For ambitious women founders

WeGrow

WeGrow is a six-month Growth programme offering businesses opportunities for learning, strategic insight, and establishing valuable connections. Businesses will join a group of like-minded founders to analyse and reflect on their business potential, while engaging in in-person events, online workshops, peer networking, and expert guidance to support growth across the island. There are 25 places available per WeGrow cohort. The programme will run across six cohorts in total, concluding in 2028.

Who is it for?

The programme is ideal for women entrepreneurs and founders who have:

An interest in expanding their business across the island or growing an existing customer base.
A desire to achieve growth by any of the following: enhancing their team, exploring new export markets, refining branding and marketing strategies, seeking external investment, increasing sales revenue and leadership skills.
A solid business and market but feel there are elements of their business that they could improve and scale, and would benefit from direction, clarity, structure and/or focus.

Businesses must:

Be based in Ireland or Northern Ireland
Have fewer than 250 employees
Have a minimum two years trading history
Have a minimum annual turnover of £78,732/€90,000 and less than £40m (or euro equivalent)
Have a product or service that has potential to gain customers outside their local region
Be led by a woman founder or partner/director in the business
Be beyond start-up stage, and seeking growth and connections across the island
Have a product or service that does not displace existing products or services in the target market
Demonstrate commitment to fully participate in the programme, including attending all workshops and completing any pre-work or preparatory tasks.

What do you get?

Two-day residential at Killeavy Castle, Newry (accommodation included)
Three two-day “Deep Dive” in-person events across the island, focusing on strategy, business learning, and growth, delivered by specialist consultants (accommodation not included)
Three individual growth action planning sessions with a dedicated growth consultant
A champion entrepreneur matched to each participant for guidance and support
Three online champion peer group mastermind sessions in small mixed groups of four participants from Northern Ireland and Ireland, led by champion entrepreneurs through the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women programme
Four online specialist workshops
Access to an online forum and weekly chat for peer support and discussion
Invitation to participate in All-Island alumni events and peer circles.