Going for Growth Opens Applications for 18th Cycle of Female Entrepreneurship Programme.
Ireland’s flagship initiative for female entrepreneurs Going for Growth has opened applications for its 18th cycle, offering sixty places on a six-month business development programme beginning in January.
The initiative, supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, is free to participants and aims to help women scale their businesses through peer-led mentoring and structured roundtable discussions.
“Over the years, the programme has delivered fantastic outcomes in terms of revenue, employment, and market expansion for female business owners”
Since its inception in 2008, more than 1,000 women have completed the programme. The most recent cycle saw a €17m increase in combined turnover among participants, with 68 new jobs created and four companies beginning to export.
The results speak for themselves
Paula Fitzsimons, National Director of Going for Growth, said the programme continues to deliver tangible results.
“Over the years, the programme has delivered fantastic outcomes in terms of revenue, employment, and market expansion for female business owners. The end-of-cycle survey shows how positively the programme is received and the impact it has had on participants and their businesses.”
Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting women-led businesses. “Enterprise Ireland is proud to continue our support for Going for Growth, a programme which supports women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and realise their growth ambitions. 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.”
KPMG Partner Olivia Lynch highlighted the importance of the programme in the current economic climate.
“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.”
Lead Entrepreneurs, who facilitate monthly roundtable sessions, include prominent businesswomen such as Chupi Sweetman-Durney of Chupi, Marissa Carter of Cocoa Brown, and Susan Spence, formerly of SoftCo. Nine of the eleven Lead Entrepreneurs in the upcoming cycle are past participants of the programme.
Past participant Sinead Timoney of Fehily Timoney & Co said the programme provided a vital support network. “Going for Growth provides the platform for female leaders to discuss key operational areas of their businesses in an open and confidential setting. It took me out of my comfort zone and surrounded me with the most inspirational and confident women.”
Gráinne Mullins of Grá Chocolates, who completed the Continuing the Momentum programme, added: “I connected with women in a similar position to me and we could be open and vulnerable about the struggles of having our own businesses. It has made all the difference.”
Applications are open until midnight on Friday, November 21. Interested entrepreneurs can apply here
Top image: Lead Entrepreneur Susan Spence, formerly SoftCo; Participant Gráinne Mullins, founder and CEO of Grá Chocolates (who has just completed the Continuing the Momentum phase of Going for Growth); Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia and Partner at KPMG Olivia Lynch. Photo: Shane O’Neill, Coalesce
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