Cycle 001 — Now Accepting Applications

Your business deserves its first real break

Ferraldo funds founders who've already started building. Apply for up to €2,500 in grant funding — no equity, no repayment, no gatekeepers.

€27
Application Fee
€2,500+
Award per Cycle
0%
Equity Taken
€2,500 Cycle 001 Award
Merit-Based No Random Draws
Ferraldo · Cycle 001
● Applications Open

Micro-Entrepreneur Award

Funding for yoga instructors, nail techs, home bakers, personal trainers, and founders building from the ground up.

Award
€2,500
Application Fee
€27
Deadline
25 Mar
Selection
Merit
Start Your Application →
Who We Fund

Built for the founders
nobody else backs

You've already started. You have customers, clients, or an audience. You just need the capital to take the next step.

🧘‍♀️

Yoga Instructors

Teaching from rented studios. Need a deposit on your own space or equipment to go independent.

💅

Nail & Beauty Techs

Mobile or home-based. Ready to invest in a chair, supplies, or your first proper setup.

🧁

Home Bakers & Chefs

Selling at markets or from home. Need funding for a commercial kitchen, packaging, or your first stall.

💪

Personal Trainers

Building a client base. Need equipment, insurance, or a space to grow beyond one-on-one sessions.

How It Works

Three steps. No gatekeepers.

Ferraldo runs monthly competition cycles. Apply once, get judged on merit, and if you score highest — you get funded.

Apply

Tell us about your business: what you do, who you serve, what traction you have, and what you'd use the funding for. Takes about 20 minutes. €27 application fee.

Get Judged

An independent panel scores every application using our published rubric. Business viability, traction, growth plan, need, and presentation. No random draws — ever.

Get Funded

The highest-scoring applicant receives the cash award via bank transfer. No equity taken, no repayment required, no strings attached. We tell your story.

What You Get

More than money

Every applicant — winner or not — gets something valuable from the process.

💰

Cash Grant (Winners)

Up to €2,500 per cycle. Direct bank transfer. No equity, no repayment, no board seats. Your money, your business.

📋

Structured Reflection

The application process forces you to articulate your business model, traction, and growth plan — clarity that pays off regardless of the outcome.

📣

Visibility (Winners)

Winner stories are featured across our channels. Free marketing for your business at the exact moment you're growing.

🤝

Community Access

Join a network of ambitious micro-entrepreneurs. Share resources, referrals, and support with people who understand the grind.

Judging Criteria

Scored on merit. Published rubric.

Every application is assessed by an independent panel using these five weighted criteria. Total: 100 points.

25%

Business Viability

Sound model with a realistic path to revenue

25%

Existing Traction

Real customers, sales, or audience — not just an idea

20%

Growth Plan

Clear, specific plan for how funds will be used

15%

Clarity of Need

Why this funding matters right now

15%

Presentation

Thoughtful, complete, well-communicated

"I taught 40 students a week from someone else's studio. I knew I could do it on my own — I just needed the deposit."

The kind of founder we fund — Yoga instructor, studio owner

Apply

€27 to apply. Up to €2,500 to receive.

One application fee. Merit-based selection. Zero equity taken.

27

One-time application fee per cycle

  • Full application review by independent judging panel
  • Scored against published 100-point rubric
  • Considered for up to €2,500 cash grant
  • No equity given up — ever
  • Results published within 14 days of closing
  • Free postal entry route also available
Start Your Application →
Who can apply?
Anyone 18+ based in Ireland or the EU/EEA who has an existing business, project, or venture with some real-world activity. You don't need to be profitable — but you need to have started.
Is there a random draw?
No. Never. Every application is scored by an independent panel using our published rubric. The highest score wins. There is no element of chance at any stage.
What if I can't afford the €27?
A free postal entry route is available. Postal applications receive identical consideration and are judged using the same rubric and panel.
Is the application fee refundable?
No. The fee covers application processing and review. Once you submit, review begins. You'll confirm this at checkout.
Do you take equity?
Zero equity. Zero repayment. The award is a grant, not an investment. Your business stays yours.
How long does the application take?
Around 20 minutes. We ask about your business, your traction, your growth plan, and why you need funding now.
Cycle 001 · Closing 25 March 2026

Ready to apply for your first break?

€27. 20 minutes. A real shot at funding for the business you're already building.

Applications close Sunday 25 March 2026. Results published within 14 days. This competition is not sponsored by any social media platform.