Visa Foundation and INCO support early-stage small businesses in Ireland with new training programme and micro-grants

• The CatalyseHer Programme aims to provide 100 women entrepreneurs with training and support to grow their businesses and make them more investment-ready

• Early-stage businesses with a focus on social and environmental impact can apply from 10th July

Dublin, 10 July: Today, Visa Foundation is announcing the launch of a new initiative to support and empower women-led small businesses in Ireland through a comprehensive training, community building and micro-grant programme.

In partnership with INCO, a leading social enterprise company, the programme will support early-stage, revenue-generating companies that are focused on creating a positive social and environmental impact.

Women entrepreneurs still face barriers when it comes to access to the investments and resources that support innovation. The new training programme aims to help equip these entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills to grow their business.

Najada Kumbuli, Head of Investments and Partnerships, Visa Foundation said: “Small businesses represent 90% of all companies and account for nearly 70% of both jobs and GDP worldwide. With such a large footprint, they are an integral part of our global economy’s fabric and can’t be overlooked. At Visa Foundation, we are focused on empowering SMBs and entrepreneurs with access to capital, digital tools and financial skills to grow and thrive, and we are proud to launch a tailored program with INCO to reach more entrepreneurs in need of support in Ireland.”

Hannah Rhodes, Associate Director at INCO commented: “At INCO, we see the meaningful impact being created by women entrepreneurs, despite the extra barriers they face. Supporting these entrepreneurs to thrive is at the core of our mission to build a new economy that is green, inclusive, and resilient, which is why we’re incredibly excited to partner with Visa Foundation to launch CatalyseHer, an initiative designed to accelerate women-led businesses making impact across Ireland.”

Entrepreneurs seeking to access the programme can apply here. Once training has been completed, the candidate will be eligible to apply for a grant by submitting a business pitch via video.

Visa's commitment to removing the barriers women founders face goes beyond Visa Foundation’s partnerships. For example, Visa ‘She’s Next’ programme is a global initiative to spotlight women in their efforts to fund, run, and grow their businesses. First launched in Ireland in 2021, the programme has invested more than €200,000 in grants and coaching for female SMB owners across Ireland.