Celebrating the 18th cycle of Going for Growth

Pictured at the launch are: (l-r) Lead Entrepreneur Susan Spence, formerly SoftCo and participant Gráinne Mullins, founder and CEO of Grá Chocolates (who has just completed the Continuing the Momentum phase of Going for Growth);

Going for Growth – a programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs who are seeking to increase revenue, create employment, and explore new market opportunities – is accepting applications for its 18th cycle.

The programme to aid female business owners in all sectors is supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG and is free of charge for those selected to participate. More than 1,000 women have completed Going for Growth since it started in 2008.

The application window for Going for Growth is open from October 13 until midnight, November 21. Application forms can be requested from the website – www.GoingforGrowth.com.

Sixty places are available for the new six-month cycle, which is due to begin with a one-day Launch Forum in January. The programme will run from January to June, with one round table discussion each month.

Pictured at the launch are: (l-r) Lead Entrepreneur Susan Spence, formerly SoftCo; Participant Sinead Timoney of Fehily Timoney & Co (who has just completed the 17th cycle of Going for Growth); Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia and Partner at KPMG Olivia Lynch.

The vital support of Lead Entrepreneurs

Round tables are facilitated by successful businesswomen, known as Lead Entrepreneurs, whose participation is completely voluntary and done in a spirit of altruism. Nine of the 11 Lead Entrepreneurs on this year’s programme are former participants in Going for Growth.

They are: Anne Cusack, formerly Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney, Chupi; Hannah Wrixon, Kella and formerly WrkWrk; Jeananne O’Brien, Artizan Food Co.; Leonora O’Brien, formerly Pharmapod; Louella Morton TestReach; Marissa Carter, Cocoa Brown; Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy Group; and Tara Beattie, Prepsheets.com. The other two highly successful Lead Entrepreneurs are: Susan Spence, formerly SoftCo, and Fidelma McGuirk, Payslip.

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.

Between Going for Growth (56) and Starting Strong (28), a total of 83 participants were involved in the 17^th cycle of the programme. Total combined turnover increased from €64m to €81m over the six-month cycle, an increase of €17m. Starting Strong is a sister programme of Going for Growth for businesses who are not as long established and that have exceptional growth potential.

Participants also created 68 new jobs over the cycle (25 full-time and 43 part-time), increasing the total employment figure to 894. Four companies began exporting over the cycle with 51 participants now having exporting experience.

An end-of-cycle survey revealed unanimous support for the programme, with 100% reporting that they would recommend participating in Going for Growth to others, and 100% saying that they would welcome a means of staying in contact with the Going for Growth community. Some 98% said that their participation in Going for Growth brought about a practical change within their business while 95% felt nearer to achieving their ambitions.

KPMG is committed to championing female entrepreneurship in Ireland, especially in the face of the unique challenges of 2025, including economic uncertainty, evolving market demands, and the need for sustainable practices. Through our unwavering support of Going for Growth, this programme plays a crucial role in empowering ambitious women by providing them with essential resources, mentorship, and a robust community.

Olivia Lynch

Partner

KPMG in Ireland

Hear from the participants

The civil engineering industry is traditionally male dominated, and it is easy to be influenced by the majority. Going for Growth provides the platform for female leaders to discuss key operational areas of their businesses in an open and confidential setting to enable all to learn and for companies to thrive. What I loved about the programme was that it took me out of my comfort zone and surrounded me with the most inspirational and confident women. They taught me that as women leaders we are exceptional. We are resilient, we have the skills, and we are not alone and that every day we are breaking boundaries to no longer be the minority.

Sinead Timoney

Fehily Timoney & Co

Going for Growth was such an incredible experience. I connected with women in a similar position to me and we could be open and vulnerable to each other about the struggles of having our own businesses. I learned so much over the few months and having peers that understood and could advise you really helped to keep me on track. I am so thankful for having been chosen for the Going for Growth Programme in the first instance and continuing the participation in Continuing the Momentum on this cycle. It has made all the difference!

Gráinne Mullins

Grá Chocolates

Hear from the organisers

Over the past 17 cycles, this initiative has demonstrated its impact in helping women-led businesses to increase revenue, create employment, and expand into new markets, and I would encourage all eligible entrepreneurs to apply and to engage with the peer support, expert guidance, and leadership offered through this unique programme.

Jenny Melia

CEO

Enterprise Ireland

We proudly celebrate female role models in sports and are equally passionate about fostering women's success in business. With the invaluable guidance from Lead Entrepreneurs, tailored KPMG workshops, and a strong network of peers, participants gain critical insights and the support necessary to navigate these challenges. Together, cultivating a vibrant future for women in entrepreneurship throughout Ireland.

Olivia Lynch

Partner

KPMG

We’re delighted to launch the latest cycle of Going for Growth. Over the years, the programme has delivered fantastic results in terms of revenue, employment, and growth into new markets for more than 1,000 female business owners. The end of cycle survey shows how positively the programme is received by its latest participants and the impact that it has had on them personally and on their businesses.

Paula Fitzsimons

National Director

Going for Growth

Find out more

To find out more about the Going for Growth programme, go to www.goingforgrowth.com.

Get in touch

For further information on the Going for Growth programme, please contact Olivia Lynch of our Private Enterprise team. We'd be delighted to hear from you.