IRISHBICs Annual Report - Final - Flipbook - Page 7
NextWave
National Women
Founders
Accelerator
In 2025, the Irish BICs, in collaboration with
Enterprise Ireland, launched NextWave,
a pilot national accelerator programme
designed exclusively to support women
founders in building investor ready, high
growth ventures. Delivered by the Irish
BIC’s, AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor and WestBIC
- NextWave spans a 10+ week hybrid
curriculum that blends structured learning,
expert mentorship, peer community
building and targeted investor engagement.
for investment. Core elements include
immersive in person sessions, flexible
online tracks, strategic mentorship
pathways and opportunities to engage
directly with investors - fostering clarity,
traction and momentum toward scaling
their ventures.
Participants benefited from tailored
supports that aim to accelerate their growth
trajectories and position them for future
funding opportunities, including Enterprise
Ireland’s PreSeed Start Fund (PSSF) and
Innovative High Potential StartUp (IHPSU)
investments.
Following a national call that received
over 150 applications, 24 high-potential
companies were selected to participate
in the inaugural cohort. These women-led
startups span diverse sectors including
digital technologies, life sciences, and
consumer innovation with more than half
located outside Dublin.
NextWave reflects a shared commitment
between the Irish BICs and Enterprise
Ireland to foster inclusive entrepreneurship
and ensure that women founders receive
the strategic support and networks needed
to thrive and scale internationally.
The programme is tailored for women
entrepreneurs with high potential
startups who are aiming for preseed to
seed investment, helping them validate
their ideas, refine compelling business
narratives and strengthen their readiness
Irish BICs Annual Report 2025
7
