Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc have teamed up to launch Food Works 2013, a training and development programme aimed at finding and supporting Ireland’s next generation food entrepreneurs. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD joined the Minister for Small Business John Perry TD on Tuesday to launch the initiative.
This is the second year of the initiative, which in 2012 attracted almost 100 applications. Following the completion of the process, the Food Works team is currently working with 11 new export-orientated Irish food and drink companies. Each is currently receiving support from IAPI, has access to Bord Bia’s consumer and market insight, receives feasibility funding from Enterprise Ireland and technical R&D assistance from Teagasc.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Coveney commented “the Food Works programme was designed with insight and assistance from some of Ireland’s most successful food entrepreneurs. Therefore, it is a targeted programme aimed at identifying and nurturing those with the capacity to create and run a successful export orientated food business."
An information day for prospective entrepreneurs will be held at the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School in Dublin on Saturday, 13th April. More information is available at www.foodworksireland.ie
