'Yes You Can' Entrepreneur Programme Launched With £20k Competition

A three-year start-up and growth programme for women in business has launched with a Pitching Competition that put £20,000 of financial support up for grabs.

'Yes You Can' was introduced at the third annual Female Entrepreneur Conference last week at the Galgorm Resort and Spa, which brought together entrepreneurial speakers for masterclasses and workshops. It is a collaboration between Women in Business, Invest Northern Ireland and the region's 11 local councils.

Six regional finalists from across Northern Ireland were selected from over 258 entrants for their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. At the event, the regional winners- Sweet Robyn's, Beechfield Flower Farm, Stables Flower Co., Ke Nako Biltong, Esther Women Ltd. and McAnallen Ltd- were announced and awarded with £3,000 before they took to the stage to pitch their business ideas to conference attendees. 

Votes from the delegates later crowned Sarah McAnallen the overall winner and she was awarded an additional £2,000 to support the development of her business which offers independence for many who have suffered from an illness with an innovative product, Ezi-Sock, that allows individuals to put on socks in a seating position without needing to bend down. 

Lesley O'Hanlon, Head of Programmes at Women in Business commented: "We are delighted to have launched the three year 'Yes You Can' programme at the Female Entrepreneur Conference. All of our Pitching Competition regional winners were worthy recipients and their pitches reflected the entrepreneurial spirit that is synonymous with Northern Ireland. I would like to congratulate Sarah McAnallen- her pitch was truly refreshing, and I am excited to see her business thrive over the coming years.   

"The programme is an exciting opportunity for female entrepreneurs from all sectors and at all stages of their careers to benefit from support, mentoring and advice. There is a range of initiatives taking place including mentoring, bootcamps, residentials and networking opportunities. We were delighted with the interest the Pitching Competition generated and it is a great way to kick off the three year programme."

Des Gartland, Acting Executive Director for Regional Business at Invest NI added: "Yes You Can provides an opportunity for Invest NI, WIB and all 11 Councils to work together, to offer a range of initiatives that will positively impact on female enterprise throughout Northern Ireland. This is the first Northern Ireland wide programme to promote and develop female enterprise and Invest NI is delighted to be involved with this exciting new initiative."

Over the three years of the 'Yes You Can' initiative, female entrepreneurs from across Northern Ireland will benefit from a range of motivational and supportive events and programmes including:

• Imagine It- a bootcamp for women at the pre-start stage who have a business idea or who wish to explore career options.

• Explore It- an initiative which targets women who have not started trading

• Sell It- a residential to inspire women already trading and

• Local Female Networks- where those attending will be motivated by keynote speakers and will benefit from facilitated networking with like-minded women.



(JG/CM)