InterTradeIreland Launches 3 Programs for Women-Led Businesses

• InterTradeIreland, together with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, has announced a suite of three new programmes to support women-led businesses
• Various initiatives seek to enable women entrepreneurs to grow, innovate, and scale their ventures

InterTradeIreland, together with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, is announcing three new programs that will support the growth, innovation, and scaling of women-led businesses across the island.

Starting early in 2026, the programs will support women entrepreneurs in early-stage ventures right through to established companies looking to scale. Support will include mentorship, tailored guidance, workshops, and networking to drive business development.

The programmes are funded through the Government of Ireland’s Shared Island Enterprise Scheme and include WeBuild is a technology-focused programme delivered by TechFoundHer, focused on innovation, AI learning, and future-ready businesses.

WeGrow a programme for established women-led SMEs seeking to grow. Delivered by Women in Business NI and Network Ireland and WeScale by AwakenHub was specifically designed to support women entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses both strategically and sustainably.

As stated by Assistant Director for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, InterTradeIreland, Michelle Billham, "We have an obligation to support female entrepreneurs, providing them with all of the tools necessary to start productive businesses and working alongside them, to provide additional assistance with their businesses", include business enhancement, access to funding, and developing the skills needed to lead their businesses globally.

Mary Gormley, the Head of Entrepreneurship at Invest Northern Ireland, also discussed how collaboration between organisations is essential for the development of emerging economies.

In her words, "It's very important to collaborate with other organisations" as women entrepreneurs do not only need the finances and resources to succeed, they require support, mentoring and help from other people to help them grow their organisations, and the opportunity to go global.

At Enterprise Ireland, Carol Gibbons has also taken on the commitment to supporting, promoting and creating an environment that allows for "diversity in entrepreneurship" by providing women entrepreneurs access to the services, resources and support needed to successfully build their businesses.