Kildare County Council’s Local Enterprise Office, in association with County Kildare Chamber and Network Ireland Kildare Branch, is proud to launch Kildare’s National Women's Enterprise Day, a pivotal event dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs.

Scheduled for 17th October 2024, this year's theme, "Girls Just Wanna Have Funds!" focuses on equipping women with the knowledge and resources they need to successfully secure funding or investment to start or scale their businesses.

Kildare County Council is inviting female entrepreneurs across Kildare to celebrate National Women’s Enterprise Day in The Moat Theatre from 5:30pm. This talk-show style event will feature industry experts, investors, and successful female entrepreneurs sharing insights and strategies for securing business finance.

The Positive Economist, Susan Hayes will MC and lead challenging conversations with female entrepreneurs who have successfully secured significant investment into their companies. Their stories will tell of the highs and the challenges associated with onboarding investment.

Some of the speakers joining the stage include:

Chupi Sweetman, owner of Chupi. This Irish heirloom jewellery brand raised €3.75 million in new equity and debt investment in 2023 to fuel its ambitious growth plans for Ireland and the UK

Denise McQuaid, Investment Director of Awaken Angels, whose mission is to significantly increase the number of active Irish and Irish connected women angel investors, investing in women founded businesses on the island of Ireland

Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development said: “Despite their growing presence in the business world, female entrepreneurs continue to face significant barriers, particularly in accessing business finance. Research shows that female-owned businesses receive less funding compared to their male counterparts, yet they often deliver higher returns on investment. By addressing this disparity, we can unlock immense economic potential and foster a more inclusive economy.”

Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council explained: “National Women’s Enterprise Day is part of the annual events programme that Local Enterprise Office Kildare deliver specifically to support female entrepreneurs. This support programme is called She Succeeds. She Succeeds is about harnessing diverse perspectives that drive innovation and growth. By providing women with the tools and opportunities to succeed, we can create a more dynamic and resilient business landscape.”

Led and funded by Local Enterprise Office Kildare, Kildare County Council are delighted that this event will be supported in collaboration with County Kildare Chamber and Network Ireland Kildare Branch.

Sinéad Ronan – CEO, County Kildare Chamber said " County Kildare Chamber is happy to support events like this, as they encourage our membership to work together and promote greater female participation in the workplace. By fostering an environment of equality and economic growth within the county, we aim to empower local female entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential and drive prosperity in our community.” 

On behalf of Network Ireland Kildare Branch President Anita Meenehan said: " This collaboration further strengthens the relationship between our two organisations. Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Kildare has been a great supporter and sponsor of Network Ireland Kildare Branch so we appreciate the value our members get from attending LEO events and the supports they provide, the connections members make and the support they receive. We can see it through the growth and development within their businesses.” 

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, a budding business owner, or someone interested in supporting this vital cause, we encourage you to join us for an uplifting evening of inspiration, learning and networking, and with some surprises thrown in!

 BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW!