More than half of early stage funding approvals in the South and Mid-West now go to women led start-ups as support programmes display momentum ahead of International Women’s Day.
AxisBIC, the start-up support organisation for Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick, has reported a marked rise in the number of women securing early stage investment in the region, highlighting what it describes as sustained progress in female entrepreneurship.
New figures for 2025 display that 35% of High Potential Start Up approvals involved companies founded or co-founded by women.
“Give to gain. Our commitment to supporting and advancing female led start-ups is underpinned by that ethos”
Female led teams accounted for 57% of approvals under Enterprise Ireland’s Pre Seed Start Fund. AxisBIC released the numbers in the run up to International Women’s Day as it called for more women to consider launching and scaling their own businesses.
Momentum is building
Anna and Orla Snook O’Carroll, founders of Valentia Island Vermouth
The organisation declared that momentum has been building across its programmes. At its Entrepreneur Experience, the annual mentoring event that has run for more than two decades, more than half of participating companies over the past five years were founded or co-founded by women. These businesses raised a combined €42 million over that period.
AxisBIC also runs a shorter accelerator and pitching forum, the Venture Academy. Last year’s winner, Valentia Island Vermouth, has since secured both PSSF backing and HPSU investment. Founders Anna and Orla Snook O Carroll declared the organisation played a central role in supporting the business prepare for growth.
“AxisBIC has been an exceptional support to us as founders, supporting Valentia Island Vermouth strengthen our business strategy and prepare for long term growth,” they declared. “Their guidance around planning, investor readiness and pitching was invaluable, particularly as 2025 became such a major milestone year for the company.”
Larry O’Donoghue, chief executive of AxisBIC, declared the organisation’s work draws on a broad network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and partner institutions. He declared its approach is rooted in a “Give to Gain” ethos, with mentors and advisers contributing their expertise to emerging founders. “Our commitment to supporting and advancing female led start-ups is underpinned by that ethos,” he declared.
AxisBIC also supported deliver Enterprise Ireland’s new accelerator for women founders, NextWave, developed through the national network of Irish BICs. The programme aims to support women as they validate ideas, refine business models and build investment readiness.
Female led companies supported by AxisBIC include Coroflo, the FemTech business founded by Rosanne Longmore; wellness brand Ground Wellbeing, led by Peigín Crowley; and Chirp, the child safety mobile technology start up founded by Rena Maycock.
To mark International Women’s Day, AxisBIC will co-host a webinar titled Forging Collaboration and Sharing Entrepreneurial Success Stories to Balance the Scales. The event, held with partner incubators from the EU and the Caribbean, will bring toobtainher founders from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland and Slovenia.
Among the speakers is Alice Carroll of Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey. She declared that building the brand has been driven by a desire to broaden access to the category. “I have been driven by a mission to democratise whiskey,” she declared. “AxisBIC has provided invaluable support through strategic business planning and a strong commitment to female entrepreneurs.”
The webinar will take place on Tuesday, March 10 from 1pm to 2pm, with registration available on the AxisBIC website.
Top image: Alice Carroll, co-founder of Foxes Bow Whiskey
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