InterTradeIreland Launches Eight Entrepreneurship Programs to Support Women

In its historic and innovative attempt to provide funding support to women starting businesses in the region, InterTradeIreland jointly with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland has launched eight new and innovative programmes for women entrepreneurs in the island of Ireland. This is why such programs shall enable the female entrepreneurs to network, expand their businesses as well as the economy.

 In February 2024, the Government of Ireland revealed the largest ever €800 million investment into the Shared Island sectors of focus, among which is the €30 million Shared Island new Enterprise Scheme launched by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland. This initiative which is focused on encouraging cross-border cooperation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability devotes a considerable part of its funds to female entrepreneurs.

Alison Currie, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InterTradeIreland, expressed her excitement about the new programs, stating:

”We are extremely excited about launching these eight new programmes that will offer the most amount of effective support and opportunities for women. We were glad to work together from beginning with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland and these programmes are a call to action to empower women to advance their business and career to the next level. The island of Ireland has great potential and we invite all the talented women to take advantage of the great opportunities waiting for them.

Of these, eight specialty programmes provide support for female entrepreneurs at all levels, from new business ventures that are still finding their feet to those who need to grow well-established companies. The programs, which are now inviting submissions of Expression of Interest, therefore focuses on provision of programs that include training materials, suitable role models and business contacts that are vital for the success of a business venture.

Here’s a breakdown of the programs:

Grow it (closing October 7th)

Being precisely for the founders and business owners who are willing to proceed with the further development of their enterprises, the Grow It program, implemented by Women in Business and Network Ireland, aims at improving the efficiency of sales and marketing strategies on the island. It does not matter whether you own a company, run a firm or have established a partnership; this program gives a proper perspective that the director, partner or founder requires to expand the business.

She Scales (Closing September 30th)

The one for women that is called SheScales is provided by Awaken Hub, and is designed for female entrepreneurs who need to grow their businesses. The program gives a detailed insight into the strategies of scaling the business, the concept of sustainable growth models and the growth of important entrepreneurial skills that are critical to the business. It is a valuable tool for those who need market expansion and the strengthening of the company’s position on the market.

Spark It, who are closing its gates for the public on October 7th, has been an essential part of the fashion industry for ages now.

For women, who already have the business idea fully developed and not necessarily earning revenue yet, there is Spark It delivered by Women in Business and Network Ireland to nurture those ideas into profitable business. Chiefs and members of participants’ organizations will be advised on how to seek external investment and lay down right footing for long term sustainability.

Engage (Closing September 30th)

Engage is another pretty short and intensive training course provided by Alinea focusing on the choice of new ventures for women. Being aware of the fact that being female implies different risks and barriers when starting a business, this program provides specific approaches to avoid such barriers and create the fundamental conditions to promote the concept of women entrepreneurship.

Evolve (Closing September 30th)

 Evolve is another program offered by Alinea and as a technical startup accelerator, it is a ten-week program that much more focused on spin-out ventures. Leaden participants will familiarize themselves with effective strategies, get acquainted with examples of successful start-ups’ work, as well as listen to speakers, thus, they will receive an ideal set for successful activities.

 Innovation Labs 1 (Closing October 2nd)

 Introducing Innovation Labs 1 provided by TechFoundHer, Innovation Labs 1 is a program designed to assist women in availing tools of artificial intelligence for business performance enhancement, comprehensive market analysis, and product or service development. Through IDT and no-code/low-code technologies, this program provides women with modern tools to help them advance innovation in their businesses.

 Angel Investor Masterclasses: closing date September 30th.

 Awaken Angels provides the Angel Investor Masterclasses which is a program that seeks to reduce the unknowns of angel investment. Findings of previous studies depict that female investors give preference to the diversification of their investments than male investors. This program aims to achieve this through increasing the women’s knowledge in financial and investing especially in angel investment and coaching those Women Corp impressive startup companies.

 The Deal Leader Training Programme is now running and closes on the 30th of September.

 Another programme provided by AwakenAngels is the Deal Leader Training Programme to enable women angel investors to have advanced information on issues to do with evaluation of investment deals and conducting proper due diligence. It is a program that prepares the participants for enhanced investment decision-making processes by empowering them with good skills that qualify them to make appropriate decisions.

The new programs are an extension of a larger process to help more women in Ireland pursue entrepreneurial activities and leadership roles.

 “These programs provide a comprehensive spectrum of services ranging from financial literacy, connections, and business growth strategies for women who have decided to become business leaders and innovators, thus enhancing the development of the business sector in Northern Ireland as well as encouraging the growth of an island of connected Women in Business.”

”We consider that our economic success will rally round the skills, ambition, and talent of a diverse population Increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women in management is at the core of this mission,” These programs will not only assist women founders but also support women who want to expand their businesses and stimulate the general economy of the island. ”

These eight programmes are something that is not only exciting but also long overdue for women entrepreneurs’ right across the island of Ireland. The incubators enable them to get access to the necessary tools, materials, and people to deal with emergent barriers to female entrepreneurship. Regardless of whether you need funding to expand your existing operations or start a new venture, require financing for your business or seek funding to invest in other businesses, or wish to apply artificial intelligence to your business or consider it as an investment opportunity, such programs provide the backing needed for success.

All women founders, businesspersons, and academics would be wise to submit their expression of interest and leverage these programs. The more Ireland focuses on being a hub for a diverse and progressive culture, specifically for empowering businesswomen across the 26 counties, these measures look set to be a game-changer.