Female Kildare entrepreneurs urged to apply to business development programme

Ambitious female entrepreneurs and established business owners from Kildare, who are aiming to increase revenue, create employment, and explore new market opportunities, are being encouraged to submit their applications to the Going for Growth business development programme. 

The call for applications for the 18^th cycle of Going for Growth is now open. The programme to aid female business owners in all sectors is supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG and is free of charge for those selected to participate. 

Application forms can be requested from the website – www.goingforgrowth.com. Completed applications  must be returned by midnight, November 21.

Sixty places are available for the new six-month cycle, which is due to begin with a one-day Launch Forum on January 14. The programme will run from January to June, with one round table session each month. 

Past participants from Kildare include Michelle Lawlor, co-founder of the Nude Wine Company which delivers wine nationwide across Ireland and offers a unique range of Irish-made and produced gifts to complement their award-winning wine selection (www.thenudewineco.ie).  Michelle’s extensive background includes roles as an educator in Ireland, sommelier in the UK, wine trader in Hong Kong, and cellar-hand in Italy and New Zealand. 

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Michelle, who was a participant on Starting Strong, which is part of Going for Growth but for earlier stage businesses, in 2021 and completed the 16^th cycle of Going for Growth says: “If someone ever suggests to you that you apply for Going for Growth, do it! It has the power to transform you and your business! Our Lead Entrepreneur provided guidance and expertise which has been invaluable. Her understanding of the business requirements, strategy and politics, combined with her insights, has empowered me to take my business to new heights. The Going for Growth programme provided clear, actionable steps that have made a tangible difference in our growth trajectory. The network and support system fostered here is the best thing about it. Having a group of peers, who happen to be women, within the programme is unparalleled, offering continuous motivation and encouragement. I wholeheartedly recommend Going for Growth to any entrepreneur looking to take their business to the next level.”

Fused by Fiona Uyema is an award winning premium Asian food company with a range of retail products stocked in major retailers across Ireland and further afield (www.fusedbyfionauyema.com). Fiona completed the 16^th cycle of Going for Growth.

She says: “The Going for Growth programme gave me access to a unique network of female entrepreneurs in different industries with incredible experience and insights. The programme has helped me drive my business to the next level and overcome challenges along the way. And the bonus is   I’ve forged trusted relationships and friendships that are so supportive and fantastic sounding boards.”

Going for Growth brings together female entrepreneurs for monthly peer-to-peer roundtable discussions, facilitated by successful businesswomen, known as Lead Entrepreneurs, whose participation is completely voluntary and is done in a spirit of altruism. NINE of the 11 Lead Entrepreneurs on this year’s programme are former participants in Going for Growth.

They are: Anne Cusack, formerly Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney, Chupi; Hannah Wrixon, Kella and formerly WrkWrk; Jeananne O’Brien, Artizan Food Co.; Leonora O’Brien, formerly Pharmapod; Louella Morton TestReach; Marissa Carter, Cocoa Brown; Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy Group; and Tara Beattie, Prepsheets.com. The other two highly successful Lead Entrepreneurs are: Susan Spence, formerly SoftCo, and Fidelma McGuirk, Payslip.

Going for Growth has been repeatedly recognised by the EU, OECD, and European Institute of Gender Equality as a key initiative in helping to foster greater ambition among female entrepreneurs and to support their growth aspirations. 

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said:

“Enterprise Ireland is committed to increasing opportunities for women entrepreneurs and supporting them at every stage of their business journey.  This includes working with colleagues and partners from across the ecosystem, to ensure we foster the skills, ambition and talent, and ensure that Ireland is a great location to start and scale a business.  That is why Enterprise Ireland is proud to continue our support for Going for Growth, a programme which supports women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses and realise their growth ambitions. 

"Over the past 17 cycles, this initiative has demonstrated its impact in helping women-led businesses to increase revenue, create employment, and expand into new markets, and I would encourage all eligible entrepreneurs to apply and to engage with the peer support, expert guidance, and leadership offered through this unique programme.”

Partner at KPMG, Olivia Lynch, said: 

“KPMG is committed to championing female entrepreneurship in Ireland, especially in the face of the unique challenges of 2025, including economic uncertainty, evolving market demands, and the need for sustainable practices. Through our unwavering support of Going for Growth, this programme plays a crucial role in empowering ambitious women by providing them with essential resources, mentorship, and a robust community.”

“We proudly celebrate female role models in sports and are equally passionate about fostering women's success in business. With the invaluable guidance from Lead Entrepreneurs, tailored KPMG workshops, and a strong network of peers, participants gain critical insights and the support necessary to navigate these challenges. Together, cultivating a vibrant future for women in entrepreneurship throughout Ireland.”

National Director of Going for Growth, Paula Fitzsimons, said: 

“We’re delighted to launch the latest cycle of Going for Growth. Over the years, the programme has delivered fantastic results in terms of revenue, employment, and growth into new markets for more than 1,000 female business owners. The end of cycle survey shows how positively the programme is received by its latest participants and the impact that it has had on them personally and on their businesses. I would encourage all ambitious female entrepreneurs and owner/managers looking to increase revenue, create employment, and explore new market opportunities to submit their applications for the 18^th cycle of Going for Growth before the deadline of Friday, November 21.”

Log onto www.goingforgrowth.com for more details and to request an application form.