WE Innovate: Empowering women entrepreneurs
New programme to empower women entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland
WE Innovate is a pre-accelerator programme for women entrepreneurs, delivered by Queen's University Belfast. It provides participants with masterclasses, mentoring, and funding opportunities to develop fledgling business ideas into successful ventures.
How it works
This 5-month programme will run from January to June 2025. In partnership with Imperial College London, the programme will support the development of up to 25 teams through three phases.
Phase 1: Ignite your potential
25 women will take part in eight masterclasses on key topics like customer discovery, personal branding, intellectual property, pitching, leadership, and fundraising.
Phase 2: Accelerate your growth
Top ten participants will join a two-day retreat, followed by six weeks of intensive coaching and mentoring to help them refine their business strategies.
Phase 3: Fund your future
Select participants will then have the chance to compete for a share of the £30,000 prize fund to bring their business ideas to life.
Progression between phases will be determined based on your application and performance during the programme. Phase 2 and Phase 3 teams will be selected by the programme panel.
Who is it for
The programme is open to Queen's University students, researchers, and alumni, with limited spots available for entrepreneurs not associated with Queen's University. The team lead or business owner should identify as a woman or non-binary.
No prior experience in entrepreneurship is needed. The programme is designed to support entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey.
You can submit ideas or projects across any sector or field. The programme focuses on supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialisation, so projects with a clear impact and viability are encouraged.
How to apply
To apply, fill out the expression of interest form. Alternatively, you can contact innovationprogrammes@qub.ac.uk for further information.
Applications close on 11 December 2024.
Find out more about the WE Innovate programme.
First published 6 December 2024