Food Works has announced it is currently seeking applications for its 2024 programme.
The accelerator programme for high-potential food, drink, ingredients, food science and technology companies, was established in 2012, and since then has welcomed over 100 companies.
Export Potential
Since the Food Works began, Enterprise Ireland has invested over €5.64 million in Food Works companies including 20 High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) and 18 PSSF/CSF investments.
Food Works is now seeking early-stage food or drink companies interested in scaling their business or who believe they have a category-disrupting product, solution or ingredient with export potential.
International Markets
The ten-month programme combines the resources of Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc to drive scale and enable participant to become investor-ready in order to achieve success in domestic and international markets.
Food Works also provides access to grant funding, buyers, mentors and investors.
Workshops
The start-ups who enter the programme take part in workshops with national and international industry experts across various disciplines such as strategy, finance, manufacturing and marketing.
Successful applicants are supported to get investor-ready by developing a comprehensive business plan focussed on scaling internationally.
They also receive customised support from business advisors, facilitated peer-to-peer learning and may have the opportunity to receive feasibility grant funding of up to €35,000.
Successful applicants
Food Works runs annually from February to November.
The closing date for applications for the 2024 programme is 1st December 2023.
Successful applicants on the 2023 programme included Zingibeer, GoodBrew, EAST by Kwanghi Chan, Slice of Life, Cream of the Crop, Wexbury Spirits and Naked Bakes.
'Huge Asset'
“Food Works makes you zoom out on the business and think big," said Rachel Byrne from Zingibeer.
"We're building a strategy as part of our business plan and you have to ask yourself questions about the direction you want to go in that without the programme you may have put on the long finger."
"To think at the end of the process we'll have a really robust pitch and business plan is really exciting and will be a huge asset to the business.”
