Kildare companies encouraged to enter sustainable business accelerator

Kildare businesses are being urged to apply for Bord na Móna’s sustainable business accelerator programmes ‘Accelerate Green GROW’ and ‘Accelerate Green START’.

Companies interested in applying for the START programme have until the 19 September, while the closing date for the GROW programme is the 22 November.

“These programmes are delivered by Bord na Móna in conjunction with Resolve Partners to equip promising Irish business owners with the skills and knowledge to scale their companies in Ireland and beyond.

Bord na Móna is accepting applications from early-stage companies and innovative start-ups in operating in the sustainability sector and looking to grow at pace, as well as established SMEs pivoting from their existing offering to more climate-focused solutions,” said a spokesperson.

GROW will commence in January 2025 and is suitable for early-stage enterprises and SMEs looking to scale.

The successful applicants will be brought through a series of immersive learning sessions delivered by industry leaders, entrepreneurs, potential investors and successful Irish business representatives.

START is a shorter programme, with a series of learning sessions beginning on 10 October.

START was established as a sister programme to GROW, to support budding entrepreneurs and earlier-stage businesses in scaling their sustainable solutions.

START participants engage in modules across key areas including - customer discovery, market mapping, network development and preparation for investment pitching.

Since its launch in 2022, 42 businesses have successfully completed the Accelerate Green programmes.

Many former participants have reported significant and sustainable progress in their companies since completing the programmes, and the alumni have collectively raised €10 million in venture capital to date.

According to recent research among the Accelerate Green alumni, over 90 per cent of past participants have more confidence in their ability as business leaders to scale their companies successfully.

Additionally, 75 per cent of past participants have grown their workforce since completing the programme and three in four have scaled their business operations in Ireland.