Competitive Start Fund (CSF)

The purpose of the Competitive Start Fund is to accelerate the growth of start-up companies that have the capability to become High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) Companies. HPSUs are start-up businesses with the potential to develop an innovative product or service for sale on international markets and the potential to create 10 jobs and €1m in sales within 3 to 4 years of starting up.

Download Start-up Showcase Directory 2017

The fund is designed to enable those companies reach key commercial and technical milestones, for example:

Evaluate overseas market opportunities and reach firm conclusions regarding the viability of the proposed business.
Build a prototype.
Secure a reference site.
Develop a market entry plan for exploiting international opportunities.
Secure partnership deal or strategic alliance.
Identify suitable channels to international markets.
Secure third party investment e.g. business angel, Venture Capital.

All applications to the Competitive Start Fund must be made via the Enterprise Ireland online application system during call open dates.

Update: From 2017 onwards, registered companies applying for Competitive Start Fund must be less than 3 years old from date of registration.

Upcoming Competitive Start Fund 2017 Call Dates

Call No	Call Name	Call Open	Call Close	Pitch
No. 42	All Sectors - with focus on ICT	25^th Jan	8^th Feb	21^st March
No. 43	Graduate Entrepreneurship	8^th March	22^nd March	28^th April
No. 44	International Entrepreneurship	8^th March	22^nd March	13^th June
No. 45	Female Entrepreneurship	3^rd May	17^th May	20^th June
No. 46	Fintech	21^st June	5^th July	15^th Aug
No. 47	Regional/New Frontiers	21st June	5th July	29^th Aug
No. 48	NOW OPEN - All Sectors with focus on Agtech/Manuf/Lifesciences/Renewables	13^th Sept	27^th Sept	7^th Nov
No. 49	Experienced Professionals	11^th Oct	25^th Oct	28^th Nov

Please note: call open and close dates outlined above are subject to change.

Key contact/more information

For more information on the Competitive Start Fund, please contact:

csf@enterprise-ireland.com
+353 1 727 2202 (9am - 5pm)

If you are not a client of Enterprise Ireland and want to learn more about qualifying and applying for Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up supports, go to our Start a Business Section