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We are seeking ambitious women entrepreneurs who want to take their business to the next level of growth. Are you passionate, committed and determined to make it happen?

Shared Island Initiative
Government of Ireland InterTradeIreland Women in Business Network Ireland


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, growth programme, delivered by Women in Business and Network Ireland, supports 15 founders from Northern Ireland and 15 founders from Ireland who have a solid business market and are ambitious to take their business to the next level of growth.

While the current round of applications for Grow 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, or express your interest in joining our Grow It Northern Ireland Programme 2025 below.

Grow It Northern Ireland | Expression of Interest

Who should apply?

We are seeking driven and dedicated business leaders, including Owners, Founders and Directors who are eager to elevate their businesses. These individuals should possess a strong commitment to their vision and exhibit ambition and passion. Qualifying factors include:

  1. Interest in expanding into an All-Island market or growing an existing customer base.
  2. A desire to achieve growth by enhancing their team, exploring new export markets, refining branding & marketing strategies, seeking external investment, increasing sales revenue and leadership skills.
  3. Business owners who have a solid business and market, but feel that there are elements of their business that they could improve and scale, and would benefit from direction, clarity, structure, focus. 
  4. For businesses located in Ireland, that wish to develop sales into Northern Ireland and rest of the UK, or to build on existing customer base or develop collaborations.
  5. For businesses located in Northern Ireland, they may wish to develop sales into Ireland or build on an existing customer base or develop collaborations.
Eligibility Criteria
  • You must be a woman founder or partner/Director in the business.
  • Minimum 2 years trading and beyond the start up phase.
  • Minimum turnover of £80,000, seeking growth and All-Island connections.
  • You MUST be or become a member of either Women in Business NI or Network Ireland. Membership fees are annual and must be paid for a minimum of 1 year. Rates are on the relevant websites. You do not have to pay the membership fee until a place has been confirmed. 
  • You must complete an application form on the Women in Business NI website and this will be scored. (Please note this is in addition to completing an Expression of Interest on the InterTradeIreland website).
  • You must be committed to attend the full programme, and carry out any tasks to prepare for the workshops.
  • Additional eligibility criteria may be applied in order to help with selection if high numbers apply.
Key dates & activities
2024

9th September: Expressions of Interest open
7th October: Expressions of Interest close
14th October: Applications via Women in Business close
November: 1:1 Needs assessment with successful applicants
25th - 26th November: 2 day residential with 30 participants from North and South focusing on Growth, Strategy and Connections to take place in Killeavy Castle, Newry.
10th or 11th December: Full day in person masterclass day on Growth through Branding and Marketing to take place in Belfast (10th Dec) and Dublin (11th Dec) locations.
 

January – June 2025 (dates to be confirmed):

 
  • 3 in person full day masterclasses focusing on growth through selling, finance and leadership. These will be scheduled 3 weeks apart to allow for learning and action. They will take place simultaneously in North and South locations for the local groups of 15 women founders to attend to save on travel time and will be delivered by local specialist trainers.
  • 3 additional in person full day Northern Ireland and Ireland groups will take place intermittently and will be for all 30 participants. These will focus on strategic planning, growth mindset, scaling and connections. They will be a mixture of delivery by expert facilitators, role model entrepreneur speakers, groups masterminds and 1:1 meetings. There will be a focus on fostering North-South connections. Locations to be confirmed.
  • 2 online meetings for all 30 participants for connecting and supporting each other.
  • 1 in person full day alumni event in June 2025 for participants to meet with previous programme participants and women founders.
  • 5 hours of 121 consultancy support with a growth or specialist consultant. Matching in February. Consultancy March-May.
  • 3 online peer group meetings with champions. Working in small groups of 2-4 participants you will be allocated an experienced entrepreneur to brainstorm, plan and goal set. Currently scheduled April – June.
Programme delivery format
  • All-Island two day residential at Killeavy Castle, Newry late November or early December.
  • 3 in-person all-island events focusing on strategy and growth, mastermind group meetings to include full day/evening networking and optional overnight at own cost
  • 4 in person specialist masterclasses “Learn -Think -Apply”, facilitated by external consultants and delivered in each region to save travel time. Subjects will be marketing, selling, finance and leadership.
  • 3x individual growth action planning sessions with a growth consultant or specialist
  • 3x online mastermind sessions in small mixed groups of 4 participants from the Northern Ireland and Ireland led by Champion Entrepreneurs through the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Programme.
  • Online forum and weekly chat
  • 2 online All-Island online Mastermind sessions
  • Invitation to All Island Alumni event to bring 60 women together from Northern Ireland and Ireland for a day of connections and meetings.

How your business will benefit

  • Build connections in Northern Ireland and Ireland
  • Increased turnover or profitability
  • Increased staffing or resources
  • New markets or new revenue streams
  • Strategic analysis and strategic planning
  • A takeaway strategic action plan
  • Increased confidence in all areas of business development
  • Create a growth mindset
  • Become a stronger leader
  • Renewed ambition and vision

How you will benefit

  • Providing the business owner with time and space to work ON the business and not IN the business.
  • An incredible opportunity to build a new network of business owners who are at a similar stage to you and to diversify your network – reaching all sectors and all-island.
  • Insights, tips and advice from specialist facilitators who deliver the masterclasses.
  • Meetings and connections with a group of 29 peers but also 10+ role models from EY (our Champions) and through Women in Business, Network Ireland and InterTradeIreland networks.
  • Learnings from champions and consultants and actionable advice.
  • Personal development throughout the programme and all elements contribute to renewed motivation and vision for you and your business.
  • A new road map for your business.
  • A network of support with like-minded founders/owners that can continue beyond the programme.

Why you should apply...

“It was a very safe environment, where everyone was respected at all levels. I have learned so much and will continue to build on this thank you.”

Santis O’Gara | Budget Mindset Club

Grow It Graduate 2023

“The timing of this programme was perfect as it enabled me to plan a strategy to scale and move the business forward.”

Loraa White | Music Video Marketplace

Grow It Graduate 2023

“The ability to learn from others outside your industry was invaluable. Our group mentor sessions were far more beneficial than I expected.”

Pauline Clarke | Kookee

Grow It Graduate 2023

“It guided me to think about the route to market and it helped to pivot our current business model from B2C focused to B2B focused. ”

Vivian Wong | One More Thing

Grow It Graduate 2023

“As a result of this programme, I have the confidence and knowledge to scale and grow the business.”

Sylvia Darragh | Natural Salt Therapy

Grow It Graduate 2023

“Hearing all the challenges other participants have faced, and continue to face, makes me realise that I can continue in spite of challenges.”

Lisa Park | Park Studios

Grow It Graduate 2023

“There is so much that comes out of bringing a group of like-minded women together and giving them space to discuss and be vulnerable in uncomfortable business discussions.”

Louise Corrigan Associates

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Meet the programme managers:

Roisin McDermott

Roisin McDermott

Women in Business | Head of Entrepreneurship

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

Emma Early Murphy

Network Ireland | National President

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

Supported by:

Blank
Enterprise Ireland Invest Northern Ireland