INSPIRING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
why not join them?
Have you ever thought of developing an entrepreneurial idea for an exciting new business? Are you ambitious for that potential new business? Do you foresee it trading on global markets? If so, the latest initiative to complement the award winning Going for Growth suite of initiatives, is just right for you.
ABOUT INSPIRING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
What is the objective?
To increase the number of female-led innovative businesses of scale, focused on export markets. Through the Global Entrepreneur Monitor (GEM) research, we know that more women in Ireland are becoming entrepreneurs and that even more aspire to start new businesses in the years ahead. Moreover, the rate of female early stage entrepreneurs that aspire for significant growth after starting their new business has also increased.
WHO ARE THE INSPIRING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS?
Research attests to the power of role models. We have established a panel of Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs, who through their actions and accomplishments have shown what is possible. They have come from similar backgrounds to the target group- senior corporate positions, academia and the professions and have developed significant businesses. We hope that they in turn will inspire others to follow in their entrepreneurial footsteps.
WHAT'S INVOLVED
Supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs is a specially tailored initiative, which is mindful of the specific challenge of encouraging more women to establish scalable, innovative business, which are focused on export markets. It proposes a three-step inverted pyramid approach to meet the objective set.
1. Inspire
2. Foster
3. Support
The Going for Growth Suite of Initiatives
Going for Growth is the brainchild of Paula Fitzsimons who put it forward in response to an initiative on women and entrepreneurship proposed by the NDP Gender Equality Unit in the then Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. ‘My mission in Going for Growth is to support women entrepreneurs to achieve their growth ambitions and to get more women entrepreneurs into a growth frame of mind’.
Since 2009 the merits and excellence of Going for Growth have been recognised repeatedly by the EU, OECD, and European Institute of Gender Equality. In 2015, Going for Growth was awarded the European Enterprise Promotion Award, Investing in Entrepreneurial Skills. In 2016, the initiative was included by the EU and OECD in a compendium of examples of innovative initiatives. The entrepreneurship tool for policy makers, released by the EU and OECD, includes Going for Growth as a case study.
Since its initial creation, Going for Growth has developed into a complementary suite of initiatives which focuses on supporting ambitious women entrepreneurs to achieve their growth aspirations throughout the various stages of their entrepreneurial journey. It also has developed into a virtuous circle whereby many of those who have benefited from the peer support willingly take the opportunity to give back. The one area that has not been covered up to this point is the earlier pre revenue stage.
Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs is proudly supported by:
What people are saying
“Enterprise Ireland believes that Ireland’s economic success will depend on a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem which utilises all the skills, ambition and talent of a diverse population. Increasing the opportunities for women entrepreneurs and women in management is a key focus for Enterprise Ireland, and our six-year Women in Business Strategy aims to grow the number of women becoming entrepreneurs and leaders. We’ve set ambitious targets, including doubling the number of women-led companies in the export market by 2025, and progress is now clear. In 2022, 58 (more than one-third) of the 161 start-ups we invested in were women-led, up from just 8% in 2012. ‘Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs’ is all about reaching out to and supporting women who want to become entrepreneurs and build innovative businesses of scale, focused on export markets. I have no doubt that many of these will be leading Irish companies in the future and we look forward to supporting them on their journey.”
“KPMG has a strong track record of supporting women in business, so we are proud to be involved with Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs. We are excited to see all of the opportunities that this initiative will open for women who have a vision to harness their skills to be entrepreneurs growing scalable businesses. This tailored initiative will encourage more women to establish innovative businesses focused on growth with global ambition. In addition to the panel of Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs who will offer insights into their entrepreneurial journey, KPMG’s experts will facilitate a series of Inspiring workshops and share their expertise with this year’s ambitious entrepreneurs on a wide range of key business matters such as cyber security, corporate and tax governance, raising finance and much more.”
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