If you have a new business based in rural Ireland or an idea you want to get off the ground, this could be for you.

Female entrepreneurs in Donegal are being invited to join the latest cycle of ACORNS for business support.

There has been an increase in early-stage female entrepreneurs in Ireland over the past year and the call is now open for those with new businesses, or well-developed ideas, to join ACORNS 5.

And Donegal’s ACORNS participants, as well as ‘Lead Entrepreneur’ Deirdre McGlone, are urging their fellow business owners to apply before the September 20 deadline. 

ACORNS is the highly-successful development initiative to support female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who wish to start and develop new businesses or have recently started a business. 

Previous business owners from Donegal who have participated on the most recent cycle of the programme include Laura Hardaker of HardyBaker, Lorraine Quinn of Harbour Road and Taralouise McCaughey of ZINC.

Taralouise McCaughey – ZINC

‘Lead Entrepreneur’ on the programme, Donegal’s Deirdre McGlone, formerly of Harvey’s Point, said: “It is with great pride and pleasure that I look forward to being a Lead Entrepreneur for ACORNS 5, following the great success of the past four cycles. The ACORNS initiative continues to offer much needed and appreciated support to female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland. This is turn is helping our local economy by creating a platform for new businesses to start-up and pave a path for success”.

Deirdre McGlone, Lead Entrepreneur at ACORNS

As a Lead Entrepreneur, Deirdre acts in a voluntary capacity to share insights and experience with the group and help the participants to address the issues and challenges they face in progressing their businesses. The lead ACORNS also act as role models, illustrating by their actions that it is possible to start and grow a successful business in rural Ireland.

The programme will run over six months from October 2019 to April 2020.

Many past participants of ACORNS report increased exports and job creation. Past participants are also invited to participate in a further development phase and to join the ACORNS Community, so they can continue to build their support network of valuable connections.

Any woman with a new business based in rural Ireland or an idea for a new venture they want to get off the ground can get more information and register their interest at www.acorns.ie. There is no charge for successful applicants.