Dell to bring global Women Funding Women tour to Dublin

24 Jan 2019

Audience members at a recent DWEN event. Image: Dell

Access to capital remains the main barrier for women entrepreneurs.

Tech giant Dell will be bringing its Women Funding Women global tour to Dublin on 6 February to shine a light on investments made in women-led companies.

The event, which is a key part of Dell Women’s Entrepreneurship Network (DWEN), will bring together more than 100 investors, innovators and influencers in Dublin to create new connections that can increase the representation of female business leaders and entrepreneurs within Ireland’s ecosystem.

‘Despite women’s entrepreneurship rates rising globally by 13pc in recent years, access to capital and technology continue to limit the success of our female entrepreneurs in Ireland’
– INGRID DEVIN

Last year Dublin ranked 34th out of a total of 50 cities on the annual Dell Women Entrepreneur Cities Index, with access to capital noted as one of the main barriers to fostering the growth of women-led businesses.

Empowering next generation of women entrepreneurs

Delivered in partnership with Springboard Enterprises, the Women Funding Women event will feature Anita Finnegan, the founder of Dundalk-headquartered cybersecurity start-up Nova Leah; and a leading investor behind the company’s recent €2.25m funding round, Jayne Brady, who is a partner at Kernel Capital.

‘Women share a unique approach to business that can unlock innovation and transformation’
– AISLING KEEGAN

“Despite women’s entrepreneurship rates rising globally by 13pc in recent years, access to capital and technology continue to limit the success of our female entrepreneurs in Ireland,” said Ingrid Devin, director of DWEN. “By connecting female entrepreneurs and investors, we can accelerate positive change that empowers women-led business growth.”

The DWEN Women Funding Women event takes place in Huckletree D2, The Academy, Dublin 2, from 5pm to 8pm on 6 February.

“At Dell EMC Ireland we are committed to increasing the important role that women play in driving business growth,” said Aisling Keegan, Dell EMC Ireland vice-president and general manager, who will also be a keynote speaker at the event.

“Women share a unique approach to business that can unlock innovation and transformation.

“By bringing the Women Funding Women event to Dublin, we can build on the successful Dell EMC Supper Club series rolled out in partnership with GirlCrew that is supporting budding female entrepreneurs in the capital to grow their network, share their experiences and to learn from one another. Through programmes such as these, we can give the next generation of female entrepreneurs the power to do more and achieve their business potential,” Keegan added.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com