Enterprise Ireland and Network Ireland with The Entrepreneurs Academy Announce ‘Lead and Succeed’ Fuelling Ambition Roadshow for female entrepreneurs in Cork.
Regional Elevator Pitch Competition with prize package worth over €3,000 at each event
‘Lead and Succeed’ is the theme of this year’s roadshow which aims to encourage, support and drive the ambition of female entrepreneurs nationally by showcasing thriving Irish business women and entrepreneurs.
The roadshow will take place in The Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas, Cork on 11th April at 5.30pm
Following the success of last year, the roadshow will once again include an Elevator Pitch competition with a cash prize package sponsored by Facebook worth €2,000 at each location, as well as additional prizes including:
- 10 sessions with Enterprise Ireland Mentors
- Attendance at Enterprise Ireland’s Excel at Export Selling training programme
- Annual membership of Network Ireland
In addition this year, everyone who registers to pitch will have access to the “How to Pitch Your Business” webinar by the Entrepreneurs Academy.”
Launching the roadshow, Sarita Johnston, Female Entrepreneurship Manager, Enterprise Ireland said: “Supporting female entrepreneurs in achieving their global ambition is a key objective for Enterprise Ireland and the Fuelling Ambition Roadshow is an important initiative in reaching out to women regionally to tell them about the supports available and to encourage them to ‘lead and succeed’ in business. More than one in three start-ups supported by Enterprise Ireland last year through our Competitive Start Fund and High Potential Start-Up programmes were female-led – this compares to one in ten start-ups in 2012. We are very encouraged by this upward trend but want to see more women starting their own businesses and successfully scaling existing businesses. We look forward to meeting and connecting with them during this year’s Fuelling Ambition Roadshow.”
President of Network Ireland, Roseann Heavey said ”We are delighted to join forces with Enterprise Ireland for the annual roadshow. Our mission continues to be to drive, support and encourage our members to push themselves outside of their comfort zones constantly. I know there will be many looking forward to the very popular pitch competition at the event, but the fact that we have a masterclass organised as well as vital tips from experienced female entrepreneurs promises to be a very exciting couple of weeks for us all.”
Participants at the roadshow will hear from experts and successful female entrepreneurs who will share their experiences and insights on the road to business success. Representatives from Enterprise Ireland, the LEOs and Network Ireland will be on hand to discuss the wide range of supports available to female entrepreneurs and those thinking of starting their own businesses. The events will also provide an opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs and business people.
The roadshows are free of charge to existing and potential entrepreneurs and business women. To avoid disappointment, booking is strongly advised.
The Leadership Masterclass will be an engaging and interactive exploration of the following leadership themes with a focus on equipping business owners to scale for success:
- Scaling and moving forward from solid ground
- The toughest person to lead well is yourself: why lifting your leadership lid can help you lift your business.
- The power of clear and visible vision and goals
- Building the right team to take you there
- People don’t follow an insecure leader: how to uncover and maximise your own strengths and those within your team.
- Building strong, clear and strategic thinking within yourself and your team. How to maximise what you learn on your business journey so you can take your business further
The aim of the Masterclass is to provoke a deeper understanding of leadership and how the development of leadership skills can support you in scaling your business.
The Masterclass will be 30 minutes in duration and will be delivered by an Entrepreneurs Academy leadership expert.
About our Entrepreneurs/Guest Speakers
Estelle Power, Owner / Director of IDS Irish Door Systems Ltd
Estelle Power is co-director of IDS Irish Door Systems Ltd. IDS is a market leader in Ireland for manufacturing superior door systems, combining innovative solutions and creative technologies achieving ground breaking advances in door production.
Estelle’s career began while living in the Netherlands in the early nineties when she became one of the very few female auction traders at the renowned Dutch Royal Flora Flower Auctions.
Her experience working there evoked a passion for business with a keen interest to broaden the role and representation of women in business.
Estelle moved from a career in flowers to doors, in which she effectively continues working and trading Internationally.
In 2006 Estelle returned to Ireland with the intention of starting a family and a company in Cork. Since then Estelle together with her partner have successfully expanded both family and business.
Colette Quinn, Owner / Managing Director of Real Insights
Colette has over 20 years experience as a market researcher gleaned here and abroad. She leads a team with over 35 years combined experience.
She has worked for the biggest research agency in the world in London and Germany working with global brands managing multi-country quant and qual studies for the likes of Coca Cola, Unilever and Gillette as well as managed big research budgets when she was Head of Consumer Insight at Vodafone Ireland and Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland Ltd.
Colette has a no-nonsense commercially focused attitude to research and how it should be used to drive growth and inform decision making within a business.
She is also an experienced business mentor, mentoring for Enterprise Ireland as well as lecturing at many innovation hubs & start-up programmes around the country.
She always brings passion, energy & lots of positivity to every project & is not afraid to challenge the status quo. She doesn’t sit on the fence and her debriefs are always engaging, thought provoking, decisive and above all action oriented and focused on growth.
Event Schedule
5.30 Arrival Registration, Refreshments, Networking
6.00 Welcome and Introductions from Network Cork
6.15 Elevator Pitch (5 companies, strict 2 minute time limit)
6.45 Masterclass delivered by the Entrepreneurs Academy
7:30 Fireside Chat: Lead to Succeed
- Hosted by Sarita Johnston, Manager HPSU Start at Enterprise Ireland
- Entrepreneur Speaker 1; Estelle Power, Owner / Director of IDS Irish Door Systems Ltd
- Entrepreneur Speaker 2; Colette Quinn, Founder/Managing Director of Real Insights
8.00 Winner Announced
8.10 Photos, Networking
8.30 Close
Criteria for Two Minute Elevator Pitch Competition
Selection for pitching will be based on the following criteria:
1. Assessment of the business, how many employees do you have?
a) Early Stage Business – less than 2 years
b) Established Business – 2-5 years
c) Advanced Business – Over 5 years
2. Why do you deserve to win?
a) Is the business Innovative?
b) What is your business strategy?
c) Do you have a business plan?
3. Ambition/drive/motivation of the promoter.
Rating
1 Falls significantly below the acceptable standard in respect of this criterion.
2 Falls below the acceptable standard in respect of this criterion.
3 Meets the standard in respect of this criterion.
4 Exceeds the acceptable standard in respect of this criterion.
5 Significantly exceeds the acceptable standard in respect of this criterion.
ONLY APPLICATIONS WITH RATING OF ≥ 3 ON EACH OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA PROGRESS TO PITCH, THE TOP 5 SCORING APPLICANTS WILL BE CHOSEN TO PITCH ON THE NIGHT.
The 5 finalists will be notified on the day of the event if they are pitching that evening.
Please Note the Decision of the Judges is Final.
