AwakenHub and AwakenAngels in San Francisco: Connection, Courage and Community
A few weeks ago, a group of inspiring women from across the island of Ireland travelled to San Francisco for a week of learning, connection and opportunity. It was the first visit to the Bay Area for the AwakenHub and AwakenAngels community, marking a powerful step in building global visibility for women founders and investors.
AwakenHub and AwakenAngels founders Mary McKenna MBE, Clare McGee and Denise McQuaid led an outstanding group of community members who embody the innovation and ambition that define the network. The delegation included Sarah-Marie Rust of EVE Mobility, Wendy Slattery of PoweredX Beauty Buddy (Kaidron), Angela Wilson of Silver Apples Digital Ltd., and Sheelagh Brady, Co-Founder of Kowroo.
Hosted by the Consulate General of Ireland, San Francisco, the group had the opportunity to showcase innovative Irish companies and connect with leaders and investors across the region. A special highlight was the warm reception at the residence of Irish Consul General Micheál Smith, organised in collaboration with Invest Northern Ireland – Americas. The event celebrated the first all-island, women-led investment community to visit the Bay Area and marked a milestone moment for women founders and investors from Ireland.
A highlight was the reception hosted by Irish Consul General Micheál Smith and Invest Northern Ireland – Americas, celebrating the first all-island, women-led investment community to visit the Bay Area. The event recognised the impact of AwakenAngels and the women driving it forward across Ireland and beyond.
Throughout the week, the delegation met with Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland, Plug and Play Tech Center, Silicon Valley Executive Network (SVEN), BioVisability, GBx, TechCrunch and the Consulate General of Ireland in San Francisco. Each meeting opened new doors, sparked ideas and strengthened connections for future collaboration.
For many, including Wendy, it was a first visit to the West Coast.
“Heading over, I wasn’t entirely sure if I was ‘tech bro enough’ for Silicon Valley,” she said. “But what I found was something far better. People were open, generous with their time and genuinely invested in helping us connect with the right people.”
Those reflections captured the spirit of the trip: curiosity, collaboration and courage. As Sheelagh Brady of Kowroo shared,
“I was struck again by how willing people are to connect, share and help others succeed. Travel like this may sound glamorous, and sometimes it is, but what makes it truly meaningful is the people and the purpose.”
The energy, generosity and vision experienced in San Francisco made the week unforgettable. It showcased what can happen when brilliant women come together with shared ambition and a global mindset.
The connections made will continue to grow, building bridges between Ireland and the global innovation community. For AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, this is only the beginning.
If you are an AwakenHub founder or AwakenAngels investor interested in joining the next chapter, we are now inviting expressions of interest for our 2026 US Trade Mission.
