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Are you a pre-start, startup, or early-stage business looking to expand beyond your local area? The All-Island Spark It Programme for women who have already been working on their business idea but need more support or are keen to seek external investment.
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In February 2024, the Irish Government announced €800 million in funding for Shared Island priorities, including €30 million for the new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland. This scheme includes a component dedicated to fostering female entrepreneurship on an all-island basis. The initial stage involves funding early pilot activities across the island to help shape future programmes.
This fully funded, start-up accelerator programme, delivered by Women in Business and Network Ireland, supports 15 founders from Northern Ireland and 15 founders from Ireland who are at the idea stage or who are 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.
While the current round of applications for Spark It is closed, we encourage you to explore other opportunities from Women in Business and Network Ireland. Keep an eye on our business support page for future programmes and initiatives.
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.
Businesswomen 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.
Roisin is a Business Mentor and Trainer with over 20 years experience in supporting entrepreneurship, with a particular interest in female enterprise and social economy. Before joining the Women in Business team, she has been self-employed for 14 years as Seed Mentoring, working as a consultant supporting startups, micro business and small business through training, mentoring and project management. Prior to this she worked in the enterprise agency network for North Down Development/ East Belfast Enterprise and was one of the primary founders and voluntary Directors of Women in Business, where she served for 7 years. She is also the Treasurer of Specialisterne NI since its foundation in 2015, a social enterprise supporting neuro-diversity and employability and a voluntary Coach of a local girls football team since 2019. She has a degree in Business Studies, an MBA, and an Advanced Diploma in Digital Marketing.
Emma Early Murphy is an award-winning entrepreneur and qualified business consultant and mentor with over 25 years of experience in business development, strategy, economic growth, and entrepreneurship. As the Director of MCCM, she specialises in mentoring, coaching, leadership, and business growth. Emma served as the National President of Network Ireland in 2023, where she successfully led and elevated the organisation’s position in the marketplace. In 2024, she is the Collaborations & Strategy Lead at Network Ireland. She also co-leads and manages the All Island Grow It Programme 2023/2024 alongside Roisin of Women in Business NI, demonstrating her commitment to fostering growth and collaboration.
Chat with us: vicky@womeninbusinessni.com
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