AwakenAngels Leads the Way: Building a New Generation of Women Angel Investors Across Ireland
AwakenAngels delivers transformative Deal Leader Training and Angel Investor Masterclass programmes, and invites a new cohort to join the September 2025 Angel Investing Training.
At AwakenAngels, we believe women from professional and corporate backgrounds bring exceptional insight, judgement, and leadership to the investment landscape. Whether you are considering a new chapter in your career, exploring opportunities to grow your financial influence, or seeking a network of like-minded women with purpose, angel investing offers a meaningful and strategic path forward.
In partnership with AwakenHub, InterTradeIreland and the Shared Island Initiative, AwakenAngels has delivered two high-impact programmes over the past year; the Angel Investor Masterclass and the Deal Leader Training Programme. These initiatives were created to address longstanding barriers to participation in early-stage investing and to foster a more inclusive investment ecosystem across the island of Ireland.
The response has been outstanding. More than 260 women participated in our introductory masterclasses and 11 experienced investors completed our intensive Deal Leader Training. These programmes are not only expanding the number of women entering the investment space, they are also preparing them to lead with confidence, clarity, and conviction.
Deal Leader Training Programme: Preparing Women to Lead Investment Rounds
The Deal Leader Training Programme was developed to support experienced women investors to step into lead roles within angel syndicates. Delivered through a blend of expert-led workshops, real-world case studies, and peer collaboration, the training focused on five core areas: due diligence, valuation, deal structuring, legal frameworks, and post-investment governance.
Participants were able to engage directly with legal and investment professionals, assess live start-up pitches, and take part in practical simulations using scenarios drawn from the AwakenAngels portfolio. Many had previously invested capital through syndicates such as AwakenAngels, HBAN, MedTech, or West by North West, yet this programme provided a new level of confidence and leadership capability.
One participant summarised the experience by stating, “I finally understood terms like investing preferences and anti-dilution. This programme made the entire process much more accessible, and I now feel fully prepared to co-lead a deal.”
The training also fostered strong cross-border collaboration, with syndicate members from across Ireland forming lasting connections and deepening their engagement with the ecosystem.
Angel Investor Masterclass: An Accessible Introduction to Investing
Alongside our leadership training, AwakenAngels also delivered fifteen Angel Investor Masterclasses across the island. These sessions were designed as an accessible and practical introduction to angel investing, particularly for women with no prior experience in the field.
AwakenAngels Making an Impact
“inspirational”, “a game changer”, and “a fantastic introduction to angel investing”
Each 90-minute workshop covered the fundamentals of start-up investing, including risk and return, due diligence basics, valuation, impact investing, and portfolio construction. Delivered in collaboration with a diverse range of partners including chambers of commerce, regional enterprise centres, accelerators, and universities, the programme ensured wide geographical and sectoral reach.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants described the sessions as “inspirational”, “a game changer”, and “a fantastic introduction to angel investing”. Many highlighted the importance of hearing directly from experienced women investors, and the value of connecting with others at a similar stage of their investment journey.
By demystifying the world of early-stage finance and creating a safe, inclusive space for discussion, the masterclasses established a strong pipeline of aspiring investors who are now ready to take the next step.
Begin Your Journey as an Angel Investor: Applications Now Open
We are now inviting expressions of interest for the September 2025 Angel Investing Training, a CPD-accredited and fully funded programme for women who are ready to explore the world of angel investing with expert support and a strong peer network.
This programme is specifically designed for professionals who may not yet have invested but bring strong commercial or leadership experience. It offers a practical and comprehensive introduction to angel investing and is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Key benefits include:
No prior investment experience required
Led by industry experts and experienced women investors
Delivered in a professional, peer-focused setting
Fully funded and CPD-accredited
Opportunities to build your network and connect with founders
If you are ready to explore how your experience, capital, and curiosity can make an impact, we encourage you to register your interest today. Register your interest here
Looking Ahead: A More Inclusive Investment Future
The success of the Deal Leader Training and Angel Investor Masterclasses marks a pivotal moment in building a more inclusive and empowered investment community across Ireland and Northern Ireland. These programmes were made possible through the Shared Island Fund and the commitment of InterTradeIreland to create cross-border opportunities for women in business and finance.
With the support of the British Business Bank, and InterTradeIreland alongside continued collaboration with partners across the ecosystem, AwakenAngels is proud to lead this movement.
Together, we are redefining who gets to invest, who receives funding, and what inclusive leadership in finance looks like.
Acknowledgements
We wish to express our sincere thanks to AwakenHub, InterTradeIreland and the Shared Island Fund for their vision and support, and to every participant, speaker, and partner organisation who contributed their expertise, energy, and time. This is more than capacity building; it is collective change.
In February 2024, the Irish Government announced €30 million in funding towards the establishment of a new Shared Island Enterprise Scheme developed by InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland. This funding supports the delivery of new programmes across the island in areas including Women’s Entrepreneurship, Clustering, and Green Enterprise. It marks the first time that all three agencies have collaborated on a shared scheme of this scale.
#AwakenAngels #SharedIsland #WomenInvestors #AngelInvesting #LeadershipInFinance #InclusiveInnovation #AwakenHub
