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Applications are now open to budding entrepreneurs from all over Cork who are invited to participate in this year's Greenshoots Programme, commencing in March at Macroom E Enterprise Centre.

Since its inception five years ago, the Greenshoots programme has supported fifty five aspiring businesses in Cork, enabling them to develop their ideas from conceptual stages through to launching new companies. The programme is supported by Cork County Council and the Local Enterprise Offices in Cork.

During each programme, Greenshoots participants avail of free shared office space, weekly training workshops on key areas of business development, individual mentorship, business coaching, links with local and national support agencies, guidance from excellent established entrepreneurs and lots of peer to peer support.

Says Catherine Costello, Enterprise Programme Manager at Macroom E, The recruitment for the programme is always an exciting time as we meet the applicants and hear hundreds of fabulous ideas. We’re looking forward to getting to work with a new group and eager to see what successes emerge. Also, this year, we are delighted to have the support of the North and West Cork Local Enterprise Offices so we will be able to extend the reach of the programme geographically.

Over the last five years, many success stories have emerged from the programme, having established themselves as successful Cork-based companies. Of the fifty five businesses that have taken part, 76% are still in operation, collectively creating over 100 new jobs. Turnovers range up to €1.5million and four of those businesses are now employing more than 10 staff members.

An information session, open to anyone interesting in applying for the programme will take place on Wednesday 3rd February at Macroom E Enterprise Centre at 10.00am – 11.00am.

Application details: a simple application form is available from www.greenshootscork.ie. The deadline for applications is Friday 12th February after which applicants will be shortlisted for an interview presentation and selected based on the viability of their business idea. The programme is due to start in early March.

More details on www.greenshootscork.ie