Enterprise Ireland announces a Competitive Start Fund aimed at attracting international start-ups to locate to Ireland. The website for online applications will open on Wednesday 26th August and close on Wednesday 9th September 2015. 

Ten companies will each receive an investment of €50,000 for a 10% equity stake.  In addition the winning companies will receive a package of other supports including mentorship and a development programme. Applications will be made online and the twenty best companies will be invited to Ireland to pitch for the ten investments during The Start-up Gathering 2015  in October. 

Commenting on the announcement, Michael Maddock Chair of the IrishBICs, CEO of South East BIC and EBN Board Member said:“we are delighted to be associated and partners in this new initiative, Startup Gathering which will take place in 5 Cities, over 5 Days, covering 5 Themes in covering Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway. The themes include Internet of Things, Pharma, Agri, Fintech and Medtech. The purpose of the Startup Gathering is to showcase Ireland as the place for startups to start, scale and succeed.”

The Start-up Gathering 2015, led by Startup Ireland, is a public private partnership dedicated to the goal of making Ireland the best place in the world grow start-ups and the IrishBICs are actively involved in the initiative. The Gathering itself will take place from the 5th to 10th October promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and Ireland's start-up sector.  

Full press release available here.