Calling on Louth women entrepreneurs & small business owners

A new study from Visa has identified increased access to mentorship as the top ask from growing small businesses in Ireland. More than half (52%) of the entrepreneurs surveyed acknowledged the benefits of mentorship despite just one in five (20%) currently having a business mentor. Half of women business owners also stated that they don’t know how to go about securing a mentor.

Back for a fourth consecutive year, Visa has launched its biggest ever She’s Next Grant Programme in Ireland to help close the entrepreneurship gap.

As part of the 2024 programme, applicants have a chance to win several separate grants of business funding. A €10,000 grant will be awarded to four women entrepreneurs and one overall winner will receive €50,000 to help their business thrive.

All five winners will receive mentoring from award-winning entrepreneur and businesswoman, Aimee Connolly, CEO and founder of Sculpted by Aimee and MentorsWork, an initiative of Skillnet Ireland in partnership with the Small Firms Association (SFA). All five winners will also have the opportunity to participate in individual and group pitch preparation sessions, equipping them with the skills and confidence to excel during future funding endeavours.

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Visa commented:“While progress has been made to narrow the gender gap in entrepreneurship, our commitment to addressing existing challenges remains resolute. That’s why we’re excited to bring She’s Next back to Ireland again, continuing our mission to empower women entrepreneurs on their business journeys.”

“At Visa we want to provide women entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. This year, we’ve enhanced the prize package and are providing business mentorship and funding pitch coaching for all five winners. Applications are now open, and we can’t wait to connect with some of the inspiring women-led businesses that are driving innovation and growth across the country.”

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Aimee Connolly who was appointed Visa’s She’s Next judge and mentor, also added: “As a business owner myself, I empathise with the unique barriers and challenges identified by women entrepreneurs in the Visa study. Programmes like She’s Next are invaluable. The mentoring, coaching and funding can really help women business owners to build confidence and knowledge, not just in their brand and business, but in themselves as leaders too.  I welcome the opportunity to help with this initiative, championing women business owners in Ireland to learn, grow and achieve their goals, whether that’s expanding into new markets, innovating products or increasing their digital presence.”

Alison McGrath is the founder of My First Steps, the first dedicated children’s footwear superstore in Ireland. Alison was one of five winners to receive a €10,000 grant and year of business coaching through Visa’s She’s Next Programme in 2023.  Reflecting on how the programme impacted her business, Alison said: “My business had only been going two years when I won Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme, so to have any money that’s not already allocated is massive. For me, winning the grant money was a real catalyst to be able to digitise my business. It’s really broadened our horizons.” [see winners case study below].

Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme, is open to small businesses and organisations in the Republic of Ireland that are majority owned by women, operating across all industries and sectors, through a simple application process. It is designed to be an inclusive programme to appeal to a diverse range of businesses. Applicants in previous years who were not selected as winners are invited to reapply.

To enter, applicants are asked to submit details about their business and online presence at visa.ie/shesnext. The closing date is 30th October 2024. Terms and conditions apply.