NEW RESEARCH SHOWS ALMOST HALF OF WOMEN WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO CONSIDER STARTING A BUSINESS IF THEY KNEW A WOMAN WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY DONE SO
Local Enterprise Office study finds that pursuing a product or idea they feel passionate about and having greater flexibility about how they work were key motivators for female entrepreneurs, as National Women’s Enterprise Day marks its 20th year.
15 October 2026 – Almost half of Irish women (49%) say that knowing a woman who has successfully started a business would make them more likely to consider starting their own, compared with 34% of men, according to new research conducted by Amárach Research* on behalf of the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to mark 20 years of National Women’s Enterprise Day (NWED), taking place nationwide today (Thursday 15th).
The research underlines the influence of visible role models, with just 7% of women saying it would make them less likely to consider starting a business. The influence of role models is strongest among younger adults. Half (50%) of those aged under 35 say knowing a woman who has successfully started a business would make them more likely to consider starting their own, compared with 29% of those aged 65 and over.
National Women’s Enterprise Day was established by the Local Enterprise Offices to help shine a light on female success stories in business and entrepreneurship and to educate women on where they can access supports for their ideas of businesses, no matter what stage they are at.
The research also shows what would motivate Irish adults to start a business. Pursuing an idea, product or service they feel passionate about and greater flexibility and control over how and when they work were the most commonly cited biggest reasons, each chosen by 28% of adults, ahead of the potential to earn more money than in their current job (18%) and wanting to be their own boss (16%). Among women, 28% cite passion and 27% cite flexibility, while 17% cite earning more money. Flexibility is particularly strong among those aged 25–34, almost half of whom (47%) cite it as their biggest reason.
The research also looked at how access to funding and mentorship has changed over the last 20 years. Almost four in ten women (38%) believe it has become easier for women to access funding and mentorship to start or grow a business. Across all adults, 44% say it has become easier, compared with just 19% who say harder.
Peter Burke, T.D. Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, said: “Twenty years on, National Women’s Enterprise Day continues to show the difference that visible role models make. This research tells us that seeing another woman succeed in business can be the encouragement that turns an idea into a decision, which is why it matters so much that women in every county can hear first-hand from female entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses.
“It is also encouraging that almost four in ten women feel that access to funding and mentorship has become easier over the last two decades, and that more women see progress than see things getting harder. The Local Enterprise Offices play a central role in that, offering mentoring, training and financial supports to entrepreneurs in every local authority area. Our job is to keep building on that progress so that every woman with a business idea knows where to turn and has the support to take the first step.”
Minister Niamh Smyth said: “National Women’s Enterprise Day has spent two decades highlighting the talent, ambition and innovation of women right across Ireland. This research shows that women are motivated to start businesses not only by the opportunity to turn a passion into a career, but also by the flexibility, independence and impact that entrepreneurship can provide.
“Female-led businesses make a vital contribution to our local economies, our communities and our national competitiveness. While it is encouraging to see more people recognising improvements in access to funding and mentorship, there is more work to do to ensure that every woman with an idea, regardless of where she lives or her background, has the confidence and support to pursue it. Through the Local Enterprise Offices and initiatives such as National Women’s Enterprise Day, we are committed to fostering an environment where more women can start, grow and scale successful businesses.”
Orla Martin and Vibeke Delahunt, Co-Chairs of National Women’s Enterprise Day, said: “This research shows the power of seeing someone like you succeed. Almost half of women tell us that knowing a woman who has started a business would make them more likely to consider doing the same, and that is what National Women’s Enterprise Day has been about for 20 years by putting women who have done it in front of women who are thinking about it.
“Across the Local Enterprise Office network, mentoring, training, funding and expert advice are available in every local authority area, and it is encouraging that women are more likely to say access to funding and mentorship has become easier over the past two decades than harder. Today, at 16 events across the country, women can hear directly from female founders, ask questions and find out what support is available. Whether you are just starting out, scaling up or looking to reach new markets, we want every woman to leave knowing that the next step is within reach.”
Now in its 20th year, National Women’s Enterprise Day is organised by the Local Enterprise Offices with 16 events taking place across the country, bringing together some of Ireland’s most inspiring and successful female entrepreneurs.
Some of those involved in the events across the country this year include beauty entrepreneurs Marissa Carter of Cocoa Brown and Jennifer Rock of the Skin Nerd, broadcasters and entrepreneurs Sonya Lennon and Anna Daly, wellness influencer Mirenda Rosenberg, Lauren Murphy founder of Oatco Superfuel and health entrepreneur Oonagh O’Hagan.
This year’s events cover a wide range of topics for women at every stage of business, from improving your online presence to becoming a more sustainable business. That might be those who have an idea they want to develop or those who have been in business for a while and want to diversify or enter new markets. There will be experts on all areas involved from funding and networking to marketing and upskilling.
Established in 2014, the Local Enterprise Offices are the essential resource for any entrepreneur looking to start a business or any small business that is looking for support or advice to help them grow. Since their inception twelve years ago, the Local Enterprise Offices, located in local authorities and funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment through Enterprise Ireland, have helped create over 80,000 jobs across the country. The LEOs work with thousands of client companies across Ireland in a diverse range of sectors offering mentoring, training, expert advice and financial supports to small businesses.
For more information on National Women’s Enterprise Day and what events are on go to www.LocalEnterprise.ie/NWED
*Research was conducted across a cross section of 1,000 adults in the Republic of Ireland
