Seven women-led companies from Northern Ireland are among 20 businesses participating in a major trade mission to the United States next week.
AwakenHub, Ireland’s only all-island community for women founders, and AwakenAngels, the first all-island women-led investment community, are set to lead a high-impact St. Brigid’s Day trade mission to Boston and New York next week from February 3 to 7.
Aiming to bolster investment in Irish-owned women-led businesses, the mission will see 25 women founders showcase 20 innovative companies with financial asks ranging from $1M to $3M.
Now in its third year, previous participants in the AwakenAngels and AwakenHub St Brigid’s trade missions have received six-figure investments in as little as seven weeks following meetings organised as part of the trip.
This year, some of the most innovative Irish women-led companies from the Health and Life Sciences, B2B SaaS, Digital Technologies, and Sustainability sectors across the island of Ireland will be taking part. Seven of the women-led companies are from Northern Ireland while eleven are based in ROI. The AwakenAngels and AwakenHub’s co-founders will also attend investment meetings as part of the mission.
Delegates will take part in a range of meetings and events organised by AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, including high-level briefings with the British and Irish consulates in Boston and New York, and Underscore VC in Boston. They will also participate in founder showcases in front of a select group of investors, VC’s, and interested parties keen to support and be involved with the mission. Guests from New York and Boston are also being invited to learn more about the fundamentals of angel investing and opportunities to back women-led ventures from Ireland in a series of angel investing Masterclasses hosted by AwakenAngels.
Photo Caption: Mary McKenna Chair and co-founder of AwakenAngela and AwakenHub and Irish Ambassador to Great Britain Martin Fraser at the Irish Embassy, London
Speaking ahead of the mission, Clare McGee, co-founder and CEO of AwakenAngels and Awaken Hub, said: “The women founders taking part in our mission have the potential to drive huge economic growth on our island. With investment in women-founded companies still critically low, however, they need specific support and we’re immensely proud that AwakenAngels and AwakenHub are there to provide that.
“Our St Brigid’s trade mission is coming at a crucial time for many of our delegates as they are at a significant juncture in their growth journey. We are confident that through our support and connections on this mission, many will receive the financial backing they seek and make the kinds of contacts that are such an important part of the entrepreneurial journey.
“Our St Brigid’s Day trade mission has quickly become a key event in the calendar for many venture capitalists and investors in the US and we’re immensely proud of that. We started both of our Awaken ventures to drive lasting, impactful change in the startup ecosystem for women across this island. That’s what we’re doing and what we’re going to continue to do.”
Antrim-based, mother and daughter duo from Bushmills, Karen & Ellen Yates, of Taylor Yates are on their second Trade Mission with AwakenHub and raising $1M to scale Taylor Yates into a global, responsible luxury brand for conscious consumers. Speaking about last year's event, Karen Yates, said: “The AwakenAngela and AwakenHub St Brigid’s trade mission is built by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs with focus, ambition, and generosity every step of the way. We feel this a non-negotiable as a company looking to scale.”
Michelle Connolly from Antrim, the founder of Educational Voice, which is an innovative animation studio specialising in e-learning resources and engaging learning animations for children and adults, added: “This a unique opportunity for Educational Voice to source partnerships with educational institutions, e-learning platforms, and corporate training providers, as well as collaborations with ed-tech distributors and educational publishers. Being part of a women-led and women-founder trade mission is the icing on the cake.”
Photo Caption: Clare-McGee from Derry CEO AwakenHub & AwakenAngels
The women founders taking part in the St Brigid’s trade mission are:
From Co. Antrim
6D-Dementia Ltd, Frances Duffy, from Portrush
Educational Voice, Michelle Connolly, from Belfast
Silver Apples Media, Angela Wilson, from Belfast
Taylor Yates, Karen, and Ellen Yates, from Bushmills
From Co. Derry/Londonderry
Clúmh, Lisa McLaughlin, from Derry
SeeMe Ltd, Mary Blake, from Derry
Co Dublin
Back To Work Connect, Gina Oglesby, from Dublin
EVE Mobility, Sarah-Marie Rust, from Dublin
Gigi Supplements, Jennie Haire, from Portmarnock (co-founder Lisa Hughes)
Co. Cork
Lia Eyecare Breda O'Regan and Sinéad Buckley, Macroom
Co Donegal
ITUS Secure Technologies, Clare Ryan, from Newtowncunningham
Co Galway
OnaWave Medical, Siobhan Kelleher
Co Kildare
Beauty Buddy, Wendy Slattery from Leixlip
Kowroo Sheelagh Brady from Donadea
Co Louth
With Everly, Orla McDonnell from Dundalk (co-founder Laura Downes from Drogheda)
Co Waterford
Tailr, Shana Chu, from Waterford
All of the women founders attending the mission are self-funding their places. The Department of Foreign Affairs Emigrant Support Programme and The Irish American Partnership are supporting the mission.
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