The EMPOWER EXPLORE 2020 Webinar
The first EMPOWER webinar took place on the 8th September 2020. It was opened by GMIT President Dr Orla Flynn. Susan Hayes Culleton, MC, led the panel discussion on business scaling with Mary McKenna (Awaken Hub), Lorraine Heskin (Gourmet Food Parlour) and Niamh McKenna (Change X). A panel of influencers were interviewed, Charlene Flanagan (Ella & Jo Cosmetics), Sinead Carroll (Digital Media) and fashion designer Aoife McNamara.
The full recording of the event is available below.
Two short video summaries of the scale discussion and influencer panel are available on the EmpowerHer.ie Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerHer.ie
The EMPOWER 1 Virtual Closing Event
The EMPOWER 1 Virtual Closing Event took place on the 8th September 2020. This invite only evening event was led by MC Susan Hayes Culleton and opened by Daragh Solan, Department of Justice and Equality. Guest speakers included Noeline Blackwell, CEO Dublin Rape Crisis Center and Dr Clare Desbonnet, Network Galway’s Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year 2020 addressed our virtual audience.
The full recording of the event is available below.
What is EMPOWER
The Empower Programme is a Female Entrepreneur Programme targeted at female entrepreneurs from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
This programme plans to address specific challenges that hinder females and will help to fast track female-led businesses.
It commenced in October 2017 with 34 females being selected onto cycle one and 30 being selected onto cycle two in October 2018 and is delivered by the GMIT Innovation Hubs who have a successful
track record in delivering entrepreneurship programmes across the region. The second cycle is currently finishing.
Applications for EMPOWER 2020 are now closed.
Applications for EMPOWER START and EMPOWER GROWTH 2021
will reopen in Spring 2021.
We were awarded new funding in November 2019 to run a new EMPOWER and roll it out to three new counties including Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
EMPOWER
START
Second cycle currently underway
Who is it for?
A group of 20 early stage female-led businesses (at early stage of idea or in business less than 1 year).
When?
Taking place once a week (10am-3pm approx) over 3 months plus networking and mentoring.
Objective
To gain confidence, think creatively, go through the start-up process and develop pitch / business model. Networking will be encouraged and a start-up community will be created.
Examples of Topics:
Problem, Solution, Opportunity, Customer Relationships, Revenue Streams. Areas such as Confidence, Leadership, Communication etc will also be developed during the Programme.
EMPOWER
GROWTH
Second cycle currently underway
Who is it for?
A group of 12-14 female-led businesses(in business over 18 months who clearly understand their value proposition and customer segmentation) looking to scale.
When?
Taking place once a month (half day on Saturday) over 11 months plus networking and mentoring.
Objective
To build a strong network of like-minded female CEOs in the region who are looking to scale and learn from experienced business people.
Examples of Topics:
Sales (online selling, branding, distribution), Risk Management, Investment, Innovation, Strategy, Team Building etc. Topics will be based on need assessments of the group.
