Ireland’s only all-island angel investment syndicate, AwakenAngels, has returned from its latest United States trade mission, having secured a strategic partnership with global organisation Women in Innovation (WIN) to accelerate the number of women becoming early-stage investors.
Through the partnership, the syndicate will educate women working across the globe in innovation, technology, finance, and enterprise to become active angel investors through participation in its AwakenAngels Academy. The partnership provides WIN’s 6,000 members worldwide with access to the AwakenAngels Academy. The CPD-accredited programme is designed to equip women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to invest in early-stage companies, including those led by Irish women.
WIN members will join the next AwakenAngels Academy throughout 2026. The first cohort commences on 17th February, with a limited number of sponsored places still available for registration for women interested in learning more about angel investing at awakenangelshq.com
Formed in 2023, AwakenAngels recently revealed that it has already helped eight portfolio companies, all members of its sister all-island founder community, AwakenHub, secure more than €4.3M in investment. Portfolio companies include Gigi Supplements. The company, which won the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn competition, has just completed a €1.5M investment round and is now stocked in over 200 retail outlets, including Boots and Holland & Barrett stores across Ireland. Another four syndicate deals are set to close in the coming weeks.
The new partnership was announced in New York at a reception at the British Consul General’s residence, attended by senior diplomatic representatives, including Deputy Irish Consul General Roisin Leonard and Deputy British Consul General Mel Lawrence. The event was one of a series organised as part of AwakenHub and AwakenAngel’s fourth St Brigid’s Day Trade Mission, during which 13 women founders from NI and ROI pitched asks ranging from £1.5M to £7M.
New research
The agreement follows research highlighted by Chloe Alana Williams, co-lead of WIN’s London chapter and founder of 8TH DAY, which found growing numbers of professional women are seeking alternative routes to investment advice and capital deployment. The findings cite low levels of trust in traditional banking and financial institutions. Instead, many are turning to peer-led networks and education-driven communities to guide their investment decisions, such as AwakenAngels.
The Hidden Women Report’s findings show 89% of the 2700 women surveyed feel it’s important to be financially independent, rising to 92% among women 45+.
Speaking about the partnership, Denise McQuaid, Cofounder and Director of Investor Relations, AwakenAngels, said: “The recent research by Chloe Williams, leader of the London WIN chapter, highlights the very real opportunities that exist for founder and angel investment communities like AwakenAngels and AwakenHub globally, and every woman who wants to have a bigger say in how she deploys her capital and owns her financial future.
“This partnership is also very important news for women founders globally. Access to capital remains one of the biggest barriers to growth, and this collaboration with WIN will deliver a new global pipeline of informed, values-aligned women investors who actively want to invest into early-stage businesses worldwide.
“By connecting women in innovation, finance, enterprise, and technology with the AwakenAngels Academy, we are turning their expertise and influence into ownership, and ensuring more women are at the investment table shaping the future of economies at home and around the world.”
Amanda Ramos, Chief Executive of WIN, said: “At WIN, we believe that true innovation requires a seat at every table, especially the one where financial decisions are made. This partnership with AwakenAngels is a vital step in evolving our members from industry practitioners to influential capital allocators, directly shaping the future of the global economy.”
Edwina Fitzmaurice, Chair of WIN, said: “WIN was founded to bridge the gap between innovation and impact. By partnering with AwakenAngels, we are moving beyond just creating the future; we are ensuring our members have the financial literacy and platform to own it.”
Chloe Williams, Co-Chapter Lead in London said “Women are taking control of their futures and finances. They are proactively seeking to upskill themselves and looking at brands and businesses that meet the needs of women. And investing in them to ensure they grow.”
Mary Ann Pierce, AwakenHub Global Ambassador, added: “The AwakenAngels partnership with WIN completes the ecosystem of women funding innovative women. We look forward to working with other professional organisations to encourage more to invest in building better futures for us all.”
Registration still open
The next AwakenAngels Academy, supported by British Business Bank and InterTradeIreland commences on 17th February. Some sponsored places are still available, and applications for entry onto the nine-module online course close on Friday, 13th February. Further information on the course and for founders seeking investment is available at awakenangelshq.com.
Additional activity
As part of its mission to ensure Irish women founders have access to opportunities to scale their companies, AwakenHub is also hosting an information session at 1pm on Tuesday, 10th February with UMass Lowell and the Irish winner of last year’s competition, Medtech startup, Lia Eyecare. Both will outline the opportunities linked to the UMass Global Challenge and international market access. The Co. Cork-based firm entered the competition having heard about the opportunity while taking part in the 2025 AwakenHub and AwakenAngels St Brigid’s Day Trade Mission to Boston and New York. Interested companies can register at www.awakenhub.com or via the following link UMass 200K Challenge 2026 info session with AwakenHub · Zoom · Luma
A busy week in the North West will also see the syndicate host its next in-person pitch night on Monday at the Maldron Hotel, Derry. Bringing together investors and founders for live pitches, the event also features a fireside conversation with Derry-based entrepreneur Leeann Monk Ogzul, founder of Elemental, who will reflect on her growth and exit journey.
Sister organisation AwakenHub is also set to host the first residential of its WeScale programme this week. Delivered in conjunction with Cranfield University, 34 women founders from across Ireland will be welcomed to Derry this week, with further residentials planned for Galway and Cork in March and April.
AwakenHub will also deliver its next Activate AI programme workshop on sales and investment at Catalyst, Derry, on Wednesday.
Find out more at awakenangelshq.com and awakenhub.com