Twelve female entrepreneurs unveiled their new business ventures today on Thursday last on completion of the PINC programme in Ireland's leading business innovation hub, the Rubicon Centre. The PINC Programme is specifically targeted at developing successful female entrepreneurs, who are under-represented and account for just 34% of entrepreneurial activity across the European Union, with this percentage being considerably lower in Ireland.
PINC is delivered on the basis of an eight week intensive part-time programme with a group of female entrepreneurs who are either seeking to establish a new enterprise or to grow an existing business. Participants are provided with the tools they need to grow and develop their business including; idea evaluation, business planning, market research, business funding, financial planning and business development.
To date over 90 female entrepreneurs from a broad range of sectors have completed the programme with more than 70 new jobs created by those who have gone on to grow their business since the programme began in 2011. Among the burgeoning entrepreneurs showcasing their business was Jamie Monagan, Irish Custom Throws by Loominations which creates quality cotton throws which weaves an organisation's identity in to a keepsake blanket.
Speaking at the showcase, Monagan who was awarded the prize for best business opportunity said, "I am delighted to showcase my new business at the Rubicon Centre today. The PINC programme has taught me the fundamentals of building a business and I am already witnessing the benefits of the course. It has given me the confidence to realise my own potential and my outlook for the future of Irish Custom Throws is now extremely positive. Not only has the mentorship from the team at the Rubicon been second to none but the support that is shown between all the participants is proof that positivity breeds positivity. This business is unique to Ireland and the UK and I am looking forward to expanding my range of throws in the months ahead."
Also speaking of the programme, George Bulman, Operations Manager at The Rubicon Centre said, "The PINC programme was set up in 2011 on the back of research which showed that entrepreneurial activity among females was worryingly low in Ireland in comparison to the rest of Europe. But in just three years we have made big strides in setting this right here at the Rubicon. Each year the calibre of our participants gets stronger and this is evident from today's graduates who are exiting the programme with a clear vision for the future growth of their respective businesses."
Other winners on the day included Mags Noonan (best presentation) whose business Liveeka is a medicinal cream used in the treatment of joint and muscle pain and Michelle Ryan of Michelle Ryan Health (best stand), a Nutritional Gluten Free Therapist who produces Activated nuts for better health for all ages.
