Press release -
Five Irish female entrepreneurs win a total of €90,000 in Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, today announced the winners of its biggest-ever She’s Next Grant Programme in Ireland. Now in its fourth year, entries have more than trebled since the programme first launched, highlighting the appetite for support tailored to women in business.
Spanning sectors as diverse as food, women’s health, haircare and physical education, Visa’s 2024 She’s Next Grant Programme winners were revealed and celebrated at an awards ceremony in Dublin today.
The winners are:
- Claire Fullam, founder of Remi Scalp Care
- Marian Kennedy, founder of Anewmum, Post Partum Relief Healthcare
- Sinéad Ryan, founder of Little Fitness, a physical education social enterprise
- Denise Walsh, founder of Curly Co haircare range
- Lisa Kleiner, Co-founder of Nibbed Cacao, bean-to-bar range
Research conducted by Visa highlights the challenges faced by small businesses in Ireland, and in particular, the unique obstacles encountered by women entrepreneurs. According to its latest study1, access to investment and funding (49%), along with support programmes and business grants (33%), are critical resources that small businesses rely on to survive.
This year’s overall winner, Claire Fullam, founder of Remi Scalp Care, was awarded a €50,000 grant, the largest business grant ever awarded by Visa’s She’s Next programme, having successfully pitched her business to Visa’s judging panel in January. Each of the four other winners received a €10,000 business grant to help take their next business steps with confidence.
All five winners of the She’s Next Grant Programme will also receive mentoring from award-winning entrepreneur and Visa’s She’s Next Campaign Ambassador, Aimee Connolly, founder of Sculpted by Aimee. Additionally, they will benefit from business coaching provided by MentorsWork, an initiative by Skillnet Ireland in partnership with the Small Firms Association (SFA). As part of the programme, the winners also participated in group pitch preparation sessions designed to equip them with the skills and confidence to excel when future funding opportunities arise.
Mandy Lamb, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Visa commented: “Ireland is home to an incredible wealth of female talent and at Visa we’re proud to support them. Recognising there is still more work to do to create an equitable future for female entrepreneurs, our She’s Next Grant Programme is designed to help uplift female-led small businesses and deliver the tools they need to thrive. Each of our five winners demonstrated immense potential and we look forward to supporting them on their journey to success through access to funding, mentoring and coaching. We’re delighted to congratulate our inspiring winners – Remi Scalp Care, Nibbed Cacao, CurlyCo, Little Fitness, and Anewmum – and remain focused on continuing to create an inclusive environment for small businesses in Ireland to grow.”
Aimee Connolly, Visa’s She’s Next mentor and judge, said of the winners: "It’s truly inspirational to see the passion and innovation showcased by Visa’s five She’s Next winners. Having been through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship myself with Sculpted By Aimee, I understand firsthand the challenges that come with growing a brand from the ground up. That’s why I’m excited to provide mentoring to this talented group of women entrepreneurs and share the insights and strategies that have helped me to grow and scale. I’m already looking forward to seeing what these businesses will achieve into the future.”
Minister Niamh Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, said: “I am delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this year’s Visa She’s Next Grant Programme winners. These five inspiring female entrepreneurs exemplify the innovation, resilience, and leadership that drive Ireland’s business community forward. Initiatives like She’s Next play a vital role in breaking down barriers for women in business, providing not only essential funding but also mentorship and strategic support. Congratulations to Claire, Marian, Sinéad, Denise, and Lisa on this well-earned recognition—I have no doubt their businesses will continue to thrive and inspire many others. I also want to commend Visa for its continued commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs across Ireland. Its investment in women-led businesses does more than support individual success stories—it strengthens our economy as a whole and paves the way for future generations of female entrepreneurs.”
About She’s Next, Empowered by Visa
The 2024 She’s Next Grant Programme saw the largest number of applicants to date, with over 770 businesses applying. Since 2021, Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme has awarded €215,000 in funding and coaching to 20 women entrepreneurs across Ireland.
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WINNERS’ CITATIONS
Remi Scalp Care, Co Dublin:
Remi Scalp Care, founded in 2023 by Clinical Trichologist Claire Fullam, is a science-backed Irish beauty brand revolutionising scalp health. Endorsed by dermatologists, GPs, and stylists, Remi empowers consumers with healthier scalps and stronger hair. Claire’s journey began after experiencing alopecia areata in 2016, which inspired her to retrain as a Clinical Trichologist. She founded Trua Trichology Clinic in 2020, now Ireland’s leading scalp health clinic, treating over 5,000 clients worldwide. Drawing on her expertise, Claire developed the sustainable, effective Remi range to meet the growing demand for targeted scalp solutions.
Quote from Claire Fullam, founder of Remi Scalp Care: “Being amongst the winners of this year’s Visa She’s Next Programme is an incredible boost for Remi Scalp Care. The grant funding will significantly accelerate our research and development efforts within our clinical trials, helping us bring innovative scalp care solutions to market. I’m also excited about the mentorship opportunity with Aimee Connolly, whose community-driven brand I admire. Looking to the future, UK expansion is in our sights, but our vision long-term is going global. Scalp health matters to everyone, and we’re ready to lead the way in this area.”
Anewmum, Post Partum Relief Healthcare Ltd, Co Tipperary:
Anewmum, Post Partum Relief Healthcare Ltd was founded by Marian Kennedy, a mum of four, in 2015. Marian was inspired to develop the Anewmum range of products to support new mothers in their recovery post-birth following her own postpartum experience.
Marian is passionate about female healthcare and creating products that are science backed. The company’s Anewmum range has been created to help with the physical effects of pregnancy & birth with a range of hygiene and postpartum skincare products.
Quote from Marian Kennedy, Anewmum founder: “Winning the She’s Next grant has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. Launching Anewmum has come with challenges, from navigating Brexit to rising global costs, so this recognition is a powerful validation of the market need and future potential of our business. The funding will accelerate product development, support ongoing scientific research, and help us bring innovative solutions to market faster. Additionally, the pitch preparation sessions have been invaluable, equipping me with the skills and confidence to pursue future funding opportunities with even greater success.”
Little Fitness, Co Dublin:
Little Fitness is a Social Enterprise founded by Sinéad Ryan that offers inclusive educational fitness programmes to children in homeless services and marginalised communities.
Little Fitness provides 8-week physical activity programmes that are fun, educational, and accessible to children of all ages, genders, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. By partnering with organisations like Cricket Ireland and Weightlifting Ireland, Little Fitness introduces children to new sports and skills, creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Quote from Sinéad Ryan, founder of Little Fitness: “Being one of this year’s She’s Next Grant winners is an incredible feeling for the Little Fitness team as a whole. Every aspect of this support programme has, and will be invaluable, especially the business coaching and the strong network we’ve built with fellow winners. Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans for Little Fitness, including launching an e-commerce shop, with proceeds helping us expand our programmes and reach more children living in homeless services in Ireland. This grant is a game-changer in making those plans a reality.”
CurlyCo, Co Kilkenny:
Founded by Denise Walsh, CurlyCo offers expert hair care solutions for individuals with curly hair. With over 30 years of experience in the haircare industry, Denise brings personal insight and deep expertise to CurlyCo’s products, which are vegan, cruelty-free, and made in Ireland with locally sourced components. CurlyCo has partnered with 170 pharmacies nationwide and reached over 5,000 customers in its first year. The company also hosts CurlyConsult events, providing tailored hair care and education for the curly-haired community.
Quote from Denise Walsh, CurlyCo founder: “Being named one of this year’s She’s Next Grant winners is an incredible feeling and a testament to our team’s dedication and vision for the business. The funding alone will help us overcome manufacturing challenges, create starter kits and minis to reach a wider audience and elevate our events and masterclasses going forward. The business coaching and mentorship opportunities are also a fantastic opportunity to tap into business experts who can offer us advice on enhancing our brand’s premium position in the market.”
Nibbed Cacao, Co. Galway:
Nibbed Cacao offers organic hot cacao drinks as a functional alternative to coffee, delivering sustained energy without jitters thanks to theobromine, a natural stimulant. Each cup supports overall well-being with fibre iron, and magnesium for gut, cognitive, and heart health. Crafted from bean to bar, Nibbed emphasises self-care through its rich, sophisticated taste and relaxing ritual. Led by founder Lisa Kleiner, a food safety and nutrition expert, and Marketing Director, Anna O'Sullivan, Nibbed thrives in retail, online, and food service markets.
Quote from Lisa Kleiner, Co-Founder of Nibbed Cacao: “Being named one of this year’s She’s Next Grant winners is an amazing boost, both financially and emotionally, and serves as a powerful validation of the hard work we've put into Nibbed Cacao. The grant itself is a significant step forward in supporting our growth plans, but the opportunity to learn from industry leaders like Aimee Connolly and connect with other like-minded women is truly invaluable. Building this network is a game-changer for us and will have a lasting impact on our business journey.”
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About Visa Inc
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.ie.
About the research:
Between 15th July and 9th August 2024, Visa commissioned research among 318 SMBs in Ireland to examine the landscape for business owners in Ireland. The research was conducted across an even gender split and provides insights into challenges, supports, adaptation, investment opportunities for business owners in Ireland and the differences in challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Ireland.
Disclaimer:
Case studies, statistics, research and recommendations are provided “AS IS” and intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for operational, marketing, legal, technical, tax, financial or other advice. Visa Inc. does not make any warranty or representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the Information within this document, nor assume any liability or responsibility that may result from reliance on such Information. The Information contained herein is not intended as legal advice, and readers are encouraged to seek the advice of a competent legal professional where such advice is required.