Green Limerick: Final call for businesses to ‘grow’

THE CLOSING date for applications to the Bord na Móna Accelerate Green GROW programme is fast approaching, with potential applicants in Limerick asked to be quick and get their submissions in.

On November 22, the chance for Limerick-based companies in the sustainability sector to apply for the GROW programme will come to an end, as submissions are due to be submitted before that day.

Accelerate Green GROW is delivered by Bord na Móna in conjunction with Resolve Partners, to equip promising Irish business owners with the skills to become a more climate-focused business.

Bord na Móna is accepting applications from early-stage companies and innovative start-ups, as well as established small medium enterprises (SMEs) in Limerick to be considered for this leading accelerator programme, designed to support the growth of sustainable enterprises in Ireland.

Accelerate Green GROW will commence in January 2025.

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, and receive invaluable business insights from the Bord na Móna leadership team.

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Since its launch in 2022, 50 businesses have successfully participated in the Accelerate Green programmes. One of those is Limerick-based Hibra Design, a sustainable automotive design engineering company which is currently partnering with Bord na Móna on a separate pilot programme.

Former Accelerate Green GROW participant, Hibra Design CEO Mike Keane said: “Accelerate Green was a fantastic opportunity to grow and scale our business - the programme covers a wide range of customer-focused topics in significant depth.

“Through Accelerate Green, we learned ways to show customers how the sustainability value of our services can have a real, calculable, fiscal benefit for them and how to position Hibra Design to reach global customers.

“Bord Na Móna’s transition to a climate solutions provider demonstrates the depth of their experience and the genuine intent behind this programme. We are delighted to now be working directly with Bord na Móna on the BETR pilot programme.

“I would recommend Accelerate Green to any sustainable business looking to scale, grow and thrive.”

Like Hibra Designs, many other former participants have reported significant and sustainable progress in their companies since completing the programmes and the alumni have collectively raised €10m in venture capital to date.

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

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

Bord na Móna chief executive Tom Donnellan said: “As a business that has undergone its own significant scaling journey and service evolution, Bord Na Móna are committed to sharing the invaluable insights we gained with the next generation of sustainable businesses.”