Enterprise Ireland has collaborated with European Professional Womens Network and the Cartier Womens Initiative Awards in bringing them to Ireland for the first time.

Monday, 28th January 2013, marked the Dublin launch of the European Professional Women’s Network (EPWN) hosted by Enterprise Ireland and saw 100 professional women from all over Ireland in attendance.  EPWN is an international dynamic fast-growing networking and leadership development platform for women of all sectors and industries. With 3000+ members and more than 90 nationalities, EPWN organizes 450 events a year in 21 cities. With a calendar of events, networking opportunities and programmes designed around mentoring and getting women ‘Board ready’, the EPWN promises a non-stop schedule of news, views and education for 2013 as we learn how to get more women to reach the top of their game internationally.

Julie Sinnamon, Executive Director of Global Business Development with Enterprise Ireland, gave a warm welcome to the assembled businesswomen. Julie addressed the group giving an overview of Enterprise Ireland female entrepreneurship initiatives launched in 2012 which has resulted in an additional 30 female entrepreneurs receiving financial support to develop their new export focused businesses.

Enterprise Ireland female entrepreneurship initiatives will continue in 2013 and focus on the challenges facing women in business and are delighted to be hosting the launch of the EPWN which offers enhanced opportunities through networking for women in businesses focused on export markets. 

In February we saw another boost for female entrepreneurship with the launch of the Cartier Womens Initiative Awards in Ireland. Entitled ‘Recognising Talented Women in Business’ The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards is an international competition created in 2006 by Cartier. The awards are targeted at leading female entrepreneurs, women business leaders, start-up programme directors, and women’s networks, as well as leading policy makers in government and third level institutions.

Speaking at the award ceremony on the 7th of February Jean O’ Sullivan, Manager Female Entrepreneurship commented: ‘The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards are putting the spotlight on Irish women and their tremendous entrepreneurial capability.  The challenge now is not only to get more women to start new businesses, but to encourage more of them to start innovative businesses focused on exports, growth and job creation.’

Jean O’ Sullivan, Manager Female Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland