An innovative new support programme geared towards female business owners in Irish speaking areas was officially unveiled at an event held in Spiddal, Galway last week. Titled Cumasú, the initiative aims to foster and accelerate entrepreneurship among women residing in the Gaeltacht regions of several counties including Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Kerry, Cork, Meath and Waterford.
Delivered through a partnership between regional development agency Údarás na Gaeltachta and the Empower Programme run jointly by third level institutions ATU and MTU, Cumasú consists of two strands. The first is a 12 week mixed online and in-person module designed to aid participants in developing early stage business concepts. The second element focuses on supporting female founders who have already been in operation for 18 months or more, looking to expand their enterprises.
The programme utilizes a peer learning model where women business owners can learn from one another’s experiences. Participants on the scale stage portion will come together one day per month. In launching the new initiative at Stiúideo Cuan in An Spidéal, those gathered heard about the goal of Cumasú to boost and accelerate the number of women-led businesses thriving within our Irish language communities. The scheme offers a valuable opportunity for female entrepreneurs located in the Gaeltacht to gain skills, advice and network with others on a similar journey of entrepreneurial growth.