Spark It

This start-up and accelerator programme aims to support individuals at the idea or pre-revenue stage or those who are already early stage trading to advance their business. The programme may give preference to those who have higher growth potential or are ambitious to develop or sell outside their local area.

This programme is suitable for:

• Women with a business idea at the pre-start stage.
• Women who have already been working on their business idea but are pre-revenue and need more support or to seek external investment.
• Business women who have started trading but are early stage. This may be founders trading <1 year full time or <3 years if on a part time basis/side hustle.
• Women business start-ups who have interest in developing more connections in Ireland or Northern Ireland or where their business has potential to collaborate or export.
• Women who have already attended a start-up programme and feel confident in their business skills and knowledge, but are interested in developing more connections in Ireland or Northern Ireland.
• Women who are passionate about their business ideas and who are ready to commit to being part of a 30 strong group of female founders on the island.

• This programme will provide the business founder with time and space to work on their idea through a mixture of in person all-island events and convenient online learning.
• An incredible opportunity to build a new network of business founders who are at a similar stage to you and to diversify your network – reaching all sectors and all-island.
• Insights, knowledge and advice from start-up and specialist facilitators who deliver the online training programme.
• Ideas, best practice and inspiration from speakers and facilitators at the Festival events.
• Meetings and connections with a group of peers but also 10+ role models from our Champion Growth entrepreneurs and through Women in Business, Network Ireland, Ormeau Labs and InterTradeIreland networks.
• Learnings from champions and consultants with actionable advice.
• Personal development throughout the programme and all elements contribute to renewed motivation and vision for you and your business.
• A new road map for your business.
• A network of support with like-minded founders and owners that can continue beyond the programme.

• You must be a woman founder or partner or director in the business.
• The programme is ideal for anyone at idea/pre-revenue stage.
• The programme is ideal for anyone who is early-stage trading.
• Early-stage trading suggests that you are not likely to be making an adequate full time salary from the business.
• Early-stage trading may include individuals trading full time <1 year or part time <3 years.
• You must complete an application form for the online learning programme and this will be scored.
• Individuals who have already participated in a start-up programme in their local region do not have to participate in the full programme and may just apply to attend the Festival networking and learning events.
• Additional eligibility criteria may be applied in order to help with selection if high numbers apply.

If you are unsure if the programme is suitable for you or if you have more questions, please contact vicky@womeninbusinessni.com to discuss.

• 9th September: Expressions of Interest open
• 7th October: Expressions of Interest close
• 14th October: Applications via Women in Business close
• October - November: One-to-one Idea Review and Baseline needs assessment
• December 2024 – April 2025: 12 online learning workshops
• February 2025-May 2025: 3 Peer group meetings with a Champion and 2-3 peers
• March – May 2025: 8hrs of one-to-one Buddy support with a Mentor or Entrepreneur
• Festival Events (open to those on main programme and to others 50 places for each event)
  • Saturday 9th November 2024 at Creative Spark, Dundalk
  • February 2025 at Ormeau Labs Belfast
  • April/May 2025 at Dogpatch Labs Dublin

Online Training programme (30 participants)

• One-to-one Business idea review.
• 12 online workshops on business topics delivered by start-up trainers, digital experts and community support partner Ormeau Labs (separate regional sessions on tax and legal compliance).
• Monthly online champion sessions in small groups of 4-6 people, with a Lead Champion in each group (Growth Entrepreneur) for brainstorming, accountability and motivation.
• 8hrs one-to-one business mentoring with a start-up business buddy.
• Online forum and weekly chat.

Festival Events (50 places)

3 festival days “Spark Fest” in accessible locations for all participants to connect and invite other new or recent start-ups who want to gain from the all-Island connections. Each all-Island event will be based on a “Festival day”, with facilitated networking, small group discussions, entrepreneur speakers. Locations are Dundalk, Belfast and Dublin.

The participants will gain:

• Knowledge of all the business essentials such as book keeping, sales projections, cashflow, tax (separate sessions for regions), legal compliance, HR and operations.
• Deep dive and practical coaching on business viability such as idea validation, market research, product development, value proposition, customer experience.
• Confidence and practical skills in business planning to include marketing, digital marketing, selling skills, strategy and Business.
• Understanding of opportunities and funding ecosystem including Investment options and government support.
• Coaching on mindset, stress, motivation, and values.
• Practice speaking out and pitching your idea.
• Advice from experienced entrepreneurs through case study speakers, Champion lead group chats and individual introductions.
• Connections and collaborations in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
• Local connectors through the networks of partners.
• A business action plan.

• Full online learning programme: 30 places for women founders or owners from Northern Ireland or Ireland
• Festival of Ideas: 50 places
• Festival of Action: 50 places
• Festival of Planning: 50 places

Please note: InterTradeIreland are not part of the selection process, Women in Business and Network Ireland will allocate places based on their criteria.

There is no cost to participate in this programme.

Applications for this programme have now closed.