ACORNS Program Boosts Rural Female Entrepreneurship With New Jobs and Turnover Growth

The ACORNS program, designed for early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland, recently enabled the creation of almost 60 new jobs among its participants. During the six-month ACORNS 11 cycle, the combined annual turnover for 53 women-led businesses increased significantly, moving from €4.1 million to nearly €6 million. This growth demonstrates the program’s tangible impact on business development and job creation in rural areas.

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ACORNS, which stands for Accelerating the Creation of Rural Nascent Start-ups, is now seeking applicants for its next cycle, ACORNS 12. The initiative supports women entrepreneurs in developing their businesses through a peer-learning model. Nine participants in the last cycle began trading for the first time, and four became exporters.

Driving Business Growth in Rural Ireland

The program’s statistics highlight its positive influence on the rural economy. Beyond job creation and turnover increases, participant feedback from ACORNS 11 was overwhelmingly positive. All 53 participants said they would recommend ACORNS to others, with 98% feeling closer to achieving their business ambitions after completing the program. Furthermore, 94% reported that their participation led to practical changes within their businesses.

ACORNS, now in its 12th year, has supported approximately 600 female entrepreneurs. It operates on the belief that early-stage entrepreneurs learn most effectively from their peers. Participants engage in monthly roundtable sessions, facilitated by a Lead Entrepreneur who has direct experience in starting and successfully growing a business in rural Ireland.

Upcoming Opportunity for Female Founders

Applications are currently open for ACORNS 12, with the deadline set for midnight on Friday, September 18th. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon opened the call for the next cycle. This cycle is scheduled to run from October 2026 to April 2027.

The program is open to early-stage female entrepreneurs residing in rural Ireland who have generated sales no earlier than the end of June 2023. Up to 50 places are available for ACORNS 12. Interested individuals must first register their interest via the program’s website, www.acorns.ie, to receive an application by email. There is no charge for selected participants, thanks to continued support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the voluntary contributions of the Lead Entrepreneurs.

This year’s voluntary Lead Entrepreneurs include Alison Ritchie of Polar Ice (Laois), Geraldine Jones of Skin Formulas (Tipperary), Karen Kerrigan of Kerrigan’s Mushrooms (Meath), Larissa Feeney of Kinore (Donegal), Mary B Walsh of Ire Wel Pallets (Wexford), Orla Leahy of Ireland Chauffeur Travel (Tipperary), and Triona MacGiolla Rí of Aró Digital Strategies (Galway). Karen Kerrigan noted that ACORNS provides a supportive environment where women encourage one another and share experiences, combating the potential loneliness of running a business.