SheGen5: Closing the Chapter, Building What Comes Next
Starting With the Value Proposition
SheGenerate has become a core part of the AwakenHub ecosystem. Designed as an accelerator-lite programme for early-stage women founders across the island of Ireland, it provides structured learning, access to experienced founders and advisors, and a supportive peer community.
Over the past few months, 23 founders showed up with real commitment. They’ve engaged, challenged themselves and each other, and taken practical steps forward in their businesses. What started as early-stage ideas or loose direction is now taking shape in a much more defined way.
A sincere thank you to our partners, allies and Big Sisters who supported this cohort throughout. We were fortunate to have sessions from Monica Parker, Denise McQuaid, Breda Doherty, Clare McGee, Sinead Crowley, Caroline Kilbane, Larissa Feeney, Jacqueline McCann, Jackie O'Donovan and Sinead Crowley. Each brought practical insight, honesty and real-world experience into the room.
We also closed out with a group wrap-up session, alongside one-to-one sessions with AwakenHub co-founder Sinead Crowley, giving founders the space to reflect, sense-check and look ahead.
That mix of shared learning and individual focus is what helps move things forward.
While the formal programme is coming to a close, this is not an end point. It’s a handover into the next phase. For some, that will mean pitching. For others, it’s about building traction, finding customers or continuing to refine their offer.
Progressing to a lean business deck and pitch opportunity
As we come to the end of the formal programming for our SheGen5 cohort, the focus now shifts to what comes next.
Right now, attention turns to their Lean Business Plans and decks. These are being finalised and submitted for consideration to pitch at the SheGenerate and WeScale Showcase at Lusty Beg on 9 June, after we formally close out SheVentures. This is a big moment for all the founders, whether they pitch on 9 June or not. It represents progress, clarity of their business proposition and positioning, confidence and alliship, all of which are integral to setting new founders up for success.
We’re looking forward to seeing what each of them does next! There is no shortage of talent or innovation amongst early stage women founders which is evident from the likes of SheGen 5 participants Sorcha McAnespy and Ruth Dooley.
Sorcha, founder and chief executive of FigTec Ltd, has been named among the finalists in the STEM Professional of the Year category at the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026. The ceremony will take place on May 15 at the RDS in Dublin.
Ruth, cofounder of GeoXen, was listed in April 2026 Business Post 30 Under 30 list as they focus on data analysis for medical researchers, no coding required.
The range of sectors, ideas and ambitions within the cohort is a reminder of the depth of talent emerging across the island. SheGen exists to help that talent move forward with the support of a community that understands the journey and our partners who make it possible.
