CSF has been replaced by the €100k Pre Seed Fund

Enterprise Ireland Update October 2022

This online workshop will be replaced soon - the majority of the content is relevant to the Pre Seed Fund which only requires a text-based application. There is no pre-recorded video or pitch assessment. The relevant sections are now included in the Free Preview - create a free account to access.

Client Testimonials

Assistance with CSF

“Donncha had been a trainer on New Frontiers North West Phase 1 and Phase II, so he was familiar with my business but more importantly I always found him to be honest in delivering a review whether positive or negative. In fact, he wasn’t such a big fan of my business idea at the start, but when I identified that he represented the 3% of the market that I wasn’t interested in targeting he knew I understood the market, and my own market segmentation. Honest reviews are so important when you are developing a product/business, and that is what Donncha always delivered. I would without hesitation recommend Donncha for business advice especially in relation to the CSF application process. He understands the process so well, and what is required. His business consultancy is efficient, effective and delivers results. I was awarded the CSF Investment in September 2017 under the New Frontiers call. The Investment from Enterprise Ireland, has enabled me to secure further investment, and launch Bababou professionally into the marketplace, Ireland and beyond. https://bababou.com”

Lucia Nash - Donegal

“I have worked with Donncha through the New Frontiers programme and also in a mentor capacity after the programme ended. I found Donncha to be a wealth of knowledge and experience when it came to the CSF application. He knew the application process and expectations inside out and his experience really came across in this mentoring. He guided me through the entire process from the application and then to the pitch and the interview. We were successful with our CSF application on our first interview and I have no doubt that Donncha's help and guidance made this happen. I would thoroughly recommend that any applicants thinking or in the process of applying for CSF would avail of Donncha's Masterclass course as it is a fantastic and time saving resource. ”

Collette McGowan, CEO + Founder, Kollabro

Course Modules

Intro + 6 Modules + Conclusion

  • Enterprise Ireland's CSF Process

    How the application is evaluated by EI - updated February 2021 and 2022 new criteria

  • CSF Stage 1 Applicaton Form

    Key sections of the Application form discussed with reference to evaluation criteria.

  • Stage 2 The Pitch

    How to structure and deliver the 4 Minute Investor Pitch

Delivered by

Member of CSF External Evaluation Panel

Donnchadh Hughes

Business Advisor, Mentor & Trainer

Donncha has over 10 years direct consultancy experience working with startups and microenterprise in Ireland. He is an expert in Business Model Canvas, Marketing, Self Employment in Ireland, Financial Projections and Business Plan and Tender Preparation.

Course curriculum

    1. Intro for Thinkific CSF Masterclass Updated 2021 and 2022

    2. CSF Masterclass Module 1 CSF Process (Updated 2022)

    1. Section Message - Stage 1 Evaluation

    2. Video Module 2 CSF Masterclass 2018 - Milestones

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Video Module 3 CSF Masterclass 2018 - Customer & Value Proposition

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Module 4 - Market Opportunity & Competition

      FREE PREVIEW

    5. Module 5 - Team

      FREE PREVIEW

    6. Module 6 - Ambition

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. The 4 Minute Pitch - Preparation

    2. CSF Stage 2 is online in 2021 and 2022

      FREE PREVIEW

    1. Video Conclusion CSF Masterclass

About this course

  • €50,00
  • 11 lessons
  • 2 hours of video content

Participant Reviews

What startup promotors say

5 star rating

This course is the very minimum you should do to get the CSF funding

Lorcan Mcneela

I had tried to apply to the CSF twice and I was rejected twice before I found Donnchadh online, I contacted him and explained the situation and he immediately knew I had a good case, the problem was I just wasn't presenting it properly. https://Ea...

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I had tried to apply to the CSF twice and I was rejected twice before I found Donnchadh online, I contacted him and explained the situation and he immediately knew I had a good case, the problem was I just wasn't presenting it properly. https://Eatstro.com is the name of my company, we deliver healthy meal-kits all over Ireland. Donnchadh pointed me in the direction of his invaluable CSF course which I followed. He very kindly reviewed my application before I submitted it and this time it was approved to pitch. We spoke by phone at length about the pitch I wrote and he was very happy with the answers we'd written for the potential questions. Donnachadh also gave us some more questions we hadn't thought of and lucky he did because they came up during the pitch. Overall we wouldn't have gotten the CSF without the help of Donnchadh's course. Thanks again for all the help Donnchadh and if anyone wants to discuss my CSF experience Donnchadh can forward on my contact details, Best, Lorcan M.

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5 star rating

Comprehensive step-by-step guide to the CSF application process

Roisin Kelly

This course is very helpful when preparing a CSF application. It's straight to the point, professionally delivered and uses practical examples throughout to emphasize key points. If you're looking for a comprehensive step-by-step guide to the CSF ...

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This course is very helpful when preparing a CSF application. It's straight to the point, professionally delivered and uses practical examples throughout to emphasize key points. If you're looking for a comprehensive step-by-step guide to the CSF application process, then I'd recommend this course. Additionally, Donncha is always happy to answer any questions and he responds promptly with insightful answers as he understands the urgency. If you're thinking of applying for the CSF but not sure where to start, then this course is definitely for you.

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5 star rating

Super Helpful

Caroline Birch

I met Donncha prior to purchasing the course and am absolutely thrilled I did so. Working with the videos in tandem to filling out the CSF application was incredibly helpful. The application itself doesn't seem to complicated until you start reali...

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I met Donncha prior to purchasing the course and am absolutely thrilled I did so. Working with the videos in tandem to filling out the CSF application was incredibly helpful. The application itself doesn't seem to complicated until you start realising the word count on each section makes it incredibly difficult to say everything you need to say. The course helped with this - making sure the application contained everything required to get the attention of those who would be reviewing. Would definitely recommend this course to anyone looking for help in applying for CSF.

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5 star rating

A superb source of info for the CSF application.

Glenda Hahn

July 2019 - this course was brilliant. It focused on all the areas that needed clarification and helped me immensely in applying for the female entrepreneurship call. Don’t hesitate to do this!

July 2019 - this course was brilliant. It focused on all the areas that needed clarification and helped me immensely in applying for the female entrepreneurship call. Don’t hesitate to do this!

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Fixed Price

One year access to this online Masterclass

FAQ

About CSF Online Masterclass

  • Is CSF still available - October 2022?

    No. CSF has been replaced by Enterprise Ireland. As of October 2022 startup promoters can apply for the Pre Seed Fund of €100,000. And yes if you received CSF previously you can apply for the Pre Seed Fund (but just €50k to bring to total of €100k)

  • How do you answer questions that may arise as I watch the videos?

    There is a Question/Comment area for all course participants. I would be delighted to answer your questions. Everyone can see the answers so your questions help everyone to learn.

  • Can this course be viewed on mobile?

    Yes, Thinkific is a great plaftform and works well on smaller screens. You do need internet connection

  • Are you an employee of Enterprise Ireland?

    No. The views expressed here are not those of Enterprise Ireland (EI). I am an independent business advisor - as part of a tender process I joined the EI CSF Evaluation Panel.