Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme Returns to Empower Irish Female Entrepreneurs in 2026

Dublin, Ireland – March 16, 2026 – Visa has reopened applications for its 2026 She’s Next Grant Programme, offering a total of €90,000 in funding and mentorship to women-owned businesses across Ireland. The initiative aims to address the funding and mentorship gaps that continue to challenge female entrepreneurs.

Grant Details and Eligibility

The She’s Next Grant Programme will award funding to five women-owned businesses: one grand prize of €50,000 and four additional grants of €10,000 each. Visa aims to provide not only financial support but too the tools, mentorship, and confidence needed for sustainable growth.

Mentorship from Leading Irish Businesswomen

For the first time, the programme will feature mentorship from three prominent Irish business leaders: Aimee Connolly (founder and CEO of Sculpted by Aimee), Breege O’Donoghue (former board member of Primark), and Gráinne Mullins (founder of Grá Chocolates). These entrepreneurs will serve as both judges and mentors, sharing their expertise with the five winning businesses. ThinkBusiness reports that all three mentors emphasized the importance of self-belief, mentorship, and a focus on progress over perfection.

Key Advice from the Mentors

• Back Yourself: Aimee Connolly stresses the importance of self-belief, noting that imposter syndrome often stems from feelings rather than facts.
• Seek Mentorship: Breege O’Donoghue advises building strong networks and proactively seeking mentorship to accelerate growth.
• Embrace Imperfection: Gráinne Mullins encourages entrepreneurs to pursue their goals without waiting for everything to be “perfect,” as perfection can hinder progress.

Visa’s Commitment to Women-Owned Businesses

Ines Obtinalla, Head of Marketing, Ireland at Visa, stated that the programme is designed to deliver resources and expertise to empower women business owners. Visa recognizes the positive impact of previous programmes, where funding and mentorship have enabled women to turn ambition into action and achieve significant growth.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can submit a short application via the Visa website. The closing date for applications is April 9, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Terms and conditions apply.

About She’s Next

Visa’s She’s Next Grant Programme is a global initiative designed to support women-owned businesses. The programme provides funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help female entrepreneurs scale their businesses and overcome challenges. IFundWomen partners with Visa to deliver the programme.