AwakenHub is inviting tech and tech-enabled women founders from across the island of Ireland who are ready to scale their business, expand into international markets, and prepare for investment to apply for the newly launched WeScale programme.
WeScale is part of a new three-year programme led by InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, funded by the Government of Ireland, aimed at unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs across the island.
The programme builds on the success of AwakenHub’s previous SheScales programme and offers a comprehensive scaling curriculum co-designed with Cranfield University. Participants in the programme will benefit from expert-led sessions on strategy, operations, leadership, finance, market expansion, sustainability, and the application of AI within business, including modules such as AI Awareness Activation and Driving Value from AI Adoption. Participants will also take part in three in-person residentials and a series of online modules combining deep-dive learning with flexible peer-led discussions, enabling founders to apply insights directly to their businesses.
Speaking about the new programme, Denise McQuaid, cofounder of AwakenHub, said: “If you’re a woman founder or cofounder of a tech-based business on the island of Ireland who wants to scale, internationalise, or raise, then you cannot afford to miss this opportunity. WeScale is unlike any other scaling programme. Through the AwakenHub team and our fantastic founder community, participants will receive tailored one-to-one mentoring and direct access to experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and sector specialists who can offer targeted guidance on everything from pricing models and tech roadmaps to team development and investment readiness.
“As an organisation focused on levelling the playing field for women founders, AwakenHub also ensures our programme participants get curated investor introductions, corporate engagement opportunities, and hands-on support to prepare investor-ready financial plans. The WeScale programme also places a strong focus on international expansion and on helping founders prepare for global market entry through our US trade mission and cross-border collaboration opportunities. Crucially, the programme doesn’t end at graduation. We’ll be adding to our already fantastic AwakenHub founder community so that even when this programme ends, founders continue to receive peer support and shared learning, or as they tell us, an invaluable new group of friends who are also walking in their shoes and who are there for advice, the tough days, and the wins.”
Tech founders interested in applying to WeScale, which has 18 places available in each cohort, can attend one of two upcoming information sessions co-hosted by previous participants of AwakenHub’s scaling programmes. The founders will outline their experiences, what they found most valuable, and how AwakenHub’s support helped accelerate their businesses. Previous tech-graduates of AwakenHub initiatives and the organisation’s St Brigid’s Day Trade Missions to the US include Wendy Slattery (Beauty Buddy and Kaidron, Co. Kildare), Shana Chu (Tailr, Wexford), Breda O’Regan (Lia Eyecare, Cork), Michelle Connolly (Educational Voice, Belfast), and Sarah Marie Rust (EVE Mobility, Dublin).
Further information on AwakenHub, Ireland's first and only all-island community for women founders, can be found online at
www.awakenhub.com
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