1. Female Entrepreneurship

2. Is there a Problem/Opportunity ?
• International Studies suggest that Female Entrepreneurs are
lagging significantly behind their male counterparts.
• Ireland reflects the international trend; Early stage entrepreneurial
activity among men is more than twice that of females.
Country Ratio of men to Ratio of men to women
women early stage established owner
entrepreneurs managers
Ireland 2.5:1 2.2:1
Australia 1.5:1 2.1:1
UK 1.8:1 2.0:1
United States 1.4:1 1.7:1
OCED average 1.8:1 2.2:1
EU – 15 average 1.9:1 2.2:1

3. HPSU Female Entrepreneurs
• Within the Enterprise Ireland remit the level of female
participation is significantly lower than male.
Year HPSU Female
Approvals Entrepreneurs
2012 97 8
2011 93 7
2010 80 9 (2 in one company)
2009 73 9 (2 in one company)
2008 71 5
*Female Promoter or Female Co-Founders/Managers at time of investment.

4. Competitive Start Fund
Year Applicants Female Approvals Female
2011/ 2012 724 9% 85 8%
The Competitive Start Fund is an early stage seed fund whereby the promoter
receives €50,000 investment from Enterprise Ireland and is matched by €5,000
investment from the start up company. Prior to the Women In Business Initiative
the female applicants for this fund where less than 10% the awareness campaign
has boosted the applicant number to 30% in 2013. Evidence that awareness and
targetted campaigns for women do work.
*Female Promoter or Female Co-Founders/Managers at time of investment.

5. What Sectors typically apply for and
receive support?
Food 3%
Engineering
5%
Electronics 7% Software 25%
Cleantech 12%
Lifesciences
Internet, Media,
17%
games 31%
HPSUs per year

6. Background of Promoters
Other 5%
Serial Promoter
Indigenous
16%
37%
3rd Level 10%
MNC 32%
Most HPSU Entrepreneurs were managers in Indigenous Companies or
Multinationals. The Women in Business initiative focus’s on all
segments above with a key focus on women in management positions.

7. Challenges facing Female Entrepreneurs
based on International Studies
• Risk Averse – Concern about raising Investment
• Lower ambition
• Lack of knowledge in information technology and
business skills
• Self Confidence in own skills
• Networking
• Few Role Models

8. How is Enterprise Ireland Responding
Enterprise Ireland launched two financial products in 2012
specifically focused on female led early stage start up
companies.
• Competitive Feasibility Fund for Female Entrepreneurs
 120+ applications received good sectoral spread
 20 feasibilty grants awarded
• Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs
 80+ applications received good sectoral spread
 10 equity investments of 50K awarded
• Resulted in an additional 30 females becoming EI clients
and accessing supports.

9. 2013 – A Twelve Month Review
What works?
• Working in tandem with accelerator programmes. Launchpad
@ndrc, propellor @ dcuryanacademy, new frontiers@Enterprise
Ireland and wira@telefonica 02
• Liaising with Networks in the technology area /Technology events
(women have highlighted at all stages their need for a technology
focused support to bridge their lack of academic tech knowledge.
• Participating and creating awareness at female led events
• Awareness campaigns
• Supporting Female Entrepreneur awards
• Further female only financial supports

10. 2013 – A Twelve Month Review
What works?
• Working in tandem with accelerator programmes. Launchpad
@ndrc, propellor @ dcuryanacademy, new frontiers@Enterprise
Ireland and wira@telefonica 02
• Liaising with Networks in the technology area /Technology events
(women have highlighted at all stages their need for a technology
focused support to bridge their lack of academic tech knowledge.
• Participating and creating awareness at female led events
• Awareness campaigns
• Supporting Female Entrepreneur awards
• Further female only financial supports