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Wexford Woman Selected for Prestigious ACORNS Programme Supporting Rural Entrepreneurs
Now in its 11th intake, the ACORNS programme (Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups) is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and delivered by Fitzsimons Consulting. It brings together a select group of female founders from across Ireland to take part in mentoring, peer-learning, and business development over a six-month period.
Kate, who runs EcoKinly from her home in County Wexford, designs and supplies reusable nappies, wipes, and period products for families looking to reduce waste. She says being chosen for the programme is both an honour and an opportunity:
“Starting a business in a rural area can sometimes feel isolating, so being part of a network of supportive, like-minded women is really encouraging,” said Kate. “I’m excited to learn, share experiences, and continue building EcoKinly as a sustainable Irish brand for modern families.”
EcoKinly’s mission is to make reusable products simple, accessible, and mainstream — helping Irish families reduce single-use plastics in everyday life. EcoKinly reusable swim nappies are hugely popular and are available in local swimming pools such as The Apex in New Ross and Splash World in Tramore. The full product range will be launching at the end of this year.
The ACORNS programme has supported more than 500 female founders since its inception, many of whom have gone on to build thriving rural businesses and local employment.
