During the Thought Leadership Session led by Cork innovates, 10 indigenous female entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a delegation of 8 top US businesswomen. “The women received strategic advice and information on how to break into the American market,” says Siobhan Finn, Project Director of Cork innovates, “the US delegation chose Dee based on her strategic vision and long term goals.”

The winner was announced last Wednesday July 30th at Cork Foundation’s Networking Evening, sponsored by Vodafone Ireland, EMC, PepsiCo and RDJ Solicitors, where over 100 of the top Irish businesswomen networked with the US delegates to showcase the best of what Ireland has to offer to the business world. The evening featured Anne O’Leary, CEO, Vodafone Ireland and Cork Foundation Strategic Advisory Board Member as keynote speaker and an artisan picnic which highlighted some of Cork’s finest food producers.

The two events were the first of their kind in Ireland and were created by Cork Foundation and Cork innovates to encourage female innovation and provide local female entrepreneurs with the opportunity to establish helpful business contacts.

“Women are 5 times more likely to set up their own business after meeting other women entrepreneurs. We wanted to provide an arena for these crucial introductions to take place because we recognise the important role entrepreneurs play as Cork works to develop itself as a flourishing business economy,” Says Cork Foundation CEO, Heather McGuire. “Dee O’Leary’s trip to the USA will open doors for her company and expose Cork’s business potential overseas.”