Thirteen trailblazing women entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland have been selected for a transformative opportunity to work with global corporations as part of the Connect to Success (C2S) programme.
The mentoring partnerships were publicly announced at a ceremony hosted by C2S sponsor, Cliste Hospitality, at their Voco Belfast hotel on Thursday evening.
Powered by Ulster University, this pioneering initiative was officially launched last month by Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs. Special Envoy Kennedy was the keynote speaker at the ceremony, which was attended by the Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Jayne Brady and the Consul General of the United States, James Applegate.
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Connect to Success pairs locally founded women-owned businesses (WOBs) in the scale-up phase with executive teams from some of the world’s most renowned multinational corporations. Starting in January 2025, the selected entrepreneurs will gain expert mentorship to shape their long-term growth strategies from industry leaders including Aflac, AIG, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs, Google, Irish Life Group, Kainos, KPMG, PwC, Seagate, and Stripe.
Among the 13 successful applicants are the founder of an innovative pregnancy and breastfeeding pillow brand, the creator of a celebrated artisan gift shop in Belfast, and the visionary behind a luxury bakery. The programme showcases the diverse talent of Northern Ireland’s female entrepreneurs, united by their ambition to scale their businesses and contribute to local economic growth.
Connect 2 Success participant and Founder & CEO of BellaMoon, Irene Breen commented: “I’m incredibly honoured that BellaMoon has been selected for the Connect to Success Corporate Mentoring Programme. This opportunity to work closely with a world-class multinational team is both humbling and inspiring. I look forward to gaining strategic insights that will empower BellaMoon to reach new heights, particularly as we expand our presence in the USA. With guidance from industry leaders, I hope to refine our approach, uncover growth opportunities, and connect with audiences in new markets—all while staying true to our mission of supporting families. This mentorship is a unique chance to accelerate BellaMoon’s journey, and I’m deeply grateful for it.”
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Additional supporters of the C2S initiative include AwakenAngels, Catalyst, Cliste Hospitality, Endeavor Ireland, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce, Ormeau Labs, Ulster Bank, and Women in Business.
Joe Kennedy III, US Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs, announced the mentor/mentee pairings at a dedicated ceremony, stating: "Women owned-businesses are the engine of progress. To the mentors and mentees here today: you embody the best of what this special place has to offer — incredible talent, unending generosity, and a profound belief that Northern Ireland's future and economy are well worth the investment. Thank you to Connect to Success for being a launchpad for extraordinary possibilities, and congratulations to the 2025 cohort."
Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew, commented: “Connect to Success plays a vital role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in areas essential to both economic growth and gender equality - supporting female entrepreneurs and women-owned businesses. Ulster University is a committed champion of female entrepreneurship, and we are delighted to collaborate on this transformative initiative. Congratulations to the 2025 cohort, we look forward to empowering their growth and showcasing the incredible contributions of women-owned businesses to regional economic prosperity.”
Antoinette Bradley, Head of Operations & ESG, Aflac Northern Ireland said: “At Aflac Northern Ireland, being mindful of our impact on our team, community, and environment is a core part of our values, as reflected in our Community Impact strategic pillar. We actively volunteer in various philanthropic efforts, making our involvement with the Connect to Success programme particularly appealing, given the gender imbalance in our industry. Our experienced mentors bring deep business knowledge and see this as a valuable reverse-mentoring opportunity, sharing insights with female leaders while gaining diverse perspectives to enrich our own organization.”
Meet the Connect to Success 2025 Cohort
The 2025 C2S mentee group features 13 ambitious women entrepreneurs, each striving to scale their businesses, create jobs in local communities, and introduce innovative products and services to the market.
Mentees and their businesses include:
Connect to Success Mentor/Mentee Pairings include:
Connect to Success 2025 is set to drive unparalleled collaboration, equipping Northern Irish women entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and networks they need to scale their businesses and achieve long-term success.
For more information about the programme or to follow the journeys of these remarkable entrepreneurs, visit https://www.ulster.ac.uk/connect-to-success.
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