DFE: InterTradeIreland: All Island Women’s Entrepreneurship

• Value: £905K

The W.I.R.ED initiative falls under the Women’s Entrepreneurship priority and aims to support the commercialisation of research conducted by female university researchers. It will provide a structured package of support to Principal Investigators (PI) and Researchers at Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral levels, enabling them to undertake market validation activities and advance towards commercial viability. It is anticipated that the programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total budget of £905,000 (excluding VAT). The delivery model is designed to ensure a clear pathway from ideation to commercialisation funding, leveraging existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and academic institutions and research organisations across the island.

• Value: £800K

Shared Growth is an all-island initiative designed to support women-led businesses in achieving sustainable growth and with ambition to trade cross-border. Delivered by InterTradeIreland (ITI) under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, this programme will provide structured training, mentorship, and strategic support to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, increase their market presence, and enhance their leadership capabilities. It is anticipated that this programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £800,470 (excluding VAT). The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.

• Value: £421K

Scale Together is an all-island initiative designed to support women-led businesses in achieving sustainable growth and international expansion. Delivered by InterTradeIreland (ITI) under the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, this programme will provide structured training, mentorship, and strategic support to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses, increase their market presence, and enhance their leadership capabilities. It is anticipated that this programme will run for to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £421,300 (excluding VAT). The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.

• Value: £800K

The Future Focused Tech Programme is an all-island initiative designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the mentorship, digital skills, confidence, networks, and funding access needed to lead and innovate in tech-enabled businesses. It is anticipated that this programme will run to 31 December 2028 with a total maximum budget of the sterling equivalent of £800,470 (excluding VAT) The delivery model will ensure tailored support for businesses, providing structured learning, peer networking, and expert mentorship. These programmes will also leverage existing support structures from InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, and other key stakeholders to maximise impact and sustainability.