Kildare North TD, Anthony Lawlor, on the quality of applications for the Young Entrepreneurship Fund...
Fine Gael TD from Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, was delighted to learn from the Kildare Local Enterprise Office that the quality of applicants to the Young Entrepreneurship Fund far exceeded their expectations and they were delighted with the number of applicants. This gives a strong indication for the future of business in the area and the talent that the county has to offer.
“In total 36 strong applicants applied for a share of the €50,000 fund available to Kildare companies. Of those 36 applicants, who have already gone through the bootcamp stage, the list has been whittled down to 18 who are now going through a mentoring programme. There are three prize funds for the successful applicants, €20,000 for the ‘Best New Company’; €20,000 for ‘Expansion’ and €10,000 for ‘Most innovative idea’. The company deemed the Best New Company will go forward to a national competition where a further €50,000 will be awarded to the ultimate winner.
“The Youth Entrepreneurship Fund, which was launched last May, is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs 2014 and is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. A total of €2 million was made available to invest in winning businesses and entrepreneurs in every county in the country.
“As a member of the Oireachtas Committee for Jobs and Innovation, I have been calling for greater supports for young entrepreneurs. I was therefore delighted when the scheme was announced earlier this year and I am thrilled that so many companies in Kildare applied. Judging from the number of applicants and the feedback from the Kildare LEO, the future is certainly bright for Kildare’s Young Entrepreneurs. Lets hope the Kildare Winner can advance and do well in the national competition also.”
