Significant Increase in Female-led Companies in the South and Mid-west

AxisBIC, which drives innovation and supports start-ups in the Mid-West and South West, has seen an increase in the number of female entrepreneurs raising investment to grow their business.

Figures for 2025 show that 35% of High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) approvals in the region were companies founded or co-founded by women, while 57% of Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) approvals were female-led companies.

AxisBIC, which works with businesses in Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick, revealed the figures ahead of International Women’s Day as it encourages more women to take the leap into setting up their own company.

Over the past five years at AxisBIC’s flagship event, the Entrepreneur Experience, more than 50% of the participating businesses were founded or co-founded by women, far outstripping the national average of 25% to 30%. Figures show that these female-led businesses raised a total investment of €42 million.

As well as the Entrepreneur Experience, AxisBIC organises a mini-accelerator and pitching event annually – the AxisBIC Venture Academy. Last year, Valentia Island Vermouth was named Most Investible Company and has subsequently been approved for PSSF funding and secured HPSU investment.

Speaking about the win, founders Anna and Orla Snook O’Carroll said: “AxisBIC has been an exceptional support to us as founders, helping Valentia Island Vermouth strengthen our business strategy and prepare for long-term growth. Their guidance around planning, investor readiness and pitching was invaluable, particularly as 2025 became such a major milestone year for the company. We’re proud to have secured PSSF funding, followed by HPSU investment, and AxisBIC’s support was a key part of that journey. Being named Most Investible Company at the AxisBIC 2025 Venture Academy was also a brilliant endorsement of the progress we’ve made.”

The team at AxisBIC works closely with each entrepreneur to develop a well-tested business plan, raise investment, manage business propositions, and arrange agreements with shareholders and investors. The organisation has an extensive network of partners, including local authorities, universities, investors, business bodies and seasoned entrepreneurs across Ireland and internationally.

CEO of AxisBIC, Larry O’Donoghue, said: “At AxisBIC, our commitment of supporting and advancing female-led startups is underpinned by a strong ‘Give to Gain’ ethos. The organisation draws on an extensive network of experienced entrepreneurs, investors and partners who mentor, coach and advise emerging founders. In addition, AxisBIC, together with the four Irish Business Innovation Centres (Irish BICs), has recently organised and supported Enterprise Ireland’s newly established accelerator programme, NextWave. NextWave is the new National Women’s founder Accelerator designed to empower women founders to validate, build and scale with confidence.”

Among the female start-ups supported by AxisBIC are Rosanne Longmore, of FemTech company Coroflo; Peigín Crowley, of health and wellness brand Ground Wellbeing; and Rena Maycock of Chirp, which is rewriting the script on mobile phone child protection.

To mark International Women’s Day, AxisBIC is co-hosting a webinar, ‘Forging Collaboration and Sharing Entrepreneurial Success Stories to Balance the Scales’, along with partner incubators in the EU and the Caribbean. The transatlantic conversation on Tuesday, March 10th, will feature female entrepreneurs from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Ireland and Slovenia.

Participating in the discussion will be Alice Carroll from Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey. Speaking ahead of the event, she said: “I have been driven by a mission to democratise whiskey. Building Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey has always been about challenging expectations and creating a more inclusive future for the category. AxisBIC has provided invaluable support through strategic business planning and a strong commitment to female entrepreneurs. I’m delighted to take part in the upcoming webinar and to connect with inspiring women founders from across Europe and the Caribbean.”

The webinar will be taking place from 1 pm – 2 pm, and people can register to attend on the AxisBIC website.