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      Pictured at the launch L-R: Olivia Lynch, Partner at KPMG; participate Jenny Johnston, Azure Communications; Carol Gibbons, Enterprise Ireland; Lead Entrepreneur, Oonagh O’Hagan, Meaghers Pharmacy and At One

      Celebrating 18th cycle

      The 18th cycle of Going for Growth, the award-winning programme for ambitious female entrepreneurs focused on scaling their businesses, concluded with a special celebration in Dublin on the 9th of June.

      Going for Growth is designed to help female entrepreneurs realise their growth ambitions by increasing sales, generating additional employment and securing new export opportunities. The programme is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG.

      This year, 46 female entrepreneurs successfully completed the six-month programme. A further 29 female entrepreneurs completed Starting Strong, a programme aimed at ambitious entrepreneurs with more recently established businesses - they will be recognised at a separate celebration.

      Pictured L-R are: Carol Gibbons, Enterprise Ireland, participant Fiona Ryan of Colata in Cork, Olivia Lynch, KPMG and Lead Entrepreneur Tara Beattie, founder and CEO of Prepsheets Pictured L-R are: Carol Gibbons, Enterprise Ireland, participant Fiona Ryan of Colata in Cork, Olivia Lynch, KPMG and Lead Entrepreneur Tara Beattie, founder and CEO of Prepsheets

      The vital support of Lead Entrepreneurs

      Round tables were facilitated by successful businesswomen, known as Lead Entrepreneurs, whose participation is completely voluntary and done in a spirit of altruism. 

      This year’s lead entrepreneurs were Anne Cusack, Fidelma McGuirk, Jeananne O’Brien, Oonagh O’Hagan, Susan Spence and Tara Beattie.

      Why does Going for Growth matter?

      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. 

      Between Going for Growth (46) and Starting Strong (29), a total of 75 participants were involved in the 18th cycle of the programme. 

      At the start of the cycle, Going for Growth participants had a combined turnover of €105 million, employed almost 600 people and half were already exporters. Over the past six months, each participant set ambitious goals and built on these strong foundations.

      An end-of-cycle survey revealed unanimous support for the programme, with 100% reporting that they would recommend participating in Going for Growth to others, and 100% saying that they would welcome a means of staying in contact with the Going for Growth community. Some 98% said that their participation in Going for Growth brought about a practical change within their business while 95% felt nearer to achieving their ambitions. 

      Growing a business can be isolating. You don’t get many communities like this where people genuinely understand the pressure, the pace and the decisions you are making every day.
      Olivia Lynch headshot

      Olivia Lynch

      Partner

      KPMG in Ireland

      Hear from the participants

      The civil engineering industry is traditionally male dominated, and it is easy to be influenced by the majority. Going for Growth provides the platform for female leaders to discuss key operational areas of their businesses in an open and confidential setting to enable all to learn and for companies to thrive. What I loved about the programme was that it took me out of my comfort zone and surrounded me with the most inspirational and confident women. They taught me that as women leaders we are exceptional. We are resilient, we have the skills, and we are not alone and that every day we are breaking boundaries to no longer be the minority.

      Sinead Timoney

      Fehily Timoney & Co

      Going for Growth was such an incredible experience. I connected with women in a similar position to me and we could be open and vulnerable to each other about the struggles of having our own businesses. I learned so much over the few months and having peers that understood and could advise you really helped to keep me on track. I am so thankful for having been chosen for the Going for Growth Programme in the first instance and continuing the participation in Continuing the Momentum on this cycle. It has made all the difference!

      Gráinne Mullins

      Grá Chocolates

      Hear from the organisers

      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.

      Jenny Melia

      CEO

      Enterprise Ireland

      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.

      Olivia Lynch

      Partner

      KPMG

      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.

      Paula Fitzsimons

      National Director

      Going for Growth

      Find out more

      To find out more about the Going for Growth programme, go to www.goingforgrowth.com.

       

      Get in touch

      For further information on the Going for Growth programme, please contact Olivia Lynch of our Private Enterprise team.

      We'd be delighted to hear from you.

      Olivia Lynch
      Olivia Lynch

      Partner, Tax

      KPMG in Ireland

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