Food Works aims to foster and encourage new product ideas

HIGH potential start-ups in South Dublin County with a strong business idea are being encouraged to take part in Ireland’s leading accelerator programme for food and drink start-ups.

Run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc, Food Works 2017 aims to foster and encourage new product ideas which satisfy a genuine market need while supporting the growth of the Irish food industry on a global scale.

Since 2012, Food Works has supported 70 start-ups in developing scaleable and export focused business ideas, with one in five start-ups already achieving success, €1.5M generated in export sales in 2016 alone and more than €2M in funding from Enterprise Ireland secured.

The intensive programme guides successful participants from the initial concept phase through to the development of a winning food product with international appeal and global export potential.

This includes the provision of a full range of practical business supports designed to provide participants with an investor ready business plan, alongside consumer market research, one-to-one mentoring, technical advice, commercial viability testing and access to possible investors and state funding.

Niall Moloney, Founder of Pow Cow and 2016 Food Works participant, said:  “With Pow Cow we have developed the first high protein frozen yogurt on the market which provides a guilt free rich creamy indulgent treat while containing 80 per cent less sugar than standard branded ice creams.

“Food Works was one of the best things we have done since launching our business.

“The programme gave us the insights and knowledge to look at our business as a whole and put a strategic plan in place which allows us to accelerate our growth”.

Following the formal application process, finalists will be shortlisted to take part in an industry-led boot camp, after which the final programme participants will be selected.

Individuals or companies who would like to learn more about Food Works are, in advance of completing the formal application, invited to register for an introductory meeting at www.foodworksireland.ie.

Regional meetings are scheduled for Dublin this Tuesday, March 28.