Setting Out The Challenge• Fewer women start new businesses than do men

• Latent entrepreneurial potential of women recognised

• Focus on encouraging more women to start businesses

• This addresses only part of the challenge!

Setting Out The Challenge• Of those women that start, fewer grow their

businesses

• Means needed to encourage and support more women to develop and grow their businesses

• Open call for proposals for the development of a growth acceleration initiative for women entrepreneurs by Gender Equality Unit of Department of Justice and Equality

What is Going for Growth? Unique support for women growing their businesses

Selected participants, at same stage of development, are placed at one of eight round tables

Each group is facilitated and led by an experienced woman Lead Entrepreneur, who gives time on a voluntary basis

Development fostered through agenda led discussion

Firm base of research underpinning the initiative

Reflects national policy and enterprise priorities

Included in the 2009 Good Practice initiatives by the European Commission and voted into the Top 10 most beneficial to implement of those initiatives.

Represented Ireland in European Enterprise Awards 2011

High level of support by Enterprise Ireland

Strong Credentials

Effects of Going for Growth

Reduces sense of isolation

Applies “good” peer pressure

Participants become highly motivated and confidence

increases

Learn from each other as well as from the Lead

Move towards achieving stated goals

Set ambitions even higher

4th Cycle of Going for Growth

59 participants completed the 4th cycle 100% considered the experience positive

97% made a decision for their businesses

92% considered that the sessions translated into practical change within their business

98% felt nearer to achieving their growth goals at the end of the cycle

Tangible Outcomes -

Sales Combined turnover at start of cycle - €46m

Increases made by the participants in six month periodAt least 32 of the participants’ businesses

experienced a growth in sales

Median growth of these was 24.5%

Tangible Outcomes -Employment

In six month period, the 59 participants

Strengthened at least 450 existing jobs

47% (28) took on new staff

An additional 50 (+11%) individuals were employed

Tangible Outcomes – New Exporters

In the six month period the number of exporters increased by 33% from 18 to 24 (7 new exporters- one previous exporter did not export during the 6 months of the cycle)

In all respects the tangible outcomes were a further improvement on the 3rd cycle, despite continuing difficult trading conditions

Going for Growth

4 cycles already successfully completed and 5th cycle underway

Over 240 past participants

Testimonials on site attest to the benefits the participants derived from their involvement

Past participants and Leads are best ambassadors