Enterprise Ireland opens up €250K fund to female tech entrepreneurs

Enterprise Ireland is offering female entrepreneurs with tech-focused start-ups the opportunity to apply for a share of 250,000 to fund the future growth of their businesses.

The initiative is aimed at boosting the number of female-led start-ups that operate in industries with high export potential in Ireland.

It is being overseen by Enterprise Ireland, a Government organisation that provides support for Irish businesses to help them achieve growth and sales overseas.

In particular, Enterprise Ireland said it would welcome applications from businesses operating in the online, gaming, apps, cloud, enterprise software, life sciences, medical devices and e-health sectors.

The scheme follows on from the launch of two further funding rounds, aimed at rewarding female entrepreneurs, which attracted more than 200 applications and saw 30 businesses receive investment to support their growth ambitions.

Richard Burton, the Irish State Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, said supporting start-ups is a key part of the Government's plans to boost jobs and growth in Ireland.

"As part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, Enterprise Ireland launched a new women-in-business drive to support female entrepreneurs, including several competitive funding programmes which attracted a very high level of applicants with ambitious and innovative projects," said Burton.

"Today's announcement...will build on this momentum ensuring that women get involved in starting businesses, getting into exports, and creating jobs."

Julie Sinnamon, executive director for Global Business Development of Enterprise Ireland, added: "We see this new fund as a strategic investment in female-led start-ups. It will support them to expand their business horizons and set up innovative international companies that can win business abroad and create jobs at home."

Interested parties have until Tuesday 10 September to submit their funding applications.