Bord Bia together with PwC have announced that ten food firms have been selected to participate in their recently launched 'Ascent' programme. The companies are:

• Ballymaloe Foods
• Cybercolors; Follain
• HF Foods
• Killowen
• Kush
• Island Seafoods
• Pasta Concepts
• Seerys
• Twomeys

The initiative aims to help Irish medium-sized food and drink companies achieve 'breakthrough growth' while addressing their ‘growing pains’.

According to Bord Bia, the Ascent programme is targeted at companies who recognise the need for help in order to achieve their full market potential. In particular, the programme will give guidance and assistance on some of the many challenges facing companies when planning to expand, such as strategic direction, preparing a business plan, undertaking a brand health check, commercialising new products and services, team structure and skills, accessing export markets, consumer and market insight and ensuring costings and finances make sense.

Speaking at the announcement, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said: "This programme is a real helping hand to assist ambitious companies in scaling up to the next level. PwC and Bord Bia have a wealth of experience to bring to these companies and to assist them to recognise and exploit opportunities as they arise.“

Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia, added:  “Companies that demonstrated significant potential for growth were selected following a rigorous selection process involving interviews and consultation with PwC. Ascent is a new, bespoke service designed to provide targeted, personalised support to a small number of Irish food and drink companies looking to identify and overcome obstacles to growth.

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"Ascent will help deliver a comprehensive suite of services across a combination of key business areas including strategic review, consumer orientation, branding, product quality and peer and expert advice to companies with the potential to significantly grow their business.”