Women Entrepreneurs Invited to Join New Programmes Driving Growth, Innovation and Scale Across the Island
Women entrepreneurs across the island of Ireland are invited to apply for three new programmes designed to help them grow, innovate and scale their businesses.
Delivered as part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme and led by InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, the suite of programmes, set to commence at the start of 2026, will support women entrepreneurs at every stage, from early ventures to scaling already established businesses. Participants will gain access to expert mentorship, tailored support, workshops and networking opportunities that will accelerate their business growth.
The three new programmes are:
- WeBuild - A tech programme, delivered by TechFoundHer, designed to empower women entrepreneurs to accelerate their tech-driven business ideas, and develop tech-enabled ventures focused on innovation, AI learning and building strong, future-ready businesses.
- WeGrow - A growth programme for established women-led SMEs who are aiming for growth and expansion across the island and seeking to reflect on their business potential. This programme will be delivered by Women in Business NI and Network Ireland.
- WeScale - A scaling programme dedicated towards empowering women entrepreneurs to scale strategically and sustainably, blending world-class learning, bespoke mentoring and investor access. This programme is delivered by AwakenHub.
Speaking about the launch of the new tech programme, Máirín Murray, co-founder of TechFoundHer said:
This is our moment - the tools, the timing, and the opportunity have aligned.
You don’t have to be a coder to build a credible tech product anymore. With GenAI and no-code tools, women can design, test, and launch faster than ever, but WeBuild goes deeper. It’s about building credibility - strong ideas, strong roadmaps, and ventures that investors and customers take seriously.
If you’re ready to accelerate your product and turn insight into impact, this is where it happens. The old tech playbook is being torn up - WeBuild is where women are writing the new one.
Máirín Murray, Co-founder of TechFoundHer
Roisin McDermott, Head of Entrepreneurship at Women in Business NI who will deliver the growth programme in partnership with Network Ireland said:
WeGrow will take you on a journey; it will challenge you and support you to reflect on your business, through a range of specialist training, peer circles, mentoring, support and connections. It's your chance to take a strategic pause, and to work out your best plan of growth.
Roisin McDermott, Head of Entrepreneurship at Women in Business NI
This programme represents a transformative opportunity for women leaders across the island as they grow and evolve in business. I’m thrilled to be part of leading and delivering this initiative over the next three years. It’s an exceptional chance to connect, collaborate, and be part of something truly special - empowering women to step up, break barriers, and build bridges for sustainable growth.
Emma Early Murphy, Consultant, Collaborations Lead and WeGrow Programme Manager for Network Ireland
Denise McQuaid from AwakenHub, which will be delivering the scaling programme, said:
AwakenHub is proud to lead on the WeScale initiative as part of the landmark Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, and to give women founders a permission slip to lead differently. This vital programme builds on our experience of providing women founders with the tools, mentorship, know-how, and networks they need to expand their businesses internationally, all supported by a vibrant, strong, and welcoming peer community sharing similar journeys.
I encourage any woman founder, wherever they are on the island, who is interested in entering new markets, to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for the programme.
Denise McQuaid, AwakenHub
Applications for WeBuild, WeGrow and WeScale are now open. Information on the programmes and eligibility criteria is available here.
In February 2024, the Government of Ireland announced €30m funding towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Among the priorities for the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme is fostering women’s entrepreneurship on an all-island basis.
