Female High Fliers Accelerator

Female High Fliers is an accelerator programme for Ireland’s best early stage start-ups, specifically addressing the challenges facing female entrepreneurs. The programme will fast track your business development and leadership skills. Your journey of business growth starts with us.

Are you looking for a tailored programme that understands the particular needs and challenges facing your startup? Do you want to propel your business on the fast track to profit and scalability? Could your business learn important lessons by being being part of a supportive group of like-minded female founders?

Female High Fliers is the first accelerator programme in Ireland designed exclusively for startups founded and run by female entrepreneurs. With over 150 high calibre applicants competing for 10 places, per cycl, it’s very competitive.

The Academy has fine-tuned the Female High Fliers programme again in 2017. With the continued support of Enterprise Ireland, we are offering an even more focused opportunity for startups to accelerate to the next level. As well as receiving the usual top-flight tools, support and guidance – for which the Academy is renowned – this special programme has also been constructed with the unique challenges facing female run business in mind.

BENEFITS OF THE FEMALE HIGH FLIERS PROGRAMME

Your business development and growth will be accelerated.
Access to peer start up founder network
Access to the DCU Ryan Academy experienced entrepreneurs & investor network
Weekly practical workshops and training content

PR Oppertunities
Critical challenges on your business plans and assumptions
Exposure to our experience mentor panels.

WHY FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS?

We understand the specific challenges facing female-led startups in Ireland today and recognise the huge under- supported opportunity they present.

Female led technology companies achieve a return on investment that is more than one-third GREATER than their male-run competitors. Yet new US and UK research suggests they are 60% LESS likely to get a bank loan approved. Perhaps more worryingly, females also continue to be more risk averse than their male counterparts.

You will be taken on a 13 week journey of discovery – equipping you with the information, guidance and tools you need to turn your great idea into a profitable and scalable business. Throughout the programme you will be supported by expert business mentors as well as gaining access to the Academy’s unrivalled network of alumni and investors.

Each programme is designed to propel the startup towards an Academy Demo Day where participants pitch to an invited audience of investors, corporates and mentors – all focused on attracting potential funding, future customers and possible partnerships. We are keen to hear from businesses in every market sector. The programme also creates powerful and long lasting relationships. Alumni from previous cycles still meet regularly to share each other’s valuable lessons and learn from their ongoing startup journey.