Pictured at the launch of the new Going for Growth cycle are (l-r): past participant Aimee Connolly, founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee; Olivia Lynch, Partner at KPMG; Lead Entrepreneur Fidelma McGuirk, founder and CEO of Payslip; and Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland.
Going for Growth is accepting applications for the 17th cycle of the award-winning business development programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs determined to grow their businesses.
Supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, the programme aids female business owners as they seek to increase revenue, create employment, and export into new markets.
Going for Growth programme
This cycle will mark a major milestone for Going for Growth with the programme set to accept its 1,000th female entrepreneur since its launch in 2008.
Some 60 places are available for the new six-month cycle, which is due to begin with a one-day Launch Forum on January 14, 2025. Female entrepreneurs from any sector who are focused on growth are encouraged to apply. There is no charge for those selected.
The programme brings together female entrepreneurs — past participants include Aimee Connolly of Sculpted by Aimee; Shauna Delaney of Liberty HomeCare and Margaret Rae of Konree Innovation — for monthly peer-to-peer roundtable discussions.
The deadline for applications for the Going for Growth is midnight on Friday, November 15. Application forms can be requested from the website:
The vital support of Lead Entrepreneurs
Those selected for the Going for Growth initiative will join interactive round table sessions facilitated by successful businesswomen, known as Lead Entrepreneurs, whose participation is completely voluntary and is done in a spirit of altruism.
They include Anne Cusack, formerly Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney, Chupi; Hannah Wrixon, WrkWrk; Jeananne O’Brien, Artizan Food Co.; Leonora O’Brien, formerly Pharmapod; Marissa Carter, Carter Beauty; Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy Group; and Tara Beattie, Prepsheets.com. The other three highly successful Lead Entrepreneurs are: Fidelma McGuirk, Payslip; Monica Flood, formerly Olas IT and Susan Spence, formerly SoftCo.
Why does Going for Growth matter?
Going for Growth has been repeatedly recognised by the EU, OECD, and European Institute of Gender Equality as a key initiative in helping to foster greater ambition among female entrepreneurs and to support their growth aspirations.
Some 57 female entrepreneurs who took part in the 16th cycle of Going for Growth reported growing their revenue and number of employees.
A survey of participants from the previous cycle of Going for Growth revealed that 94% said that the programme met their expectations and that they felt nearer to achieving their growth ambitions. All participants reported that they would recommend the programme to others and planned to stay in contact with others from the programme.
Just as we proudly support female role models like Leona Maguire, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Rachel Blackmore in sports, we are equally passionate about helping women excel in business.
Hear from the participants
The programmes have been a super asset to me personally and professionally since 2018. When you go through the stages of business and meet challenges, obstacles and equally successes, it is so lovely to have a roundtable of like-minded businesswomen to discuss these with, gain advice from, and of course learn from your Lead Entrepreneur. I just can’t rate the Lead Entrepreneurs that I had and the programmes highly enough.
Going for Growth gave me so much more than a once-a-month check in. With the help from my Lead Entrepreneur and my fellow entrepreneurs, through engaging discussions and expert-led workshops, I've gained new strategies for managing and growing my business. The collaborative environment has not only inspired me, but also equipped me with practical tools to enhance my business.
You know right from the start that you are in safe hands, in an unwaveringly warm and supportive environment led by women who started their businesses, scaled them successfully and may even have exited them. There’s no substitute for the meeting we do in person, discussions with our peers, and invaluable advice shared. It’s incredibly helpful and a terrific support.
Hear from the organisers
Going for Growth has a proven track record of helping established female entrepreneurs to fulfil their growth ambitions. Feedback from past participants reveals the effectiveness of the programme at increasing revenue, staff numbers, and supporting businesses as they expand into new markets in Ireland and abroad. Going for Growth adds value to the businesses of the programme’s participants, which in turn adds value to the country’s economy. I am delighted that the programme is returning for another six-month cycle, and I would encourage all female entrepreneurs with ambitions to grow their businesses to submit their applications.
Enterprise Ireland is committed to increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs and supporting them at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. We strongly believe that key to Ireland’s economic success is a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem which utilises the skills, ambition, and talent of a diverse population. Our partnership with Going for Growth is an important element in fostering a supportive ecosystem, as this programme provides excellent support to our incredible women entrepreneurs and leaders on their business journey, as they scale and grow and work to achieve their global ambition. With the excellent resources, learning and networking opportunities, we would encourage anyone considering this opportunity to engage and wish the next cycle a fruitful and rewarding experience.
Get in touch
For further information on the Going for Growth programme, please contact Olivia Lynch, partner, KPMG.
Olivia Lynch
Partner
KPMG in Ireland
