Female entrepreneurs in County Tipperary are being reminded of the September 20th closing date for the 10th series of the Acorns programme. The free mentoring programme is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
Elaine Crosse of Bánór and Úna Ryan of REMind Ed both recently completed the programme while Noreen Fitzgerald of Marlhill Open Farm, who completed the ACORNS programme four years ago, this year completed the ACORNS Plus follow-on initiative.
Bánór makes body care products based on Sheep’s milk from a farm near Cashel and other natural ingredients. REMind Ed provides wellbeing practices for parents, teachers and others working with children while Marlhill Open Farm established in 2021 provides children with “farm experiences including live animals” and a range of both indoor and outdoor activities.
The three women with strong links to the Cashel area are encouraging other females in county. Tipperary to apply for the next cycle of the free business development programme.
This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs are Alison Ritchie(Polar Ice), Caroline Reidy (The HR Suite), Eimer Hannon (Hannon Travel), Larissa Feeney (Kinore) Mary B Walsh (Ire Wel Pallets) and Triona MacGiolla Rí (Aró Digital Strategies).
In addition, experienced businesswomen, Clare Duignan and Geraldine Kelly, who are on the Going for Growth advisory panel, will facilitate ACORNS Plus round tables for previous participants, who are committed to continuing driving forward the development of their businesses.
There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10. Those wishing to receive an application form should register on the website (www.acorns.ie). ACORNS 10 will run from October 2024 to April 2025 and will include six monthly round table sessions, a workshop on understanding financials, a briefing by various development agencies and an end-of-cycle celebration.
