25 women, 8 days, 9 events, 500+ diaspora, 8 sectors, 2 Angel Investment Masterclasses, 4 Consulates, 1 Special Envoy, 2 cities.
Our recent AwakenHub and AwakenAngels USA Trade Mission has been nothing short of remarkable, igniting opportunities for women founders and investors alike.
25 women, 8 days, 9 (formal) events, numerous meetups, 500+ diaspora, 9 pitches, 16 women founders, 8 sectors, 2 Angel Investment Masterclasses, 4 Consulates, 1 Special Envoy, 2 cities barely gives you a glimpse of what happened on our second Trade Mission to New York and Boston to coincide with St. Brigid’s Day 2024.
Our 25-strong delegation included 16 women founders, partners Údarás na Gaeltachta and Taylor Wessing Ireland, the AH/AA Co-founding team, Global Ambassador Mary Ann Pierce and AwakenAngels Ambassador Jane McCooey. All with a shared mission to decrease the gender investment gap for women founders and investors.
We started out in New York as guests of the Consulate General of Ireland, New York for inspiring St. Brigid’s Day events including a wonderful evening at the New York Irish Center followed by the Consulate First Friday special panel led by the authors of "Bad Bridget," Dr. Leanne McCormick of Ulster University and Dr. Elaine Farrell of Queen's University Belfast.
A huge thanks to the British Consulate-General Boston Dr Peter Abbott OBE OBE and guests Joe Kennedy III and Sighle FitzGerald Consulate General of Ireland Boston for an unforgettable night in Beacon Hill in Boston which could only be equalled by our final night in New York when we felt on top of the world overlooking New York from the private residence of the British Consulate General in New York hosted by Stephanie Horsburgh.
Two AwakenAngels – Angel Investment Masterclasses were also hosted in New York (Bank of Ireland NYC Hub) and Boston (Ted Hu, MIT Technology Review) along with several MeetUps in Boston and New York with prospective investors, VC’s and interested parties.
We attended, hosted and were exclusively hosted by our friends across the week to the tune of 9 events across 8 days with over 500 guests plus numerous side bar meetings and introductions.
Huge thanks to everybody involved. We are already planning additional trips over the coming months and looking to next year.
A special note of thanks to our AwakenHub partners AIB , InterTradeIreland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Ulster University, Queen's University Belfast QUBIS Ltd, Catalyst, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, MAP Digital: MetaMeetings®, Taylor Wessing Ireland, Innovate-NI, Ulster Bank NI, The Open University, North West Regional College (NWRC), British Business Bank Northern Ireland
Thank you to Invest Northern Ireland – Americas for specific support in making this mission possible.
And a shout out to our delegation who showed resilience, talent, power to make genuine connections not only for themselves but for eachother and made the most of every minute and every opportunity which presented themselves.
Yvonne Comer, MBA, Sinéad Ward, Jennie Haire, Mary McIntaggart, Sheelagh Brady, Jenna Farrell, Justina Anulika Ugwah (MRSC), Emma Meehan, Naomi McGregor, Claire O'Kane, Lisa Hughes, Karen Yates, Romona Harron-Harding, Olivia Mcveigh' Edel Owens The WholeFoodHero
Any interest in joining our AwakenAngels syndicate then pop over to www.awakenangelshq.com
“My first time in Boston and NYC and the experience was above and beyond my expectations. This trip is a result of weeks and years of hard work, relationship building and deep domain expertise of the AwakenHub and AwakenAngels founders. Thank you for making this happen and pushing us out there to get this pre-seed round closed!”
“Get in the lift! ... Change is on the horizon. AwakenHub and AwakenAngels are a dedicated team not just talking the talk but walking the walk... I had the honour of ... this transformative journey firsthand during a meticulously planned week in New York and Boston. The agenda was packed with curated networking events and introductions to top-tier US supporters, all eager to back and support female leaders ready to make their mark. The magic unfolds when you’re surrounded by individuals who not only believe in your potential but are also ready to champion your cause.””
“After the support I felt from AwakenHub and female founders from across the island of Ireland at the St Brigids event in New York last year, and going on to raise Angel Investment from the Mission, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to join AwakenHub event in Boston & New York this year!”
“Empowering female founders isn’t just about leveling the playing field—it’s about unlocking untold potential, igniting innovation, shaping a future where opportunity knows no gender. ... empowering the world with diverse perspectives, groundbreaking ideas, and limitless possibilities. Few do this better than the team at the AwakenHub AwakenAngels.
Words fall short in capturing the vibrancy and dynamism of the richly choreographed week in #NYC & Boston... to seize opportunities, forge connections, and blaze trails of innovation that transcend boundaries and redefine the entrepreneurial landscape... a catalyst for impactful collaboration, driving innovation and empowerment that resonates far beyond the week.”
“How generous are you with your time, your wisdom, your cash, your contacts? AwakenHub and AwakenAngels have a chosen a big cause to level the playing field for female entrepreneurs and female investors. Heard it all before??? Been there, Done that.... I guarantee you haven’t, the generosity shown to everyone ... has been unbelievable and sometimes overwhelming… What I love the most is that they didn’t just talk about it, or wait for permission....they just gone on with it, built it, opened their “black book of contacts” and selected 17 #femalefounders they believe in and gave them a huge opportunity to pitch in the US.””
