An all-Island pilot for rural and emerging food businesses
The Nourish and Innovate programme offers small food producers easy access to training, expert support, and collaboration opportunities to help them overcome regulatory, technical, and market challenges.
Recruitment will focus on micro food businesses operating in rural, tourism-led regions of the island of Ireland.
Why choose Nourish and Innovate?
- Access to food innovation expertise and facilities
- Entrepreneurship masterclasses
- Workable solutions to real life industry challenges
The pilot adopts a challenge-driven, demand-led approach and promotes scalable innovation through a blended delivery model. It also ensures regional equity by targeting businesses across the island, promoting learning and collaboration.
This programme will provide businesses with
- a masterclass on innovation
- technical webinars
- technical training
- a retail pitch event
- project management and monitoring
How to apply
The programme will run in two cohorts.
Closing date for the first cohort application Friday 27 February 2026, 12pm.
The second cohort application will open in May 2026.
A minimum of 10 businesses will be selected, with at least 60% from rural/tourism areas and balanced representation across the island of Ireland.
At least 30% of companies will be led by women entrepreneurs. The cohorts are open to early-stage and growth-ready applicants.
Apply for the Nourish and Innovate Pilot Programme.
First published 19 February 2026
