Celebrating Our SheScales & SheGenerate Graduates

What a moment. Our hearts are still full from the energy, pride, and celebration at our recent graduation event, hosted at Ulster Bank’s stunning Belfast HQ. It marked not just a single achievement but a huge milestone in AwakenHub’s journey to support and elevate women founders across the island of Ireland.

We celebrated the very first cohort of SheScales – our new, high-impact programme designed for women founders ready to take their businesses global. And alongside them, we honoured the fourth cohort of our beloved SheGenerate – the community accelerator-lite that has already supported 143 women and counting.

Together, 39 incredible founders walked across the graduation stage – each of them building ambitious businesses, breaking barriers, and showing the kind of leadership we need more of.

🎥 What a day!
Watch the highlights and hear from Clare McGee herself on what made the day so powerful:
👉 Watch the video on LinkedIn

“It was fantastic today, especially on a Saturday, to see a room full of ambitious women there to support each other. It was quite inspirational… seeing SheGenerators looking across the room at those who were once where they were, now on SheScales, learning from each other and knowing that it is a journey—and the journey isn't linear.

Starting, building, growing, scaling—AwakenHub is there as part of that, all along the way. That’s our secret sauce: a community that is here to help you.”
— Clare McGee, CEO & Cofounder, AwakenHub

From SheGen to SheScale

SheScales was launched as a bold next step for our AwakenHub community – an evolution of SheGenerate, specifically for those ready to scale. SheScales is proudly supported by InterTradeIreland through the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme. In February 2024, the Irish Government announced €30m of funding for the establishment of this pioneering scheme, delivered by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland. It marks a new phase of all-island economic collaboration and the first time these three agencies have joined forces at this scale to support business growth—including a dedicated focus on Women’s Entrepreneurship.

AwakenHub powered by Cranfield University’s School of Management, co-created a unique programme rooted in real founder needs: global ambition, access to practical tools, peer networks, and tailored mentorship.

Our first SheScales graduates?

Sixteen phenomenal founders from all corners of the island, now equipped with everything from growth roadmaps and investor readiness, to international market strategies – plus the unwavering support of our AwakenHub network behind them.

💬 Real Talk from a Real Founder
Angela Wilson of Silver Apples Digital Ltd. shares her reflections on the SheScales1.0 journey, including her top 3 takeaways:
👉 Watch Angela’s story here

“SheScales gave me the confidence, clarity, and connections I needed to step into my next chapter. It’s not just a programme—it’s a turning point.”

Big Sisterhood Energy

Our fourth SheGenerate cohort were also celebrated at the event – 23 inspiring early-stage founders who’ve now joined the 100+ strong community of SheGenerate alum. From value proposition to finance fundamentals, they’ve navigated the early stages of entrepreneurship with guts and grace. Supported by AIB and the British Business Bank, this programme continues to be a powerful launchpad.

We see every day how this isn’t just about business – it’s about belonging. Our founders consistently say the most transformational part of the AwakenHub experience is the people – the fierce, generous, “I’ve-got-you” energy of women cheering each other on.

To our brilliant graduates: we see you, we celebrate you, and we can’t wait to see what you do next. Thank you for being part of this journey—and for inspiring the next wave of women founders.

Ready to Join Us?

If you’re a woman founder on this island, the path is open—and the time is now.

Interested in scaling your business globally?
Apply for the next cohort of SheScales here:
👉 Submit your Expression of Interest

At the earlier stages of your founder journey?
Apply for SheGenerate here:
👉 Submit your Expression of Interest

We don’t just talk about support—we live it. Through every stage of the journey—start, build, grow, scale—AwakenHub is here for you.