Early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland are being invited to apply for the eleventh cycle of the ACORNS programme, a peer-support initiative backed by Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Applications are open until midnight on Monday, 22 September 2025.

The ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups) initiative is designed to support women who are either in the early stages of running a business or at an advanced stage of planning one. The programme, which will run from October 2025 to April 2026, provides participants with knowledge, networking opportunities, and mentoring through a series of roundtable sessions.

The model is based on the belief that entrepreneurs learn best from one another. Participants will be mentored by “Lead Entrepreneurs”—women who have successfully established and grown businesses in rural Ireland. Up to 50 women will be selected for the upcoming cycle.

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:

• Have recently established a business (with sales generated no earlier than June 2022) or be actively preparing to launch a new venture.
• Own or part-own a business located in a rural area outside the administrative boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
• Expect to employ staff within three years.
• Be available to attend the launch forum and first round table session on 20–21 October 2025.
• Commit to attending subsequent group sessions and the residential development forum in April 2026.

There are no restrictions on the sector of activity. Accommodation costs linked to residential elements of the programme will be covered, and participation is free of charge thanks to funding from the Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

Programme Structure
The initiative will include:

• Four facilitated group meetings between November 2025 and March 2026.
• Peer-to-peer learning sessions focused on strategy, marketing, finance, sustainability, and implementation.
• A final residential development forum on SMART Planning – The Roadmap Ahead in April 2026.

Selection will be competitive, with ACORNS Lead Entrepreneurs assessing applications in early October. They will seek candidates who demonstrate commitment, entrepreneurial potential, and readiness to engage fully in the programme.

Impact of ACORNS
Now in its eleventh year, ACORNS has a proven track record of supporting women in rural Ireland to increase sales, develop exports, and create employment. Past participants have highlighted the programme’s unique peer-learning approach as a key factor in their business growth.

How to Apply
Interested applicants can register at www.acorns.ie to receive an application form. The deadline is 22 September 2025. Further information is available via email at info@acorns.ie or by phone at +353 1 845 0770.

More information:
Download the brochure here.