Issue 2
Empowering Women Across the West and North-West of Ireland The EMPOWER Programme is a free female entrepreneurship programme which is delivered by the GMIT Innovation Hub and supported by the Hubs in the Connacht-Ulster Alliance (CUA) namely IT Sligo and LYIT. It aims to fast-track female-led businesses based in the west and north-west of Ireland by addressing specific challenges hindering their development. The programme has two parts: (i) EMPOWER START for early-stage ideas or businesses less than 18 months old and (ii) EMPOWER GROWTH for females in business for two years or more. The programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020. Just under one hundred female founders have completed programmes since it kicked off back in 2017; 60 on the EMPOWER START, 37 on the EMPOWER GROWTH and there are currently 14 participants on the GROWTH 2021 programme. Sandra Divilly Nolan, EMPOWER Programme Manager, says: “The goal of the EMPOWER programme is to fast-track female entrepreneurship in the west and north-west of Ireland. A common barrier for female entrepreneurs is the knowledge and confidence to build a team to support them as their business develops. It can be difficult to get the flexibility to achieve a healthy work-life balance”. Sandra adds: “ ‘If you can see it you can be it’. Showcasing successful female entrepreneurs who are willing to share their mistakes and learnings is a key element of the EMPOWER Programme.” 36
Since 2017 the team at EMPOWER have hosted an annual EMPOWER Explore Event. Last year due to the widespread pandemic the event had to be brought online. The event focussed on subjects such as earlystage investment for women entrepreneurs, blockchain technology and achieving success in business and personal life.
If you can see it you can be it. Keynote speaker Anne Ravanona, founder of Global Invest Her and EU Delegation Member of the W20, was interviewed by MC Susan HayesCulleton CFA, “The Positive Economist”, about securing early-stage investment for female founders. Professor Joyce O’Connor, founding President of the National College of Ireland and co-founder and Chair of BlockW explained the benefits of blockchain for Irish SMEs. Shane McCarthy Founder & CEO of Irish Craft Beverages
and Victoria Thompson CoFounder and CEO at Orora shared how they embraced blockchain technology in their businesses. Entrepreneurs Brenda Romero, CEO and co-founder of Romero Games and Mairead Mackle, founder and CEO of Tarasis Enterprises talked about their stories of success in business and personal life. These ladies highlighted the possibilities of having a family and running a successful business. The ambition and success both ladies demonstrated was something that helps inspire future female founders. Three EMPOWER past participants took part in a live pitch competition; Carla Rosenkranz, Founder of BARTERKIND, Collette McGowen Founder & CEO of Kollabro and Mary McHugh Owner of Irish Online Counselling & Psychotherapy Service. The audience voted to select the winner, Carla Rosenkranz, has won mentoring and training sponsored by the LEO Mayo and a hot desk at the Mayo Innovation Hub.
WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
