Female Entrepreneurship
www.enterprise-ireland.com/femalecsf
Enterprise Ireland’s €1 million Competitive Start Fund (CSF) for Female Entrepreneurs will open for applications on Tuesday, May 1. Up to €50,000 in equity funding is available to a maximum of 20 successful female applicants with early stage start-up companies. Last year, 46 per cent of all companies who received CSF investment from Enterprise Ireland were female-led.
A competition, specifically for Female Entrepreneurs or female-led start-ups, active in the Manufacturing & Internationally Traded Services sectors including the following subsectors: Internet, Games, Apps, Mobile, SaaS, Enterprise Software, Lifesciences, Food, Cleantech and Industrial Products will open on Tuesday 1st May, 2018 and will close on 15th May, 2018 at 3pm.
The purpose of the Competitive Start Fund is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capacity to succeed in global markets. The fund is designed to enable those companies to reach key technical and commercial milestones.
Applications to the fund should ideally be able to demonstrate the following:
- Be able to clearly demonstrate that product or service has reached MVP stage, and that the product is, at a minimum, live in beta.
- That the product or service has demonstrable customer validation with (trial and/or paying) customers.
- A fully articulated proposition addressing a clear gap in the market with market research conducted with customers / potential customers.
- Evidence of innovation, export potential and employment capacity. Clear market opportunity for the proposed product or service. Clear knowledge of the competitive landscape.
- Clear execution plan outlined, identifying suitable channels to international markets.
What is the maximum funding available?
The selected companies will receive a maximum investment of €50,000 for a 10% ordinary equity stake in the start-up company. The investment shall be released in two equal tranches. The Company will be required to secure additional equity investment of €5,000, from promoters or external investees, prior to the release of EI’s first tranche.
When is the call close date? This call for applications will close on Tuesday 15th May 2018 at 3pm.
How do companies apply? Applications must be made through the Enterprise Ireland online application system. Applications to the fund should ideally be able to demonstrate the updated criteria detailed above.
For more information:
Log on to:www.enterprise-ireland.com/femalecsf
Email:csf@enterprise-ireland.com Ring the dedicated Help Line: 01 727 2202