1. NationalFoodWorksProgrammeAnnouncesSuccessful2016
CandidatesincludingWaterfordCompany
Following a nationwide search for Ireland's top food entrepreneurs, nine new and upcoming Irish food and drink companies have been selected to
participate in this year's Food Works Programme. Conor Coughlan from Black Twist Hard Coffee, Waterford is one of the nine entrepreneurs selected to
take part.
The entrepreneurs from all across the country gathered in Dublin this week to commence participation on Food Works 2016. The entrepreneurial group
includes Andrew Wynne, founder of ‘Nutmost', an innovative concept which sees nuts go through a process of soaking and drying to produce a healthier
and tastier product. Another successful candidate Niall Moloney from Pow Cow, is launching a high protein, fat free frozen yo ghurt, the first of its kind in
Europe, while James and Deirdre Cunningham from the Connemara Food Company joined the programme to launch ‘Nori' a new seaweed based salt
alternative.
Commenting on this year's programme Mary Morrissey of Bord Bia said, "The nine entrepreneurs who have been chosen for Food Works 2016 are a truly,
dynamic group. To reach this stage of the process, they have already proven their ambition and as part of the next phase, the y will look to firmly establish
successful export led food companies. It is encouraging to see many of the concepts are following current and growing consumer lifestyle trends and

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needs, with a strong focus on health and wellbeing. We look forward to working with this broad variety of innovative budding food and drink brands and
with time, we hope to see many new, successful new products launched here and abroad.”
The nine successful applicants to the 2016 Food Works panel fought off some stiff competition for a place on the highly sought after programme with some
75 different entrepreneurs vying for a place. Eighteen companies were shortlisted as bootcamp finalists during which stage the entrepreneurs were
required to pitch their product plans to seasoned industry leaders including founder of Lily O'Brien's Chocolates Mary Ann O'Brien, Larry Murrin of Dawn
Farms, founder of Largo Foods Ray Coyle and serial entrepreneur Pat Rigney.
Food Works is an intensive food business development and accelerator programme designed and run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Irela nd and Teagasc. Over
the past three years, Food Works has enabled some 60 Irish food and drink brands to launch and grow both in the Irish and international marketplace.
During the programme participants are given an invaluable range of practical business supports in order to develop an initial business concept into a
winning food product with global export potential. The ambition of the programme organisers is that each of the nine successful participants on Food
Works 2016 will complete the programme by establishing export led food and drink businesses and create employment in Ireland.
The national Food Works programme commences will run until December 2016 when the companies will produce a robust investor re ady business plan.
For further details see http://www.foodworksireland.ie