Most business supports assume you already have a company, accounts and a plan. ACORNS is aimed further back than that — at the point where you have an idea and no idea who to ask.
It is free to the participant, funded by the Department of Agriculture, and built around other rural women who have already done it.
Quick facts
- Who
- Early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland
- Length
- Six months, part-time
- Rural means
- Outside the city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford
- Also eligible
- At an advanced stage of planning a new venture
- Next cycle
- October 2027 to April 2028
- Forms
- Available August 2027 — register your interest now
What it is
"The ACORNS programme has been designed to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland and runs over six months part-time."
"Based on a belief that entrepreneurs learn best from each other, the ACORNS initiative is centred around interactive round table sessions that are facilitated by female entrepreneurs, known as ‘Lead Entrepreneurs’, who have started and successfully grown businesses in rural Ireland."
So it is peer learning rather than a lecture series, led by people who built businesses in the same conditions — small markets, distance, and no ready network.
Who qualifies
"To qualify for consideration, the entrepreneur (i) must have recently set up a new business which she owns or part owns, and which has generated sales no earlier than end June 2024 or (ii) must be at an advanced stage of planning a new venture and have a clear idea of what she wants to achieve."
That second route matters. You do not need a trading business — an advanced plan and a clear idea is enough, which is exactly the stage most supports exclude.
"She must also be living in a rural area. These are all areas of the country outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford." Note how wide that is: everywhere except five city areas, including most commuter towns.
When to apply
"The next cycle of ACORNS will run from October 2027 to April 2028. If you are interested in participating in the programme, you can register your interest here and you will be sent an application form as soon as they become available (August 2027)."
Register the interest now rather than trying to remember in August — that is the whole action here.
"This innovative programme is funded under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund through the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM)."
Common questions
Who can apply to ACORNS?
Early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland who have either recently set up a business they own or part own, with sales no earlier than end June 2024, or are at an advanced stage of planning a new venture with a clear idea of what they want to achieve.
What counts as rural?
All areas of the country outside the administrative city boundaries of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford.
Do I need a trading business already?
No. Being at an advanced stage of planning a new venture, with a clear idea of what you want to achieve, qualifies you for consideration.
How long is the programme?
Six months, part-time, centred on interactive round table sessions facilitated by Lead Entrepreneurs — women who have started and grown businesses in rural Ireland.
When is the next cycle?
October 2027 to April 2028, with application forms available from August 2027. You can register your interest in advance to be sent a form.