Are you a pre-start, startup, or early-stage business looking to expand beyond your local area? Join 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.


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 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.

InterTradeIreland is currently inviting Expressions of Interest for this programme, delivered by Women in Business and Network Ireland. After receiving your Expression of Interest, the delivery partners will contact you with an application form.

Who should apply?

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.

Eligibility Criteria
  • You must be a woman founder or partner or director in the business
  • The programme is ideal for anyone at idea/pre-revenue stage
  • The programme is ideal for anyone who is early-stage trading
  • Early-stage trading suggests that you are not likely to be making an adequate full time salary from the business
  • Early-stage trading may include individuals trading full time < 1 year or part time < 3 years.
  • You must complete an application form for the online Learning programme and this will be scored.
  • Individuals who have already participated in a start-up programme in their local region do not have to participate in the full programme and may just apply to attend the Festival networking and learning events.
  • Additional eligibility criteria may be applied in order to help with selection if high numbers apply.

If you are unsure if the programme is suitable for you or if you have more questions, please contact vicky@womeninbusinessni.com to discuss.
Key dates & activities
  • 9th September: Expressions of Interest open
  • 7th October: Expressions of Interest close
  • 14th October: Applications via Women in Business close
  • October - November: 1:1 Idea Review and Baseline needs assessment
  • December 2024 – April 2025: 12 online learning workshops
  • February 2025-May 2025: 3 Peer group meetings with a Champion and 2-3 peers
  • March – May 2025: 8hrs of 121 Buddy support with a Mentor or Entrepreneur
  • Festival Spark It Events (open to those on main programme and to others 50 places for each event)
    • Saturday 9th November 2024 | Creative Spark, Dundalk
    • February 2025 | Ormeau Labs, Belfast
    • April/May 2025 | Dog Patch Labs, Dublin
Available Places
Full online learning programme: 30 places for women founders or owners from Northern Ireland or Ireland.
 
  • Festival of Ideas | Saturday 9th Nov 2024 at Creative Spark, Dundalk. (50 places)
  • Festival of Action | February 2025 at Ormeau Labs, Belfast. (50 places)
  • Festival of Planning | April/May 2025 at Dogpatch Labs, Dublin. (50 places)

Please note: InterTradeIreland are not part of the selection process, Women in Business and Network Ireland will allocate places based on their criteria.
Programme delivery format

Online Training programme (30 participants)

  • 1:2:1 Business idea review

  • 12 online workshops on business topics delivered by start-up trainers, digital experts and community support partner Ormeau Labs (separate regional sessions on tax and legal compliance)

  • Monthly online champion sessions in small groups of 4-6 people, with a Lead Champion in each group (Growth Entrepreneur) for brainstorming, accountability and motivation

  • 8hrs 121 business mentoring with a start-up business buddy

  • Online forum and weekly chat



Spark It Festival Events (50 places)

3 festival days in accessible locations for all participants to connect and invite other new or recent start-ups who want to gain from the all-Island connections. Each all-Island event will be based on a “Festival day”, with facilitated networking, small group discussions, entrepreneur speakers. Locations are in Dundalk, Belfast and Dublin.

The participants will gain:

  • Knowledge of all the business essentials such as book keeping, sales projections, cashflow, tax (separate sessions for regions), legal compliance, HR and operations.

  • Deep dive and practical coaching on business viability such as idea validation, market research, product development, value proposition, customer experience.

  • Confidence and practical skills in business planning to include marketing, digital marketing, selling skills, strategy and Business.

  • Understanding of opportunities and funding ecosystem including Investment options and government support.

  • Coaching on mindset, stress, motivation,andvalues

  • Practice speaking out and pitching your idea.

  • Advice from experienced entrepreneurs through case study speakers, Champion lead group chats and individual introductions.

  • Connections and collaborations in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

  • Local connectors through the networks of partners.

  • A business action plan

How your business will benefit

  • Develop a business idea
  • Ensure the business idea is viable
  • Gain business skills and knowledge
  • Maximise potential growth
  • Build connections in Northern Ireland and Ireland
  • Increase potential turnover or profitability
  • Build personal confidence, pitching and presentation skills

How you will benefit

  • This programme will provide the business founder with time and space to work on their idea through a mixture of in person all-island events and convenient online learning.
  • An incredible opportunity to build a new network of business founders who are at a similar stage to you and to diversify your network – reaching all sectors and all-island.
  • Insights, knowledge and advice from start-up and specialist facilitators who deliver the online training programme.
  • Ideas, best practice and inspiration from speakers and facilitators at the Festival events.
  • Meetings and connections with a group of peers but also 10+ role models from our Champion Growth entrepreneurs and through Women in Business, Network Ireland, Ormeau Labs and InterTradeIreland networks.
  • Learnings from champions and consultants with 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 likeminded founders and owners that can continue beyond the programme.

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

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