Last chance for Louth businesswomen to enter €90K grant programme

With just two weeks left to go, the CEO & founder of Sculped by Aimee, Aimee Connolly, is reminding women business owners in Louth to enter Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme before the deadline date of 30th October.

Now in its fourth year in Ireland, the programme will provide a €10,000 grant to four women entrepreneurs and one overall winner will receive €50,000 to help their business thrive.  All five winning applicants will also receive mentoring and business coaching from Aimee Connolly and MentorsWork, an initiative of Skillnet Ireland.

Applications are open until the 30th October 2024 at www.visa.ie/shesnext

A study from Visa of more than 300 small business owners in Ireland found that access to mentorship is their top ask, alongside access to funding and venture capital.

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Visa commented: “While progress has been made to narrow the gender gap in entrepreneurship, our commitment to addressing existing challenges remains resolute. That’s why we’re excited to bring She’s Next back to Ireland again, continuing our mission to empower women entrepreneurs on their business journeys.”

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Aimee Connolly who was appointed Visa’s She’s Next judge and mentor added: “As a business owner, I empathise with the unique barriers and challenges identified by women entrepreneurs in the Visa study. Programmes like She’s Next are invaluable. The mentoring, coaching and funding can really help women business owners to build confidence and knowledge, not just in their brand and business, but in themselves as leaders too. 

"I welcome the opportunity to help with this initiative, championing women business owners in Ireland to learn, grow and achieve their goals, whether that’s expanding into new markets, innovating products or increasing their digital presence.”

Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme is open to small businesses and organisations in the Republic of Ireland that are majority owned by women. With the closing date of 30th October looming, entries can be submitted at www.visa.ie/shesnext. Terms and conditions apply.