By Business & Finance 
Deirdre Waldron, president, Network Ireland; Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland; Siobhan Byrne Learat, Adams & Butler; Ciara Carolan, ADN Materials
Ambition roadshows taking place across the country aim to encourage female entrepreneurs to maximise their full potential.
Enterprise Ireland and Network Ireland have joined forces to rollout nationwide roadshows targeting female entrepreneurs. The ‘Fuelling Ambition’ roadshows will encourage female entrepreneurs, or those considering starting their own business, to take a leap, and be bolder and more ambitious in their plans for growth and success. The objective is to encourage and support female entrepreneurs to maximise their full potential on the road to business success.
“A key focus for Enterprise Ireland is helping businesses to start, innovate and scale,” Julie Sinnamon, CEO Enterprise Ireland said at the launch of the roadshows. “In 2011, female-led Enterprises accounted for just 7% of new start-ups. The same was true globally. Enterprise Ireland has put a number of initiatives in place to address the balance, like female-only start-up funds. These initiatives are working,” she added.
According to Sinnamon, participation by female entrepreneurs in Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up programme increased to 22% in 2015. “We are determined to capitalise on this positive trend and as we continue to encourage more female entrepreneurs to start and scale new businesses, we want them to be brave in their business ambitions.”
Deirdre Waldron, president of Network Ireland agreed saying that the aim of the roadshows is to encourage Irish female entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs to be ambitious for their businesses and for themselves as business leaders. “We want women to think bigger and braver and not be afraid of reaching their maximum potential on the road to business success.”
The ‘Fuelling Ambition’ Roadshows will visit Dundalk on Tuesday, May 3rd; Galway on Wednesday, May 4th; Athlone on Tuesday, May 17th; Limerick on Wednesday, June 8th and Cork on Wednesday, July 6th.
Attendees will hear from keynote speakers and successful female entrepreneurs, and in addition, representatives from Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices will be on hand to discuss the range of supports available to female entrepreneurs, and those thinking of starting their own businesses. The events will also provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and business people.
“The objective of the Roadshows is to engage with as many female entrepreneurs as possible,” Sarita Johnston, Female Entrepreneurship manager with Enterprise Ireland commented. “I have seen first-hand how hearing about other people’s success stories encourages more people to take ambitious leaps for their businesses. We have an exciting line up of female entrepreneurs who are willing to share their success stories, and we look forward to meeting as many budding and ambitious entrepreneurs as possible over the next few months.”
The ‘Fuelling Ambition’ Roadshows are free of charge for Network Ireland members and Enterprise Ireland and LEO clients. Full details and booking information are available on the Network Ireland website: www.networkireland.ie, and the Enterprise Ireland website: www.enterprise-ireland.com/ambitiouswomen.
