Kildare women complete national ACORNS programme which is now open for new applicants

The national ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups) programme is now open for new applicants.

The announcement comes as two Kildare women have revealed that they have just completed the programme.

Edel Walsh, founder of Edel Walsh Coaching and Consultancy, and Anna McGrath, founder of the Kildare town play therapy centre known as Shine Through Supports, have both successfully completed the ACORNS programme.

The two entrepreneurs are encouraging other women in County Kildare to apply for the next cycle of the free business development programme, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Edel Wash, who is based in Johnstown in Naas, recently completed the last cycle of the programme, ACORNS 9.

Commenting on the programme, Ms Walsh said: "It was with the help of my ACORNS Lead Entrepreneur and my group of female entrepreneurs that I was able to get so much more clarity on my business.

"Before joining ACORNS, I was targeting a lot of different markets. ACORNS gave me the confidence and clarity to focus on my specific market."

She added: "This was scary however, as I thought I would lose sales as a result.... My group challenged and supported me and ultimately my business has grown since."

Anna McGrath, founder of Shine Through Supports, also said: "Participating on ACORNS 9 meant that I had a space where I could find my feet as a business woman, and grow and explore possibilities in a supported, safely guided way."

"It offered a whole new dimension to my own learning and I am so grateful for how it was structured and paced; that sense of belonging in a group of such inspiring business people is something I value so highly."

Anna McGrath of Shine Through Supports. Photograph by Orla Murray / Coalesce Limited.

Brenda Ward of AcuWellness is a past participant of the programme, having completed ACORNS 5.

The Maynooth-based entrepreneur said: "This is a fantastic space for any female entrepreneur to be part of.

"It offers support, accountability, and the priceless advice and guidance from successful Lead Entrepreneurs with years of experience."

She added: "I would highly recommend ACORNS to anyone starting out."

Brenda Ward of AcuWellness (LEFT) with Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State for Land Use and Biodiversity (RIGHT). Photograph by Orla Murray / Coalesce Limited.

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BACKGROUND

ACORNS has been providing a decade of support for female entrepreneurship in rural Ireland and has recently launched the 10th cycle of the business development programme.

The free initiative for early-stage female entrepreneurs is funded through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.

The deadline for applications for this special 10th anniversary cycle is midnight, September 20, 2024. 

There are up to 50 places available for ACORNS 10.

Those wishing to receive an application form should register on the website (www.acorns.ie).