If you operate a women-owned small business and are looking to take things to the next level, then you're going to want to hear this.

Ireland continues to have an abundance of women-owned small businesses, whether they run their own restaurants, have their own fashion boutiques or makeup lines, or are innovative entrepreneurs working to create something truly unique. In celebration of these incredible women, Visa's She's Next Grant Programme returns for a fourth consecutive year, a programme that works to empower and fund female-led businesses in Ireland.

Previous winners include the likes of Suraya Rahman of Little Eden Terrariums, Marion Cantillon, of Pitseal, and Alison McGrath from My First Step, all of which have seen huge success as a result of the programme and the funding it provides, and this year Visa's She's Next Grant Programme is mixing things up a little.

2024 marks the most ambitious She’s Next Grant Programme yet with a total prize fund of €90,000 being awarded to five women-owned businesses. This includes four grants of €10,000 and one grand prize of €50,000, awarded to the overall winner.

Beyond financial support, all five women entrepreneurs will also receive:

• Professional coaching and one to one mentoring sessions from our partners at MentorsWork, as well as from Aimee Connolly, founder of Sculpted by Aimee
• Pitch preparation in a series of group and individual sessions to be in with a chance of winning the grand prize of €50,000 and to equip them with the skills and confidence to excel during future funding endeavours

Think your business has what it takes? Here's everything you need to know about applying.

Judging criteria

Entrants will be judged in the following areas:

1. Compelling story of entrepreneurship
2. Strength of business metrics
3. Compelling digital presence
4. Compelling problem solving within the business
5. Quality of written materials and/or visual media
6. Future potential of the business and growth opportunity

Truly transformational prizes are up for grabs through Visa's She's Next Grant Programme, and if you want to follow in the footsteps of some of the incredible women-led businesses, don't miss your shot, and apply today. You can find more information as well as the application details for Visa's She's Next Grant Programme here.

The closing date for entries is 30th October 2024.

4 x €10,000 grants and 1 x €50,000 available. Open to women-owned businesses in ROI. T&C apply*.