Enterprise Ireland and NDRC launch new €50k Entrepreneurship Fund for Female Founders

Enterprise Ireland, the government agency with responsibility for helping Irish businesses start up and scale and early stage investor NDRC will host an open evening on Thursday 10 March from 6.30-8.30pm for female founders applying to Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start Fund (CSF). Successful applicants to the Fund in addition to an investment of €50k for a 10% equity stake by Enterprise Ireland, will have the opportunity to participate on NDRC’s Female Founders six month accelerator programme for technology start-ups, commencing in June this year. The upcoming open evening in NDRC’s office in Dublin 8 will enable those interested in applying to Enterprise Ireland’s CSF to meet the NDRC team, other portfolio ventures and to find out more about the application and pitching process.

Speaking about their role in supporting Enterprise Ireland in encouraging female entrepreneurship, Mr Gary Leyden, Commercial Director with NDRC said: “NDRC only invest in exceptional teams and the evidence shows that companies with gender diverse management teams achieve higher earnings than the industry average. An accelerator programme gives female entrepreneurs the opportunity to validate their idea quicker than they would on their own. Our track record with companies such as Nuritas, PharmaPod and Frockadvisor proves this works”.

Enterprise Ireland’s, Sarita Johnston, Female Entrepreneurship Manager, who will officially launch the call at the open night said: “A key role of Enterprise Ireland is to help entrepreneurs start up companies. We are particularly focussed on supporting female entrepreneurs and this new partnership with NDRC will combine start up funding from Enterprise Ireland and access to the NDRC accelerator, giving female founders a headstart when it comes to setting up new digital businesses”.

NDRC is recognised internationally for its approach to enabling the very best early stage tech ventures. From its portfolio of startup ventures, NDRC has already accelerated a number of successful new high potential businesses with women in the founder team.

More details on applying to Enterprise Ireland’s Competitive Start fund can be accessed by emailing Enterprise Ireland or by calling + 353 1 7272202 (9am – 5pm).

Check out NDRC’s website for more information on the Open Evening.