Female entrepreneurs in Offaly urged to join ACORNS initiative

Offaly Senator and Minister of State Pippa Hackett is urging female entrepreneurs in the county to get involved in the ACORNS initiative.

ACORNS is a free business development programme that will run for its tenth year over the coming Winter and Spring.

It aims to offer unique insight, expertise and experience to female entrepreneurs operating in rural areas, and who are either in the early stages of operating their business or are in the later stages of getting ready to launch their enterprise.

Minister Hackett urged women who are in those early stages of setting out on their entrepreneurship journey to get involved.

She said: “I’ve been in touch with many business owners who have taken part previously, both here in Offaly and all across the country, and I could not recommend the programme highly enough."

Senator Hackett shared that the initiative is something very close to her heart, as she aims to combat the unique struggles female entrepreneurs face.

She said: “There are unique challenges that come with being a female entrepreneur, and while women have skills and insights that serve them incredibly well when it comes to spotting opportunities and pushing their ambitions through to completion.

"There is immense value to the insight and experience that the lead entrepreneurs can offer, as well as the ability to plug into a network of like-minded people who share your drive and imagination."

There will be no charge for those selected to participate in ACORNS 10, thanks to the continuing support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contribution of time by the Lead Entrepreneurs.

The initiative is only open to early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland, and who have had no sales before the end of June 2021.

Those wishing to receive an application form for ACORNS 10 should register on the website: www.acorns.ie