Call for rural female entrepreneurs for Acorns development programme
COUNTY Wicklow female entrepreneurs are being urged to apply for a place on Acorns, a six month part time development programme for early stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
There is no charge for successful applicants and the programme is fully funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund.
The programme will run from October 2017 to April 2018.
The Acorns initiative is focused on developing the potential of female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who have recently started a business or who have taken concrete steps towards setting up a business. It is based on a clear understanding that entrepreneurs learn best from each other and the initiative is focussed on peer support and collaborative learning.
Amy Sherwin of Popzle in Greystones has first-hand experience of just how beneficial the programme can be.
After 10 years working in packaging, supply chain and marketing roles in various multinational companies, Amy decided to take the plunge and fulfil her dream of creating a series of unique pop puzzles.
Popzle uses paperboard materials with shapes that pop out and slot into each other, so the cards are suitable to use on the go, or at home.
Working with Acorns has helped Amy reach a large audience and she even secured a major client, fellow Acorns participant AgriKids, in the process.
‘ The Acorns programme provided a huge support for me. The energy, enthusiasm and passion of everybody involved and the knowledge sharing and support really helped me to focus and drive my business forward,’ said Amy.
More than 100 female entrepreneurs have taken part in Acorns to date, and past participants testify to the difference this programme has made both to themselves and to their businesses. The deadline for application for this year’s Acorns programme is Friday, September 22. Interested female entrepreneurs can access information and register their interest at www.acorns.ie.