Celebrating Milestones in Women's Investment Leadership Across Ireland
AwakenHub and AwakenAngels Deliver Ground breaking Angel Investor Masterclass and Deal Leader Training Pilot Programmes with Support from InterTradeIreland’s Shared Island Fund
Over the past year, AwakenHub and AwakenAngels have proudly delivered two pioneering initiatives designed to reshape the angel investment landscape across Ireland and Northern Ireland: the Angel Investor Masterclass and the Deal Leader Training Programme. These initiatives, funded by InterTradeIreland through the Shared Island Intitative, were developed in direct response to the Irish Government’s commitment to deepen North-South cooperation through inclusive, cross-border enterprise supports for women.
The results are clear: over 260 women engaged in foundational angel investing education, and a highly targeted cohort of 11 experienced investors were equipped to lead deals with confidence, technical know-how, and peer support. Together, these programmes are strengthening the pipeline of women angel investors who are not just participating, but leading, within the startup funding ecosystem.
Deal Leader Training Programme: Equipping Women to Lead
Delivered by AwakenAngels, the Deal Leader Training Programme was a transformative experience for 11 Irish women angel investors from both jurisdictions. The programme aimed to develop the technical, strategic, and interpersonal skills required to lead investment deals, conduct due diligence, and advocate effectively for early-stage companies.
Structured around five core modules, from due diligence and deal structuring to governance and post-investment engagement, the training blended expert-led sessions, practical case work, and peer-to-peer learning. Participants were immersed in real-world scenarios drawn from the active AwakenAngels portfolio and had the rare opportunity to engage directly with legal and investment professionals.
Participants emerged from the programme with greater clarity, confidence, and capability to lead angel investment rounds. As one participant shared during the final in-person session:
“What stood out was how accessible everything was. I finally understood terms like investing preferences and anti-dilution. This has made a huge difference in my ability to engage meaningfully in deals.”
Beyond the technical training, the programme catalysed new networks and deeper integration between syndicates, with members from HBAN, MedTech, WXNW, and AwakenAngels forming collaborative relationships that extend across the island.
Angel Investor Masterclass: Building Awareness and Confidence
Alongside the Deal Leader Training, AwakenAngels launched a series of Angel Investor Masterclasses. High-impact sessions introducing women to the fundamentals of angel investing. These 90-minute workshops provided an accessible entry point into early-stage investing and were delivered in collaboration with community partners across 15 regional locations and online.
Angel Investor Masterclass with Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association
“A game changer… this was a fantastic introduction to angel investing,” shared one participant.
Another added, “Investment drives innovation. And if we want a more inclusive future, we need more women backing women.”
The reach was impressive: 260 participated in the final sessions. With topics ranging from risk and return to due diligence, valuation, and impact investing, each masterclass offered a rich, supportive environment for learning and dialogue.
The diversity of co-hosting partners, including chambers of commerce, accelerators, universities, and professional networks, ensured broad geographic and sectoral inclusion. Feedback highlighted the value of real-world examples, live founder pitches, and the inclusive, women-centred learning approach.
Driving Long-Term Change Through Strategic Collaboration
These pilot programmes mark a pivotal step forward in growing a more inclusive investment landscape. By creating both entry points and leadership pathways for women, AwakenHub and AwakenAngels are actively dismantling barriers to participation in early-stage finance.
Importantly, this work has only just begun.
The success of these pilots has laid the foundation for future initiatives, including the upcoming Angel Investor Academy launching in September 2025, designed for women ready to deepen their engagement and deploy capital with confidence. AwakenAngels have an open call for women interested in availing of the Angel Investor Training, funded by British Business Bank and InterTradeIreland. Register your interest here
With continued collaboration, cross-border solidarity, and support from initiatives like the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, we are unlocking new economic opportunities and ensuring that women are at the centre of innovation and investment across the island.
Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere thanks to InterTradeIreland and the Shared Island Fund for their vision and support, and to every programme participant, speaker, and partner organisation who contributed their time, energy, and expertise. Together, we are not just building capacity, we are building a movement.
In February 2024, the Irish Government announced €30m of funding towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. The funding for this scheme will support the delivery of new programmes and supports for businesses across the island of Ireland, including in the areas of Women’s Entrepreneurship, Clustering, and Green Enterprise - the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme. The Shared Island Enterprise Scheme marks a new phase in all-island economic collaboration and business growth, and the first time that three of the main economic development agencies have worked together on a shared scheme of this size.
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