In February 2024, the Irish Government announced €800m of funding for Shared Island priorities, including €30m towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland.

As part of this scheme, a dedicated initiative to foster women’s entrepreneurship on an all-island basis was launched. Following pilot recruitment in Autumn 2024, these initial pilot activities will conclude by June 2025.

Pilot Programmes include:

• Deal Leader Training, delivered by AwakenAngels

• Angel Investor Masterclass, delivered by AwakenAngels

• Spark It, delivered by Women in Business and Network Ireland

• Grow It, delivered by Women in Business and Network Ireland

• Innovation Labs, delivered by TechFoundHer

• Engage, delivered by Alinea

• Evolve, delivered by Alinea

• SheScales, delivered by AwakenHub

The outcomes of these pilots, along with our feasibility study, will shape the next phase of women’s entrepreneurship programmes. New opportunities for support will be announced later this year as we build on the success and learnings of this initiative.