Food Works, the Irish investment accelerator for high-potential food and drink companies, has launched a recruitment drive for its 2025 programme.
The ten-month programme helps to drive scale and enables participants to become investor ready, in order to achieve success in domestic and international markets.
It combines the resources of Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc and offers entrepreneurs an opportunity to access expert mentorship and development of an investor-ready business plan and connect with potential investors and buyers, as well as gain marketing and production insights.
‘Route To Market’
Successful applicants in 2023 included Chimac, Reso Health Ltd, Blynk+ Drinks, Ireland West Distillery – Shaker & Co., Element Irish Whiskey, Fire&5th, Mór Taste, SomaTech Limited and FemFuelz, all of which will have employees completing the programme in the coming months.
“The Food Works programme has come along at an absolutely critical time in our business,” said Mary Maguire from Fire&5th.
“The structure of the programme around the key elements of financial planning, route to market, and marketing strategy has been crucial and has enabled us to articulate a clear and compelling business plan for the future.”
Investment
Food Works was established in 2012, and since then has welcomed over 120 companies through the programme.
Since the initiative began, Enterprise Ireland has invested over €6.67 million in Food Works companies, including 21 High-Potential Start-Up (HPSU) and 23 Pre-Seed Start Fund or Competitive Start Fund (PSSF/CSF) investments.
The closing date for applications for the 2025 programme is 29 November 2024. Full details and an application form are available at foodworksireland.ie.
‘Incredible Opportunity’
“Food Works has been an incredible opportunity for us because sometimes, when you’re in the business, it’s very hard to focus on the business itself,” said Kylie O’Donoghue from FemFuelz.
“The programme forces you to think outside the box and do all of things you know you should be doing when you are stuck in the day-to-day.
“I couldn’t recommend it enough for start-ups, or anyone who is in business for a couple of years, to focus on what you really need to.”
