ACORNS has been selected as Ireland’s national entry for the European Enterprise Promotion Awards in the Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills category.

The scheme is a free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland, while the EEP Awards are run by the European Commission.

A representative from ACORNS will attend the 2025 SME Assembly 2025 in Copenhagen in November where the awards winners will be announced.

The SME Assembly is the most significant event for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe. Taking place as part of European SME Week, this year's event is also being held in conjunction Denmark's presidency of the Council of the European Union. 

ACORNS has been running since 2014 and, since then, more than 550 female entrepreneurs have completed a cycle of the programme.

It is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM).

ACORNS is currently seeking applications for the 11th cycle of the programme with a deadline for applications of midnight on September 22.

The programme is available to early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who have generated sales no earlier than the end of June 2022.

There are up to 50 places available for the programme, which will run from October 2025 to April 2026.

It will include six monthly round table sessions, a briefing by various development agencies and an end-of-cycle celebration. 

There will be no charge for those selected to participate in ACORNS 11, thanks to the continuing support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contribution of time by the lead entrepreneurs.

Each of the lead entrepreneurs give their time to the programme on a voluntary basis, as they believe in the philosophy of entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs.

This year’s lead entrepreneurs are Alison Ritchie, Polar Ice; Caroline Reidy, The HR Suite; Eimer Hannon, Hannon Travel; Geraldine Jones, Skin Formulas; Mary B Walsh, Ire Wel Pallets; and Triona MacGiolla Rí, Aró Digital Strategies. 

In addition, experienced businesswomen, Clare Duignan and Geraldine Kelly, who are on the Going for Growth advisory panel, will facilitate ACORNS Plus round tables for previous participants.

Paula Fitzsimons, director of ACORNS, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that ACORNS has been recognised for the work it does in supporting female innovators based in rural Ireland.

"The programme has delivered significant results for both its participants and the wider economy over the past 10 years.

"We are committed to helping emerging female entrepreneurs to build on their ideas and businesses in a supportive atmosphere while also being challenged to drive their businesses forward.

“ACORNS is based on the belief that early-stage entrepreneurs learn best from their peers.

"Participants interact with each other in the monthly round table sessions, which are facilitated by a Lead Entrepreneur, who has first-hand experience of starting and successfully growing a business in rural Ireland.

“While we look forward to the final in Copenhagen, we are also looking forward to receiving the applications of the next group of prospective ACORNS and working closely with those selected to continue the positive trends we’ve seen in terms of revenue and employment.”

Those wishing to apply must first register their interest via the website (acorns.ie). They will then be sent an application by email.

Pic: (l-r) ACORNS past participant Caitriona Cullen of Cullen Nurseries, Lead Entrepreneur Mary B Walsh of Ire Wel Pallets, past participant Magda Seymour of Pure Oskar and Paula Fitzsimons, Director of ACORNS.