Skibbereen hub reveals new €450,000 start-up fund

The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen has released €450,000 in capital for start-ups, with the opportunity to meet the investment team on 11 November.

Start-ups looking to scale, attract talent or develop products are welcomed to apply for The Ludgate Hub’s latest funding drive.

Selected companies for the fund will locate in Skibbereen, where the Ludgate Hub claims it has created Ireland’s first rural facility to receive 1GB connectivity. Those wishing to apply are invited to meet the Ludgate investment team on Friday 11 November during National Digital Week at the facility.

“We’ve already received applications for the Ludgate Seed Capital Fund from some really interesting Irish and international companies,” said Gráinne Dwyer, CEO of the Ludgate Digital Hub and member of its investment team.

Details on the fund are here, with the closing date for applicants at 5pm on 1 December. Those looking to apply and meet the team can email investments@ludgate.ie.

“The whole Ludgate team are really looking forward to meeting potential fund recipients during National Digital Week. We hope it’ll give us a better understanding of what entrepreneurs are hoping they can achieve, if they win a share in the fund,” said Dwyer.

“Attending will also give fund applicants a chance to meet some really interesting people that may inspire and sharpen their business ideas.”

The €450,000 is jointly funded by three private investors: Gain Line Capital Investments Limited, the Sean & Rose O’Driscoll Family Investment Fund and an international private investor.

The organisers’ digital week could attract as much as 1,600 people for discussion and debate on some of the most topical issues facing entrepreneurship and digital accessibility in Ireland.

Dedicated speaker sessions will focus on topics including ‘agri-tech’, ‘female founders and leadership’ and ‘the sharing economy’.