300+ Young Women Celebrate Entrepreneurship at SistersIN Event

• Over 300 young women on the SistersIN programme came together at City Hall for the Inspiring Entrepreneurs event
• The event was supported by Belfast City Council and Danske Bank
• SistersIN supports female students aged 16–17 across Northern Ireland

Over 300 young women participated in the SistersIN program at City Hall for the Inspiring Entrepreneurs event sponsored by Belfast City Council and Danske Bank.

SistersIN is a program created to inspire, support and develop female students aged 16-17 from across Northern Ireland to steps to developing confidence, leadership skills, as well as skills to contribute towards innovation, economic growth and social development.

The event included guest female speakers who addressed their journeys, challenges and the guidance they would give to future entrepreneurs.

Councillor Ian McLaughlin, Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee at Belfast City Council welcomed all present and spoke about his witnessing an increasingly interest from younger women in developing their own business ideas.

He pointed to the gap still prevalent with men starting their own enterprises, business development and access to investment, while encouraging a younger cohort of women to help create a more balanced entrepreneurial community.

Keynote speaker, Alice Thompson, co-founder of Social Bite, discussed her career journey and the role of business in making a social impact.

She was joined in sharing insights by Ashleigh Averell, Managing Director of iBrand and Women in Business Young Businesswoman of the Year 2024, who elaborated on learning about the importance of support networks within leadership.

Aisling Press, Managing Director of Personal Banking at Danske Bank and board member with SistersIN, said the program brought schools, businesses, and leaders together to support future women leaders.

Aisling went on to say that the event allowed participants to develop skills for leadership that will inform their future work, both in organisations and in their own business work.