AwakenHub x Donegal Women In Business Meet Up

AwakenHub & Donegal Women in Business Network warmly invite you to join us for a coffee morning in Inishowen this April.

​This relaxed, informal event is open to all and completely free to attend.

​☕️ Inishowen Innovation, St. Oran’s Road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal F93 RT73
⌚ 10:00am – 11:30am
🎟️ Tickets: FREE

​What to Expect:

• ​Connect with women founder and women led business communities
  Learn more about both AwakenHub and the Donegal Women in Business Network, and how they can support you and your business journey.

• ​Build Meaningful Connections
  Meet and connect with local businesswomen, founders and professionals.

• ​Expand Your Reach
  Grow your network through valuable, real-world conversations with other entrepreneurs.

• ​A Warm, Relaxed Atmosphere
  Enjoy good coffee, light treats and easy, engaging conversations.

​We’d love to see you there.

Activate AI: From Hype to Hands-On

​Join us for the Activate AI Regional Showcase on March 25th in the Millennium Forum, Derry. A celebration of innovation and collaboration across Northern Ireland’s AI cluster. This event will highlight the achievements and progress of participating companies who are transforming their operations through artificial intelligence.

​Hear directly from NI businesses who are bridging capability gaps, driving productivity, and applying AI in practical, impactful ways. Through facilitated peer-learning sessions, participants will exchange insights, share lessons learned, and discuss their next steps toward sustainable AI adoption.

What to Expect

✔ Real regional case studies
✔ Established firms sharing productivity gains
✔ Startups building with AI from day one
✔ Practical supports you can access immediately
✔ Launch of the ActivateAI Implementation Toolkit
✔ Direct access to local AI solution providers and supports

Who Should Attend?

• Tech based businesses

• Established businesses seeking productivity gains

• SMEs exploring AI adoption

• Founders and scaleups building AI-enabled products

• Policymakers and economic development stakeholders

• Investors and ecosystem leaders

​We’ll also officially launch the Activate AI SME Toolkit, a new resource designed to help organisations continue their AI journey with confidence and clarity.

Here directly from business owners of the benifits of ActivateAI. Use this Link to access the Playlist of videos .

Agenda

​Agenda

​09:00-10:00 Registration and Networking Breakfast

​Open access to Demo Arcade featuring local AI and tech eco-system supports

​10:00 - 10:20 Welcome & Global Economic Opportunity of AI in Northern Ireland with Clare McGee and Russ Shaw CBE Founder, Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates

​10:20 - 10:40 Guest Speaker - Ciaran Ryan, OptikAI

​10:40 - 11:10 AI implementation with AICC. Case study presentations to show implications of AI across the Region

​11:10 - 11:35 Panel 1 - AI in Action: Driving Productivity in Established Firms

​11:35 - 12:00 Panel 2 - Building with AI from Day One

​12:00 - 12:15 The Network Effect of AI Adoption with Kelly Hoey in conversation with Lynette Fay

​12:15 - 12:30 ActivateAI Toolkit Launch Q&A & Next Steps

​12:30 - 13:15 Networking & Demo Arcade

Storytelling To Perfect Your Pitch with Kelly Hoey

Whether you are refining your MVP, raising angel investment, preparing for Series A or pitching to your first or biggest client, your growth depends on one thing: can someone quickly understand what you do and why it matters?

Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream Network and AwakenHub Big Sister extraordinaire, joins us for a practical, interactive session focused on sharpening the story behind your pitch.

This is not about perfecting slides. It is about understanding when to go big with vision and ambition, and when to keep it tight and focused to spark interest and open doors.

Across a 70-minute session, including two working breakouts, you will:

• Refine your story at the right “altitude” for the room you are in
• Test whether your narrative travels clearly when someone else introduces you
• Learn how to build traction through smart, strategic and impactful storytelling

Come with the pitch you're currently using, along with a notebook, an open mind and listening ears and you will leave with two calibrated versions of your pitch and greater confidence about when to use each one.

Practical. Honest. Action-focused. Designed for founders at every stage.

​Curious about joining AwakenClub?

​​Are you a woman founder looking to be part of the first island of Ireland community built by women founders for women founders with a mission to remove the barriers that you experience in achieving investment, scale and success?

​​Got questions? We’ve got answers.

​​Join our FREE online info session with AwakenHub CoFounder Sinead Crowley to explore how we can support your founder journey!

​​All you need to do is register below and come along for a friendly and informal overview with plenty of time to chat through any questions you might have.

​​Open to founders living or connected to the island or Ireland (including diaspora). We are sector agnostic and open to founders at all stages, ages and sectors. You can read a bit more about what we are about

Membership Benefits

• Access to a private community of 300+ women founders and allies, designed specifically for women building and scaling businesses.

• Regular member sessions, community and peer events to connect, share challenges, and learn from others on a similar journey.

• Big Sister mentoring and access to experienced founders who have already built and scaled, so you can shortcut mistakes.

• Targeted workshops, exclusive events, and full event playbacks focused on funding, growth, and investment readiness.​

• Practical support around funding and investment, including visibility with AwakenAngels and ecosystem signposting.​​

• Bi-annual small-group coaching and a structured 5-part journey map from starting up to raising finance, so you always know your next step.​

​​Looking forward to meeting you!

Sales Strategy with Martin Spiller

In February, the AwakenHub community will be joined by Martin Spiller for a highly practical Sales Strategy session designed for ambitious women founders and leaders who want growth that is real, measurable and sustainable.

Drawing on decades of experience as a commercially minded CFO, entrepreneur, investor and board-level advisor, Martin will cut through sales noise and surface what genuinely drives revenue. This will not be a theoretical discussion. The session will focus on the commercial fundamentals that underpin effective sales strategy, how to align sales activity with financial reality, and how to move from well-intentioned ideas to consistent execution and results.

Expect direct insight, and honest challenge, informed by Martin’s unique combination of financial rigour, legal training and hands-on leadership across scaling businesses. Participants will leave with sharper thinking around where sales strategies succeed, where they quietly fail, and what to prioritise next.

This session will act as the gateway to a forthcoming members-only series of Sales Strategy and Growth Deep Dives, where AwakenHub members will have the opportunity to go further into implementation and growth planning, supported by expert guidance and peer learning.

Speaker Bio

Martin is a commercially minded CFO who’s spent the last couple of decades helping businesses stop faffing about and grow. He's sat in the boardroom, rolled up his sleeves and done the work and knows the difference between strategy that works and PowerPoint waffle (although he does love PowerPoint).

Bit of an odd mix being a Chartered Accountant for over 25 years as well as a (non-practising) barrister, what it means is he knows the numbers inside out but also has a bit of substance (and claims he looks good in a wig).

During his “career” he’s also done quite a lot of things (as he likes changing direction and learning, a lot), having been a Corporate Financier, CFO, Entrepreneur, a serial NED, early stage investor (for a fund and himself) and a senior lecturer at a top business school. 

The common thread is simple, he helps ambitious, interesting, entrepreneurial ventures turn good ideas into businesses that actually grow and make money.

If you want sugar-coated advice, look elsewhere. If you want someone who’ll call a spade a shovel and get results, that’s him.

AI Deep Dive Action Lab.

Join the AwakenHub online community for a focused, practical deep dive into Artificial Intelligence, designed to move beyond theory and into real-world application. This interactive session will feature a lead expert speaker sharing clear, actionable guidance on implementing AI within organisations, programmes and workflows.

Participants will then take part in facilitated breakout rooms to explore use cases, challenges and opportunities in a collaborative, peer-led environment. This event marks the entry point to our members-only AI Deep Dive Labs launching in 2026, offering continued hands-on learning and experimentation for those ready to embed AI strategically and responsibly.

Curious about joining AwakenClub?

​​Are you a woman founder looking to be part of the first island of Ireland community built by women founders for women founders with a mission to remove the barriers that you experience in achieving investment, scale and success?

​​Got questions? We’ve got answers.

​​Join our FREE online info session with AwakenHub CoFounder Sinead Crowley to explore how we can support your founder journey!

​​All you need to do is register below and come along for a friendly and informal overview with plenty of time to chat through any questions you might have.

​​Open to founders living or connected to the island or Ireland (including diaspora). We are sector agnostic and open to founders at all stages, ages and sectors. You can read a bit more about what we are about HERE.

​​Looking forward to meeting you!

AwakenHub Dublin Meetup

Join the AwakenHub team on Tuesday 20th January at The Spencer Hotel from 4:30pm to 6:30pm in the Lounge for AwakenHub's Dublin Meet up for networking to kick off 2026 after a cracker day launching SheGen5 and WeScale.

​RSVP to join in on the fun.

SheGenerate 5.0 – Information Session (Lunch & Learn on Zoom)

​Curious about joining Ireland’s only island-wide accelerator-lite designed exclusively for early-stage women founders? Join our SheGen5.0 Information Session to learn how SheGenerate can support you on your startup journey.

​Over 143 women founders from 20+ sectors have already completed the programme—could you be No. 144?

​This online Lunch & Learn session will include:

• ​A full programme overview (workshops, Big Sister Sessions, community support + more)

• ​What to expect from SheGenerate 5.0

• ​Live Q&A with the AwakenHub team

​Bring your questions, your lunch, and your ambition.
Applications are now open—come find out if SheGenerate is right for you!

​https://www.awakenhub.com/shegen

Join the AwakenHub & AwakenAngels Derry team, and members for an informal meet-up and drinks to wrap up the year on 11 December 2025.

We understand that there are a lot of events on, and a lot of demands on funds pre-Christmas so wed like to treat you all to a Christmas Drink, some nibbles and a proper social catch up.

Please also feel free to invite any guests to join us, the more the merrier

​This is open to any woman founder to join, whether an AwakenClub Member or not but please ensure to RSVP in advance so we know to look out for you and we will update you on confirmed location.

We are a friendly lot as you will see from below. ​Looking forward to seeing you there.

Join AwakenHub & AwakenAngels Co-founder Sinead Crowley and Cork County Ambassador Breda O'Regan, Lia Eyecare for an informal meet-up and drinks to wrap up the year on 10 December 2025 in The Kingsley Hotel.

​This is open to any woman founder to join, whether an AwakenClub Member or not but please ensure to RSVP in advance so we know to look out for you and we will update you on confirmed location.

We are a friendly lot as you will see from below. ​Looking forward to seeing you there.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Intellectual Property in the EU

Join our webinar aimed at women entrepreneurs and advisers

AwakenHub is delighted to announce a collaboration with Women TechEU and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) to host an online training and networking event.

This unique opportunity aims to strengthen your knowledge of intellectual property (IP), foster peer learning, and expand your professional network.

The webinar will highlight the importance of intellectual property protection and its role in supporting women-led innovation across Europe and will be organised within the framework of the EUIPO cooperation with the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) established by the European Commission.

This training session will be delivered by EUIPO experts on key IP topics relevant to women entrepreneurs.

09:00-09:15 Welcome address

EUIPO: Executive Director / Deputy Executive Director

09:15-09:40 WHY IS IP IMPORTANT: INTRODUCTION TO IP RIGHTS AND THE VALUE OF IP FOR BUSINESS

09:40-10:10 EUIPO Supporting SMEs and start-ups: EUIPO initiatives to make your business grow and flourish (SME Fund, pro-bono)

10:10- 10:30 Lessons from Women entrepreneurs on navigating IP

10:30-11:00 Open discussion, networking and exchange of views

Hosted by: AwakenHub

Experts leading the session: EUIPO Team & Maria McKeever

EUIPO is the European Union Intellectual Property Office responsible for managing the EU trade marks and the registered European Union designs, and EU geographical indications for craft and industrial products. Established in 1994 and based in Alicante, Spain, it provides protection for intellectual property rights that are valid across all EU Member States. The EUIPO also cooperates with national and international intellectual property offices to promote innovation, creativity, and the effective enforcement of IP rights throughout Europe.

Get financial support with the SME Fund, take advantage of our free intellectual property support, and explore the EUIPO learning resources for Small and Medium Enterprises. https://www.euipo.europa.eu/en/sme-corner

WeScale Information Session

Join InterTradeIreland and AwakenHub for our upcoming webinar on Wednesday 3rd December 7pm to learn more about WeScale – our new all-island scaling initiative designed to support women founders to scale their businesses with confidence, develop and enhance their strategy, and build their community.

During this short online session, you will:

• Discover what the WeScale programme offers and who it’s forHear how the modules, mentoring, and peer network work together to accelerate growthLearn about the key dates, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, and have the opportunity to ask questions before submitting your application

• Whether you’re looking to expand into new markets, preparing for investment, or strengthening your leadership team, this session will help you decide if WeScale is the right next step for your business journey.

Sign up now.

Learn more

*Applications for the WeScale programme close on Monday 8th December at 12pm.

WeScale Information Session

Join InterTradeIreland and AwakenHub for our upcoming webinar on Wednesday 3rd December 10:00am to learn more about WeScale – our new all-island scaling initiative designed to support women founders to scale their businesses with confidence, develop and enhance their strategy, and build their community.

During this short online session, you will:

• Discover what the WeScale programme offers and who it’s forHear how the modules, mentoring, and peer network work together to accelerate growthLearn about the key dates, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, and have the opportunity to ask questions before submitting your application

• Whether you’re looking to expand into new markets, preparing for investment, or strengthening your leadership team, this session will help you decide if WeScale is the right next step for your business journey.

Sign up now.

Learn more

*Applications for the WeScale programme close on Monday 8th December at 12pm.

WeScale Information Session

Join InterTradeIreland and AwakenHub for our upcoming webinar on Friday 28th November at 2pm to learn more about WeScale – our new all-island scaling initiative designed to support women founders to scale their businesses with confidence, develop and enhance their strategy, and build their community.

During this short online session, you will:

• Discover what the WeScale programme offers and who it’s forHear how the modules, mentoring, and peer network work together to accelerate growthLearn about the key dates, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, and have the opportunity to ask questions before submitting your application

• Whether you’re looking to expand into new markets, preparing for investment, or strengthening your leadership team, this session will help you decide if WeScale is the right next step for your business journey.

Sign up now.

Learn more

*Applications for the WeScale programme close on Monday 8th December at 12pm.

AwakenHub and AwakenAngels are gathering in the heart of Glasgow.

​AwakenHub and AwakenAngels is delighted to announce our second meetup in Scotland. We are gathering in the heart of Glasgow. Join us for an informal evening of conversation, networking, and connection with like-minded women founders, investors, and supporters of female entrepreneurship. This is a special opportunity to come together ahead of a day dedicated to growth, learning, and growing community.

​AwakenHub and AwakenAngels co-founder Clare McGee, alongside Breda Doherty, are thrilled to be returning to Scotland for the meet up in Glasgow.

Location: The Buff Club (downstairs bar), 142 Bath Lane, Glasgow G2 4SQ

​Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, or a supporter of women in business, we warmly invite you to join us for an evening of inspiration and connection.

​Breaking Barriers. Backing Women. Building Businesses the AwakenHub and AwakenAngels Impact is available online

​AwakenHub is Ireland's first and only all-island community for women founders. It provides peer support, unrivalled events, access to international trade missions, and programmes such as SheGenerate and SheScales, which have been created specifically to ensure that women can overcome the barriers they face when founding and scaling their businesses at home and internationally.

​ AwakenAngels is Ireland's first all-island, women-led investment community and syndicate. Designed with women at the centre, it supports Irish women founders in raising the capital they need and empowers women to step confidently into the role of investor. Formed in 2023 by the AwakenHub leadership team, its mission is to help women founders across Ireland secure the investment they need to grow their businesses while enabling others to shape their own financial future by providing angel investor education programmes and opportunities to invest in companies led by brilliant Irish women. Through education, community, and collaboration, AwakenAngels supports women in building, backing, growing, and benefitting from successful women-led ventures across the island of Ireland. As a result, with the unwavering support of InterTradeIreland and the British Business Bank, it has established a new and comprehensive funding and angel investor education ecosystem across the island of Ireland that, in only two years, has made an immediate and noticeable impact.

​Further information on AwakenHub and AwakenAngels is available online at www.awakenhub.com and www.awakenangelshq.com

If you have completed an Expression of Interest Form for our Activate AI programme, please join us online on 20 November for a short Information Session to take you through the programme and answer any questions you might have.

Cut off date to apply is 4 November 2025 and only those who have submitted this form on time will be considered for a programme space.

• ​Programme delivery dates

• ​Programme structure

• ​Sessions themes

• ​Q & A - chance to ask any questions you might have.

​Team AwakenHub

This project is part of the Regional Tech Booster programme, funded by the UK Government and supported by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, in partnership with the UK Tech Cluster Group.

Join AwakenHub & AwakenAngels Co-founder Sinead Crowley and Cork County Ambassadors Avril Power, Giyst and Breda O'Regan, Lia Eyecare for an informal meet-up on the morning of 24 September 2025.

​We will meet in the coffee/ lounge area of the Kingsley Hotel at 9.30 and weather permitting head out for a stroll and group chat along the river after coffee, c10.15.

​This is open to any woman founder to join, whether an AwakenClub Member or not but please ensure to RSVP in advance so we know to look out for you.

We are a friendly lot as you will see from below. ​Looking forward to seeing you there.

Curious about joining AwakenClub?

Are you a woman founder looking to be part of the first island of Ireland community built by women founders for women founders with a mission to remove the barriers that you experience in achieving investment, scale and success?

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

Join our FREE online info session with AwakenHub CoFounder Sinead Crowley to explore how we can support your founder journey!

All you need to do is register below and come along for a friendly and informal overview with plenty of time to chat through any questions you might have.

Open to founders living or connected to the island or Ireland (including diaspora). We are sector agnostic and open to founders at all stages, ages and sectors. Ream more HERE.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Dublin & Kildare Meet Up

Join AwakenHub Dublin & Kildare County Ambassadors Marah Curtin, Sandra Healy & Wendy Slattery for a women founders meet-up from 2.30pm on Thursday 18 September in Dublin.

​RSVP required. This is open to any woman founder to join, whether an AwakenClub Member or not. Spaces limited.

​Come along to connect with women founders, share ideas and hear more about being part of the AwakenHub community.

We are a friendly lot. ​Looking forward to seeing you there.

Galway Meet Up

What: Join Galway County Ambassador Yvonne Comer and AwakenHub & AwakenAngels Co-founder Sinéad Crowley at the PorterShed for a chance to connect with fellow women founders.

​With thanks to our friends at the PorterShed for kindly hosting us.

​When: Wednesday, 17 September, 5:15pm – 6:00pm

​Where: PorterShed a Dó, 15 Market Street, Galway City, H91 TCX3

​Afterwards, we’ll be heading straight into the AI Pitch & Pizza Night (6:00 – 9:00pm), so you can carry on the conversations and enjoy an evening of networking.

​👉 Please note: You’ll need to register separately for the AI Pitch & Pizza Night here: AI Mixer: Pizza & Pitches at PorterShed.

​This is open to any woman founder to join, whether an AwakenClub Member or not but please ensure to RSVP in advance so we know to look out for you.

We are a friendly lot. ​Looking forward to seeing you there.

🌟 If you’d like to make a day of it, you’re very welcome to work from the PorterShed beforehand — just let us know in the booking form and we’ll reserve you a desk.

​This event is free to attend, but please RSVP so we know to expect you.

AwakenHub Edinburgh Meetup

Date: Monday, 15 September 2025
Venue: Angel’s Share Hotel & Bar, 7–11 Hope Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4EL

​AwakenHub is delighted to announce our very first meetup in Scotland. We are gathering in the heart of Edinburgh the evening before the Female Founders Growth Summit, hosted by Pathways Forward.

​Join us for an informal evening of conversation, networking, and connection with like-minded women founders, investors, and supporters of female entrepreneurship. This is a special opportunity to come together ahead of a day dedicated to growth, learning, and growing community.

​AwakenHub and AwakenAngels co-founders Mary McKenna and Clare McGee, alongside Breda Doherty, will be attending the Summit and are thrilled to host this inaugural Scottish meetup.

​Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, or a supporter of women in business, we warmly invite you to join us for an evening of inspiration and connection.

​Breaking Barriers. Backing Women. Building Businesses the AwakenHub and AwakenAngels Impact is available online

​AwakenHub is Ireland's first and only all-island community for women founders. It provides peer support, unrivalled events, access to international trade missions, and programmes such as SheGenerate and SheScales, which have been created specifically to ensure that women can overcome the barriers they face when founding and scaling their businesses at home and internationally.

​ AwakenAngels is Ireland's first all-island, women-led investment community and syndicate. Designed with women at the centre, it supports Irish women founders in raising the capital they need and empowers women to step confidently into the role of investor. Formed in 2023 by the AwakenHub leadership team, its mission is to help women founders across Ireland secure the investment they need to grow their businesses while enabling others to shape their own financial future by providing angel investor education programmes and opportunities to invest in companies led by brilliant Irish women. Through education, community, and collaboration, AwakenAngels supports women in building, backing, growing, and benefitting from successful women-led ventures across the island of Ireland. As a result, with the unwavering support of InterTradeIreland and the British Business Bank, it has established a new and comprehensive funding and angel investor education ecosystem across the island of Ireland that, in only two years, has made an immediate and noticeable impact.

​Further information on AwakenHub and AwakenAngels is available online at www.awakenhub.com and www.awakenangelshq.com

Location

The Angels Share Hotel and Bar

7, 11 Hope St, Edinburgh EH2 4EL, UK

SheConnects

Join AwakenHub & AwakenAngels Co-founder Sinead Crowley for an informal 30 minutes to chat through whatever is on your 'founder brain'. Get to meet some other AwakenClub Members and use it as an opportunity to kick start September, set some goals and feel inspired.

Join us for an informal chat and checkin to see how you are all doing and as an opportunity to get to know eachother a bit better.

Come armed with any questions, good news or challenges you want to share.