Mayo women entrepreneurs encouraged to apply for national business grant

Women entrepreneurs and small business owners in Mayo are being encouraged to “back themselves” and apply for a share of €90,000 in funding under a national grant programme launched this week.

The 2026 She’s Next Grant Programme, powered by Visa, will award funding and mentorship to five women-owned businesses across Ireland, with applications now open.

The initiative aims to help close the entrepreneurship gap by providing financial support, coaching and access to business expertise for women founders seeking to grow their enterprises.

For the first time, the programme will also include mentorship from three prominent Irish business leaders: Aimee Connolly, founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee; Breege O’Donoghue, former board member of Primark; and Gráinne Mullins, founder of Grá Chocolates. The trio will also serve as judges for this year’s competition.

The programme will see one overall winner receive €50,000, while four additional businesses will each receive €10,000. All winners will also benefit from mentoring, pitch preparation sessions and access to the She’s Next alumni support network.

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Speaking at the launch, Ines Obtinalla, Head of Marketing for Ireland at Visa, said the programme aims to address barriers that women entrepreneurs often face.

“While progress has been made, women entrepreneurs in Ireland are still facing barriers to funding and mentorship,” she said. “Visa backs small businesses with big ambitions, and this programme will deliver the resources and expertise to power our five winners’ next steps.”

Mentors involved in the programme emphasised the importance of confidence and support networks for women in business.

Aimee Connolly said self-belief can often be the biggest hurdle. “Even the most successful businesspeople can suffer from imposter syndrome, but this is often predicated on feelings, not fact,” she said. “Recognise your capabilities and back yourself.”

Breege O’Donoghue advised entrepreneurs to seek guidance early in their journey. “Mentorship is a growth and confidence accelerator, the value of which cannot be underestimated,” she said, encouraging founders to build strong networks both within and beyond their industries.

Meanwhile, Gráinne Mullins said many women delay opportunities while waiting for the “perfect” moment. “Perfection is the enemy of progress,” she said. “Taking the next step could be the difference between opportunity realised and opportunity missed.”

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The grant programme is open to the majority of women-owned businesses across all sectors. Applications are accepted in three categories: general small businesses, early-stage businesses operating for less than three years, and social enterprises.

The closing date for applications is April 9 at 11.59 pm.

Since its launch, the She’s Next programme has awarded €215,000 in funding and coaching to 20 women entrepreneurs in Ireland, supporting businesses to scale and expand into new markets.