Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
35. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of companies that have participated in the food works programme since inception; and the number of the companies and alumni still trading and are solvent. [11696/21]
View answerThe Food Works programme is a Government supported business accelerator programme that aims to develop the next generation of scalable and export driven Irish food and drinks businesses. It was established in 2012 as a collaboration between Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. In Food Works, successful participants are given a range of practical business aids required to develop an initial concept into a winning food product with international appeal. The available supports include consumer market research, business plan development, technical advice, and commercial viability testing. Access to incubation units, research and development (R&D) facilities and introduction to the investment community are also important aspects of Food Works. My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, grants feasibility funding of up to €35,000 to participants on this programme.
Since its inception in 2012, 93 companies in all have completed the Food Works programme and 8 companies will enter the programme in 2021.
Enterprise Ireland does not report on the trading status or solvency of programme participants.
