Female entrepreneurs from Mayo sought for Going for Growth programme
The call is now open for ambitious female entrepreneurs from Mayo who are looking to take their business to the next level and would like to participate in the latest cycle of Going for Growth, the award-winning business development programme.
Going for Growth is a six-month part-time programme, supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG, which assists ambitious female entrepreneurs to achieve their growth aspirations. There is no charge to those selected to participate.
This is the 13th year of Going for Growth and more than 750 female entrepreneurs have so far taken part in the programme.
A total of 88% of participants on the last cycle of Going for Growth reported that they pivoted their businesses to adapt to challenges raised by Covid-19.
The figures, which were gathered in their end of cycle survey, show the resilience and determination of the entrepreneurs on the programme – and the value of the peer support they received while participating.
The survey also found that eight participants from the programme started exporting for the first time – which is quite a feat during a global pandemic.
Going for Growth participants found that the roundtable sessions translated into practical changes in their business. All participants said they would recommend the programme to others.
Past participants from Mayo include Emer Flannery of Kocoono, which makes weighted blankets, unique in design and function, designed to reduce stress, anxiety and support with quality sleep. Emer took part in Going for Growth’s sister programme, Starting Strong, and encourages anyone interested in developing their business to apply for the programme.
She said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time participating in Starting Strong, which is part of the Going for Growth programme, and have received immense support for my own business www.kocoono.com during this difficult time. I have made friends for life thorough this programme. It was an honour to be part of this group.”
The programme is seeking applications from female entrepreneurs – across all sectors – who are strongly focussed on growth. Ideally, businesses should be well established and trading for at least two years. Applications will also be considered from highly innovative entrepreneurs with significant growth expectations at an earlier stage of their development if they have already generated some sales.
Sixty places will be available for the 13th cycle of Going for Growth, which will run from January to June 2021. The deadline for applications is Friday, December 18. There is no charge for those selected. Anyone interested is encouraged to register on the website goingforgrowth.com and a link to the application form will be sent to them.
Those selected for the initiative join interactive round table sessions led by lead entrepreneurs – successful business women with personal experience of growing a business. These high-profile business leaders volunteer their time to encourage participants to set and achieve personalised goals and milestones to address the opportunities and challenges they face in driving growth in their businesses.
Some of this year’s lead entrepreneurs include four previous Going for Growth participants: Dr. Anne Cusack, Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney, Chupi; Gillian O’Dowd, Azon Recruitment Group; and Oonagh O’Hagan, Meagher’s Pharmacy Group.
The other lead entrepreneurs are: Fidelma McGuirk, Payslip; Fiona O’Carroll, experienced intrapreneur and non-executive director; Monica Flood, formerly Olas IT; and Susan Spence, SoftCo.
Áine Denn, co-founder and formerly of Altify, and Breege O’Donoghue, formally of Primark, will lead Continuing the Momentum round tables. This is a further development programme for former participants of Going for Growth.