an investment of up to €50,000 each through the Regional Entrepreneurship and Fintech CSFs. Enterprise Ireland's CSF is designed to accelerate the growth of start-ups and enable companies to reach key commercial and technical milestones.

Start-ups located outside of County Dublin are invited to apply to the €1m Regional Entrepreneurship CSF – this fund is also open to participants of the New Frontiers Phase 2 programme nationwide. Applications to the Fintech CSF will be accepted from early-stage companies offering a Financial Technology (Fintech) product or service.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O'Connor TD, said: "The launch of Enterprise Ireland's Regional Entrepreneurship and Fintech CSFs, amounting to a total of €1.5 million in funding, will provide valuable financial and business support to early stage companies who have global ambition for their businesses.

"Companies based outside of Dublin who successfully apply for the Regional Entrepreneurship CSF will avail of critical early stage funding and support for their businesses, while the Fintech CSF aims to stimulate start-up activity in the Fintech sector as part of the IFS2020 Strategy."

The funds are open to companies active in manufacturing and internationally traded services including Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Cleantech and Industrial Products.

Joe Healy, Divisional Manager, High Potential Start-Ups, Enterprise Ireland, said: "For the first time, up to 20 companies outside of County Dublin may be approved up to €50k each through Enterprise Ireland's largest ever Regional Entrepreneurship CSF, valued at up to €1 million. It's also the first time that we are specifically targeting participants of the New Frontiers Phase 2 programme.

"Ireland is a hub for Fintech innovation and a key focus of Enterprise Ireland is to encourage and support more entrepreneurs through the Fintech CSF in the areas of Payments, Banking, RegTech, Security, and InsurTech as well as Fintech solutions that leverage Blockchain, IoT, AI and Data Intelligence technologies.

"Up to 10 companies will receive up to €50k each through this fund and we are also delighted to announce that this year's Fintech CSF will be accompanied by a programme of tailored business development supports and incubation space in partnership with Bank of Ireland's innovation team."

(MH)