In line with the Action Plan for Jobs 2012, Enterprise Ireland launched its first financial supports specifically targeted at female entrepreneurs in July 2012. Initially, a fund of €250,000 was made available for a Competitive Feasibility Fund for early stage female entrepreneurs for grants of up to €25,000. When the Fund closed in September 2012, more than 120 applications had been received. Due to the level of response and the quality of the applications, the Fund was increased to €350,000 and 20 applicants were awarded funding. In October 2012, Enterprise Ireland launched a €500,000 Competitive Start Fund for female entrepreneurs catering for more mature projects. Some 86 applications were received and €50,000 was approved in funding for each of 10 companies. The remaining applicants are working with Enterprise Ireland on their business plans to help them get to the investor-ready stage of development. While it is not possible at this stage to give exact job creation figures, this funding has created a pipeline of female-led start-ups across a wide range of sectors, which should lead to significant job creation and exports in the coming years. Funding for Enterprise Ireland's Competitive Start Fund has been made available again in 2013 and four calls for applications will be announced over the year. All companies in receipt of funding from Enterprise Ireland will be listed in the Agency’s 2012 Annual Report and Accounts to be published later this year.
