As the deadline approaches, former She’s Next judge Denise Rankin urges women entrepreneurs to sign up for Visa’s grant programme.
Visa’s She’s Next grant programme aims to narrow the entrepreneurship gap and this year urged Irish women entrepreneurs to “back themselves.”
This year there are five business grants and access to top class mentorship from prominent industry leaders including Aimee Connolly from Sculpted by Aimee; Gráinne Mullins of Grá Chocolates; and Breege O’Donoghue, former board member and senior leader at Primark.
“Women in particular tend to self-sabotage – they tell themselves they’re not ready, that their pitch won’t be good enough, that they’re not the right type of person for something like this … The very fact that you’re considering it means you’re ready to take the next step”
Four winners will receive €10,000 each and one overall winner will secure €50,000. All participants will also gain access to coaching, pitch-preparation sessions and Visa’s growing She’s Next alumni network.
Since its launch in Ireland, She’s Next has provided €215,000 in funding and coaching to 20 women entrepreneurs.
Last year’s overall winner was Claire Fullam, founder of Remi Scalp Care, who received €50,000 in funding alongside one-to-one mentorship with Connolly. Fullam, a clinical trichologist, founded her company after being diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, which caused her to lose 90 per cent of her hair.
The programme is open to women-owned small businesses and organisations operating in the Republic of Ireland and spans three categories: general small business, early stage businesses under three years old, and social enterprises.
Previous applicants who did not win are invited to reapply. Submissions can be made here and the deadline is 11.59pm on April 9 2026.
Do not let self doubt win
Denise Rankin, head of Home Buying Transformation at Bank of Ireland is a former judge from last year’s competition and offered her insights into the competition and why she is urging women entrepreneurs to apply, whether they believe they are ready or not.
She recalls being blown away by Fullam’s entry but also how her business has evolved since taking part in the competition – going from promoting her product organically on Instagram to now being championed by prominent influencers.
“Claire saw a real gap in the market for organic, natural hair products for people with Alopecia Areata. She has gone grom being the sole face promoting her own products to have influencers all over the world selling them for her. She has also been featured alongside K18, whichis a very high profile hair brand. The transformation in just a year has been extraordinary.”
Rankin said that the value of the Visa She’s Next programme is not just about the money, it is about the mentorship but also the experience of entering the programme.
She urges women entrepreneurs to apply, especially if they feel they are not ready or beset by self-doubt or imposter syndrome.
“Just apply. Don’t let the self-doubt win. Women in particular tend to self-sabotage – they tell themselves they’re not ready, that their pitch won’t be good enough, that they’re not the right type of person for something like this. But here’s what I’d say: if you’re thinking about it, you’re ready. The very fact that you’re considering it means you’re ready to take the next step.
“Think of it like an actor auditioning for a role — do you think even the most successful actors get every part they go for? Of course not. Look at Jessie Buckley, look at so many Irish actors who went up for roles, didn’t get them, but kept going, and ended up on a stage winning awards. Knockbacks are part of the journey. In business, in acting, in life.”
Rankin says she feels strongly that the experience of applying, even in terms of the application form alone, is instructive for a budding entrepreneur in helping to crystalise their thoughts and ideas.
“The work you do to prepare your application is not wasted effort – even if you don’t get through this time. Having to structure your thinking, articulate your vision, make the case for your business – that sets a template you can reuse. Whether it’s for crowdfunding, a bank loan, another competition – you’ve done the hard work of crystallising exactly what your business is and where it’s going.
“The format they use actually makes you think strategically about how to bring your business to the next level. That clarity is valuable regardless of the outcome. So apply, especially if you think you’re not ready.”
As a former judge, I asked Rankin what she looked for in an application for She’s Next?
“Three things, really. Is the business scalable? Is the market already crowded? And is it genuinely addressing a customer need? What makes you different? That’s the key question. There were applications where I could see real passion and a great idea, but there were also ones where the proposition was quite muddy.
“If you are very clear on your unique selling point and how it addresses a real gap in the market, don’t hesitate to apply.
“The programme is really designed for people who have something strong but just need that push to the next level.”
Submissions for the 2026 edition of Visa’s She’s Next can be made here and the deadline is 11.59pm on April 9 2026
Top image: Mark Murray, senior product manager Visa Debit Card; Mandy Lamb, Visa head of Europe Added Value Services; Denise Rankin, head of Home Buying Transformation at Bank of Ireland; and Evan Power, Visa account director to Bank of Ireland
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