Full coverage: EIIS

On the back of its success backing companies like LetsGetChecked and Flipdish, Alan Merriman's Elkstone has convinced the authorities of applying EIIS tax advantages to a multi-company investment fund targeting early-stage companies in Ireland.

With more and more entrepreneurs emerging on the distilling market, Elliot Hughes talks to The Currency on how he finances one of the most popular distilleries in Ireland, why he is glad there is more competition in the industry and his company’s most recent cask programme.

June O’Connell gave up a career as a corporate lawyer to co-found a whiskey and gin distillery in her home town of Cahersiveen. Four years later, she has a €10m distillery, a pop up shop and is in talks to raise millions in investment for her company Skellig Six18.

It was designed as a tax incentive to support young businesses. But the companies that need EIIS funding the most are effectively being locked out by the rules of the scheme.