SheScales

Empowering women founders across the island to scale with confidence, develop and enhance their strategy, and build their community.

Scaling Support for Women Founders

SheScales was a ground breaking pilot initiative designed to equip women entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to scale their businesses globally. We are delighted to announce WeScale a three-year scaling initiative supporting one cohort of eighteen women founders each year to scale their business strategically and sustainably.

WeScale builds on the sucess of the pilot programme, led by InterTradeIreland in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, funded by the Government of Ireland. WeScale fosters all island collaboration and empowers women to thrive in business. Delivered by AwakenHub in collaboration with the renowned Cranfield University, WeScale bridges leadership, strategy, and growth, ensuring participants are equipped to succeed on the global stage. WeScale 2026 applications closed on Monday 8th December 2025 at 12:00 noon.

WeScale Learn More

Sofie Rooney, COO & CoFounder Chimac

‘I feel like we were at a pivotal point in our business where the opportunity we had to scale. We just moved into a new facility. We were looking for strategic direction for the company, and it was the perfect time to get a little bit more structure by what we wanted to do. The moment for me on the She Scales journey, when I realised that we could actually make it, was hearing the stories of other female entrepreneurs get investment and bring their businesses to a global community. When I started the SheScales journey, I was struggling with our strategy and our structure where we wanted to bring the business. There were so many opportunities, we weren't sure where to go, and now we've got a very clear, concise strategy. We know where we're going. We know what we need to do to achieve the goals that we want to achieve.’

WeScale Fully Funded Support Learn More

Sarah-Marie Rust, Founder & CEO, EVE Mobility a cloud-based platform helping fleet operators transition to electric vehicles in medium and heavy-duty logistics fleets. As EVE's tech quickly gained traction, and as a founder relatively new to Ireland, Sarah-Marie was struggling to connect with the Irish start-up ecosystem. Read how AwakenHub's SheScales programme shifted that sense of isolation for Sarah-Marie by offering "vital support, strategy, shared wisdom, and genuine collaboration."

SheScales is Making An Impact

Learn more about the experience of women business leaders from across the island

Dr. Sian Farrell, CEO & Cofounder, StimOxyGen “Leading from a place of purpose not pressure” From being a scientist struggling with owning her CEO role to becoming a confident leader who is successfully scaling her biotech startup, Dr. Sian Farrell, Founder and CEO of StimOxyGen Ltd, tells of how she has transformed her leadership approach and her business with the help of AwakenHub’s SheScales programme.

Meet SheScales 1.0 founders

World-Class Delivery Team

  • Headshot of Denise McQuaid Co Founder

    Denise McQuaid

    AwakenHub & AwakenAngels

    Denise brings extensive experience from Europe, Asia, and the US, in scaling growth through venture capital, micro funds, and angel investments.

    LinkedIn Page

  • Martin Spiller

    Cranfield University

    Martin brings extensive expertise in business strategy and entrepreneurship, offering practical frameworks for growth.

    LinkedIn Page

  • Professor Stephanie Hussels

    Cranfield University

    A global leader in entrepreneurial resilience and innovation, Stephanie provides actionable insights to help participants thrive in competitive markets.

    LinkedIn Page

What Participants Gain from SheScales

  • "Leading from a place of purpose not pressure"

    Dr Sian Farrell CEO & Cofounder of StimOxyGen

  • "Thanks to SheScales, I'm 100% clear on the strategic direction of the company."

    Julie Connelly CEO and Cofounder of Ai Mapit

  • "I take bolder steps, but they're more grounded. I've grown into my role as a founder and a leader."

    Michelle Connolly CEO & Founder Educational Voice

  • "I've now been pushed out of my comfort zone, but because of that I've found a space of greater clarity, confidence and visibility."

    Gina Oglesby CEO & Founder Back To Work Connect

  • ""I knew I was being seen and supported as a high-growth founder and not just a woman in business. That distinction is important." "

    Sarah-Marie Rust, Founder & CEO, EVE Mobility

  • Unrivalled networking opportunities with Global Leaders

  • Peer-to-peer support and accountability

  • Access opportunities for global growth, including a US Trade Mission in 2025

  • Long term growth roadmap, ongoing support and engagement via a community platform

SheScales was supported by:

A big thank you to our funding partners for their support of SheScales1.0.

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.

A big thank you to our partners who continue to help us deliver all island impact through the AwakenHub community and beyond