Enterprise Ireland has launched a new €250,000 (£230,000) fund to help support female-led start-ups, with more funds to come.
The Competitive Feasibility Fund for Female Entrepreneurs aims to help boost the number of "high potential innovative, export-oriented businesses" led by female entrepreneurs.
The fund follows two previous female entrepreneurship funds launched by Enterprise Ireland in 2012. These funds attracted over 200 applications, resulting in an additional 30 female-led businesses receiving funding "to investigate the viability of new growth orientated businesses which can succeed in global markets", said Enterprise Ireland.
And the latest fund will be followed in October by a new Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs, as part of the country's Action Plan for Jobs.
The fund just announced will be open for applications until Tuesday 10 September 2013. The funding call is open to female-led start-ups in manufacturing and internationally traded services, including internet, games, apps, cloud computing, enterprise software, life sciences, food, consumer products, medical devices and e-health.
Richard Bruton, minister for jobs, enterprise and innovation, said: "This fund builds on our Action Plan for Jobs and ensures more women will get involved in starting businesses, get into exports and create jobs."
Julie Sinnamon, Enterprise Ireland executive director for global business development, said: "We see this new fund as a strategic investment in female-led start-ups. It will support them to expand their business horizons and set up innovative international companies that can win business abroad and create jobs at home."