The Ireland Funds launches Business Plan Competition worth €16,000
The Ireland Funds Business Plan Competition 2016 will open for entries on Monday, March 7th. Now in its fifth year, this competition invites students and recent graduates from Ireland and Northern Ireland to submit their business ideas for a chance to win €10,000. It will also provide mentoring and further support for the winning idea. Applicants can apply online until April 7th.
The aim of the Business Plan Competition is to support the next generation of entrepreneurs by helping them to develop the skills required to succeed in business. The competition is open to under-graduates, post-graduates and recent graduates (within two years of graduation) in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Existing startups are eligible to enter, as long as the applicants themselves meet the above criteria.
“As always, we’re looking for innovative business ideas from Ireland’s early stage entrepreneurs for our competition,” said Caitriona Fottrell, Vice President and Director Ireland, The Ireland Funds. “Convince us that your business idea is the next big thing and we’ll provide you with training and support to help you both develop and pitch your idea. This competition has attracted extremely impressive and creative ideas in the past and we look forward to receiving a wide variety of applications again this year,” she said.
Up to 10 individuals or teams will be selected and given the chance to bring their business ideas from concept to pitch, receiving mentoring and feedback throughout the process. At the final on June 22nd, a panel of leading entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from Ireland and the US will review the finalists’ business plans and select the winners. The winner will receive €10,000, whilst two runners up will receive €5,000 and €1,000 respectively.
Applications can be submitted online at www.theirelandfunds.org/bpc by April 7th 2016.
For further information, please contact:
Martha Hayes Rebecca Bury
The Ireland Funds Stillwater Communications
T: 01 16627878 T: 01 677 0630
E: mhayes@irlfunds.org E: rebecca@stillwater.ie
About The Ireland Funds
The Worldwide Ireland Funds are a philanthropic network that supports causes in Ireland and around the world. Their mission is to be the largest network of friends of Ireland dedicated to supporting programs of peace and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland. Founded in 1976, The Worldwide Ireland Funds currently operate in 12 countries and have raised over $480 million for over 3,000 organisations.
For further information, visit http://www.theirelandfunds.org/.