Business

Environment 'has never been better for start-ups' says trade body

Conor Sweeney from InterTradeIreland encourages entries for the Seedcorn competition
Conor Sweeney from InterTradeIreland encourages entries for the Seedcorn competition Conor Sweeney from InterTradeIreland encourages entries for the Seedcorn competition

The business environment in Ireland "has never been better" for start-ups to attract early stage financing according to InterTradeIreland.

It came as the final call was made for entries for this year's all-island Seedcorn investor readiness competition, which supports young innovative companies and offers a share of a €280,000 in prize-money.

Seedcorn is open to all independent companies incorporated in Northern Ireland or Republic in the seed, start-up or early stages of business development and ideally targeting international markets.

Encouraging start-up and early stage companies to enter before the Seedcorn project manager Connor Sweeney said: “InterTradeIreland works with a number of young companies and in our experience the environment has never been better for start-ups to attract finance.

"Seedcorn in particular provides young companies with a real opportunity to start developing their investment skills and put their business plans to the test.

"For the winners, it also provides a significant cash boost and access to an extensive business and investment community that can help raise their profile and create further investment opportunities in the future.”

Final date for receipt of initial completed application forms is Friday May 29. Companies can register an interest in advance at www.intertradeireland.com/seedcorn. Regional winners will be announced in November before going on to compete in the all-island grand final in Dublin on November 25.