TU Dublin, SuperValu, and Local Enterprise Office launch new food and drink entrepreneurship course as part of the Food Academy Programme
Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has launched its inaugural Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship, a pioneering programme developed in collaboration with SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Office as part of the Food Academy Programme. The innovative new course will equip aspiring food and drink entrepreneurs with the essential skills and knowledge to succeed in the Irish food industry.
Designed to address the growing demands of Ireland’s burgeoning food and drink sector, this innovative programme is the result of a strategic partnership between the School of Culinary Arts & Food Technology at TU Dublin, SuperValu, Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), and the Enterprise Academy at TU Dublin. It showcases the university’s commitment to collaborating with industry leaders for educational opportunities that develop skills and create new career pathways in the food and drink sector.
The Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship expands and accredits the existing programme, ensuring participants develop essential knowledge in food safety to scale their food and drink businesses. Additionally, successful participants will have the opportunity to trial their products in local SuperValu stores, providing invaluable market exposure. Currently, over 300 Food Academy producers have products in SuperValu stores across Ireland and have collectively surpassed €260 million in retail sales since the programme began in 2013.
The Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship (TU 5093, 15 ECTS, Level 6) was officially launched today at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman Campus by Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD. Highlighting the significance of this initiative for the Irish food and drink sector, Minister Burke said:
“I am delighted to be in Grangegorman in TU Dublin today for the launch of this innovative new course in food entrepreneurship. The Irish food and drink industry is a hugely important one in terms of economic contribution, with exports in this sector valued at €17bn in 2024. We have high-quality produce to work with - combined with culinary skills and business acumen - and entrepreneurs are well-placed to launch their products into a thriving market. Qualifications such as TU Dublin’s Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship – in collaboration with the Local Enterprise Office and SuperValu – provide excellent opportunities for those considering careers or new businesses, in this important indigenous industry.”
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Mr Peter Burke, TD formally launches the Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship at TU Dublin.
Welcoming Minister Burke and esteemed guests, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, remarked: “For more than 80 years, TU Dublin has been at the forefront of food entrepreneurship in Ireland, empowering culinary innovators to transform their passion into successful businesses. This collaboration between TU Dublin, SuperValu, and Local Enterprise Offices combines our expertise in food innovation with commercial insights and business acumen. The result is a programme that will provide participants with the tools they need to take their businesses to a larger national stage.”
The Food Academy programme, which has successfully operated for 12 years and is supported by SuperValu and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEO) network, has a strong track record of nurturing Irish food and drink businesses. It has enabled scores of small Irish food businesses to grow and thrive in a competitive retail market. Successful producers from Food Academy include Sushi King, Drummully Boxty and SynerChi kombucha, all of which can be found in SuperValu stores nationwide.
In August 2024, 32 Irish food and drink producers joined the new revised TU Dublin pilot programme, benefiting from expert training, authentic assessments, and university accreditation. Fees for this programme are subsidised via the Higher Education Authority’s HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy.
Photo 1: Dr. Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin. Photo 2: Ciara McClafferty, Trading Director, SuperValu. Photo 3: Tomás Hayes, Head of Local Enterprise Office, Kerry.
Luke Hanlon, Managing Director, SuperValu, commented: “SuperValu is delighted to be an integral part of this partnership with TU Dublin today, marking a significant milestone for the Food Academy programme. Now in its 12th year, Food Academy is the only accredited producer development programme dedicated to supporting innovative small to medium food and drink businesses across Ireland.
“Since its inception in 2013, Food Academy producers have collectively surpassed €260 million in retail sales, underscoring the programme’s remarkable impact on the Irish food and drink industry. Through this exciting partnership with TU Dublin, we are further strengthening the credentials of our Food Academy producers. The strength and growth of Irish food producers is key to driving economic growth and fostering innovation within Ireland’s food and drink sector.”
“Food development is a key sector in our enterprise development activities as it leads to local, sustainable job creation and development”, added Tomás Hayes of the National LEO Food Committee. “The network of Local Enterprise Offices has been engaged with the Food Academy Programme for over 10 years. The accreditation by TU Dublin recognises the strength of the programme and brings added value and a progression path for participants.”
Photo 1: Edel Clancy, Commercial Director, SuperValu is greeted by Dr. Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin with Dr. Claire Mc Bride, Head of the Enterprise Academy at TU Dublin. Photo 2: Dr. Ciara Walsh Senior Engagement Manager at TU Dublin Enterprise Academy, Dr. Orla McDonagh, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Mr Peter Burke, TD, Dr. Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, Dr. Denise O'Leary, Head of the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology and Dr. Claire Mc Bride, Convene Project Lead and Head of the Enteprise Academy at TU Dublin, 4th April, 2025 at the launch of the TU Dublin Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship.
"Working in close partnership with SuperValu, the Local Enterprise Offices, and the School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology, the Enterprise Academy is proud to be at the forefront of fostering innovation and collaboration through the launch of the Certificate in Food Entrepreneurship. This programme reflects TU Dublin’s commitment to equipping entrepreneurs with the skills they need to succeed in the dynamic and competitive food sector but moreover pays testament to the power of partnership. Collectively, we are providing learners with a unique blend of academic expertise, industry insight, and practical experience.," said Dr. Claire Mc Bride, Convene Project Lead and Head of the Enterprise Academy at TU Dublin.
Yesterday Food Academy food entrepreneurs, Leigh Kelly, founder of Zaeire, Artisan Chocolates, Eniola Salami, founder of Joyof, West African Sauces, Richard Francis, founder of Mushrooms and Love, and Yasmin Halpin co-founder of Bay Biotics had the opportunity to showcase their food innovations.
The Food Academy Programme is currently open for applications until April 11th. Apply now through www.localenterprise.ie/FoodSupports/Food-Academy-Programme/.