About Us

Our Story

The EMPOWER programme began its transformative journey in 2017, initially spanning across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon through the ATU (GMIT) Innovation Hubs. Spearheaded by Maria Staunton, this groundbreaking initiative was funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
Building on the impressive results of EMPOWER I, funding was secured for EMPOWER II (2019-2022), expanding the reach to include Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal. Under the management of Sandra Divilly Nolan, the programme was delivered through ATU Innovation Hubs across six counties.

Years of Success
Counties
Alumni Network

What We Do

The EMPOWER programme provides tailored startup support, expert mentorship and business acceleration to help women validate concepts, grow operations and achieve lasting impact.

EMPOWER START is designed for those with an idea who are seeking to validate their business concept, while EMPOWER GROWTH is for established entrepreneurs wishing to scale and grow their business. Funding for the EMPOWER I & II programmes was granted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the European Social Fund Agency. It was open to applicants from counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal and was a strong source of economic growth for the region.

Is clár fiontraíochta ban saor in aisce é an Clár EMPOWER Cumasú d’fhiontraithe ban i gceantair Ghaeltachta Mhaigh Eo, na Gaillimhe, Dhún na nGall, Chiarraí, Chorcaí, na Mí agus Phort Láirge. Tá an clár maoinithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta agus á sheachadadh ag Moil Nuálaíochta Ollscoil Theicneolaíochta an Atlantaigh (OTA) agus Ionad Rubicon in Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta na Mumhan (OTM).

EMPOWER Cumasú is a free female entrepreneurship programme for female entrepreneurs in the Gaeltacht areas of Mayo, Galway, Donegal, Kerry, Cork, Meath and Waterford. The programme is funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta and delivered by Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Innovation Hubs and the Rubicon Centre at Munster Technological University (MTU).

EMPOWER Elevate is a 20-month programme designed to create a new ecosystem for established businesswomen in counties Mayo and Galway. This programme is co-funded by Mayo Local Enterprise Office and Galway Local Enterprise Office.

Meet Our Team