- Growing numbers of women entrepreneurs are successfully securing investment in Ireland.
- AxisBIC’s recent report highlights significant progress among women founders in the south and mid-west regions.
- Women-led start-ups accounted for over half of participants in AxisBIC’s flagship Entrepreneur Experience event.
- AxisBIC collaborates with various partners to support the NextWave accelerator programme for women founders.
- An upcoming webinar on 10 March will feature women entrepreneurs from diverse regions, including the EU and the Caribbean.
In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, a new report from AxisBIC underscores an encouraging trend in the Irish entrepreneurial landscape: an increasing number of women entrepreneurs are raising the investments needed to expand their businesses. This non-profit organisation, rooted in the south and mid-west of Ireland, is dedicated to supporting innovative start-ups and has released data that sheds light on the expanding role of women in entrepreneurship.
According to AxisBIC’s figures for 2025, 35 percent of High Potential Start-Up approvals in its region were awarded to organisations founded or co-founded by women. Even more striking, 57 percent of Pre-Seed Start Fund approvals went to women-led companies. These numbers illustrate a notable shift in an area traditionally dominated by male entrepreneurs.
The report further reveals that, at AxisBIC’s Entrepreneur Experience flagship event over the last five years, more than half of participating businesses were either founded or co-founded by women, eclipsing the national average of 25 to 30 percent. Collectively, these women-led enterprises have successfully raised a total of €42 million in investment, signifying a robust growth trajectory.
AxisBIC offers comprehensive support to entrepreneurs, assisting with business plan development, investment sourcing, and agreements between stakeholders. The organisation also facilitates access to a diverse network comprising partners, local authorities, universities, and seasoned investors both within Ireland and internationally.
Among the highlighted success stories is Coroflo, a femtech venture founded by Rosanne Longmore, which recently garnered attention for its achievements at CES 2026. Other notable examples include Ground Wellbeing, a health and wellness brand launched by Peigín Crowley, and Chirp, a child protection company by Rena Maycock. These businesses not only reflect the innovative spirit of women entrepreneurs but also contribute to the strong momentum for female-led ventures in Ireland.
Larry O’Donoghue, CEO of AxisBIC, remarked on the organisation’s commitment to fostering women-led start-ups, stating that its “Give to Gain” ethos drives its mission. In collaboration with the four Irish Business Innovation Centres, AxisBIC has also taken significant strides to empower women entrepreneurs through the newly established NextWave accelerator programme. This initiative is specifically designed to help women founders validate, build, and scale their ventures with added confidence.
In line with the celebrations for International Women’s Day, AxisBIC will co-host a webinar titled ‘Forging Collaboration and Sharing Entrepreneurial Success Stories to Balance the Scales’ on March 10. Entrepreneurs from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland, and Slovenia will participate, showcasing a global commitment to supporting women in business. Interested parties can register on the AxisBIC website.
Women entrepreneurs are not just reshaping the venture landscape; they are setting benchmarks for success and innovation. As more initiatives emerge to support female founders, the momentum is likely to continue, where the aim is not only parity in entrepreneurship but a celebration of diverse ideas and approaches that drive progress in the business world.
Interestingly, studies show that diverse teams, including those led by women, often lead to improved financial performance and innovation within companies, highlighting the importance of continued support for women in business. This trend emphasizes the necessity of fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that benefits everyone.
