Tag: women

Over two thirds of women led businesses in Ireland using AI

Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a routine part of how women‑led businesses operate, according to new data from Network Ireland released ahead of its national International Women’s Day event at the Limerick Strand Hotel this Saturday.

The survey of 1,400 members of the country’s largest business networking organisation for women shows that 68% of respondents now use AI in some form, most commonly in marketing, finance or HR. The trend is set to continue, with 72% planning to increase their use of the technology this year, despite two out of three respondents saying they are worried about regulatory or ethical issues linked to AI.

Rising operational pressures are also evident. 76% say costs have increased this year, driven primarily by labour (32%), energy (17%), taxation/compliance (15%), supply‑chain input (13%), insurance (4%) and commercial rates (3%).

Inflation pressures (38%) remain the biggest risk for 2026, followed by a domestic economic slowdown (29%), global instability (21%) and access to finance (5%). Customer demand trends are mixed, with 47% reporting stronger customer demand than in 2025, 31% saying it is unchanged and 22% reporting weaker demand.

LinkedIn and Instagram remain the most important platforms for business growth, with eight in ten business owners posting regularly. The main objectives for social media use are brand awareness (42%), lead generation (30%), community building (14%), direct sales (12%) and recruitment (2%).

Network Ireland’s International Women’s Day event will be headlined by entrepreneur and social innovator Sonya Lennon, who will join speakers from fashion, global sport and enterprise to discuss what it takes to build resilient brands in competitive markets. The programme will also explore the concept of brand wellness, ensuring that as organisations scale, the people behind them remain supported.

The event is supported by AIB, Limerick City and County Council and Enterprise Ireland. Down Syndrome Limerick, the President’s chosen charity partner, will be represented by speaker Annie Conway.

Karen Ronan, Network Ireland President and CEO of Galway Chamber, said the survey findings underline the importance of this year’s International Women’s Day theme.

“Building bridges is about creating access to opportunity, to confidence and to leadership,” she said. “Women are adapting to new technologies and new market realities at pace. Our role is to make sure they have the networks and support to grow with confidence.”

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, commented, “International Women’s Day urges us to turn celebration into action, ensuring that equality, respect and opportunity are not aspirations, but realities for all. Network Ireland continues to champion women who lead, innovate and uplift others. I particularly want to commend Limerick native Karen Ronan for her work as President of Network Ireland, while wishing Barbara MacCarthy the very best of luck in her term as Limerick branch President throughout 2026.”

Geraldine Casey, Managing Director of Retail Banking at AIB, said, “At AIB, we believe that when women in business thrive, our communities and our economy thrive with them. International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that progress happens when ambition is supported by access to finance, to networks and to opportunity. AIB plays a vital role in creating those connections, and we look forward to continuing to champion female entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainable growth across Ireland.”

Sarah Walker, Senior Executive, Enterprise Ireland, said, “Enterprise Ireland is focused on increasing the number of women who start, lead and grow businesses, and we are delighted to support Network Ireland in hosting this year’s International Women’s Day event. Through our investments and initiatives, including the Going for Growth, NextWave, WeBuild, WeGrow and WeScale Shared Island programmes, we aim to give women the skills, networks and funding routes they need to scale. When women succeed in business, the benefits are felt across communities and the wider economy.”

Established in 1983, Network Ireland supports more than 1,400 female entrepreneurs, SME owners and senior professionals across sectors ranging from multinational business to non-profits, the arts and the public sector. Visit networkireland.ie for more.

New Global Platform For Women Entrepreneurs To Tackle Gender Gap In Tech

“It’s no secret the odds are stacked against women starting tech companies. We’re tired waiting so we’re taking matters into our own hands”, that’s the message from Irish entrepreneur Máirín Murray who has developed a global platform to tackle the gap in female founded tech startups.

Co Down entrepreneur Máirín, founder of women‑in‑tech innovation company TechFoundHer, has announced the global launch of the TechFoundHer Collective, an online platform designed to accelerate women into tech entrepreneurship.

She explained the new membership programme will give women the practical support and backing to start, lead and scale tech companies, even if they have no coding background.

According to data commissioned by the Invest in Women Taskforce all-female founded businesses in Northern Ireland received just £2.5 million (2%) of the nation’s total equity funding in 2024, male teams received £93.7 million in investment which was nearly 80% of the total amount invested.

“We’re launching The Collective on National Women’s Enterprise Day because the numbers speak for themselves – the challenges are global – we all know about the approx 2% of VC funding going to women led enterprises but what’s needed is action” said Máirín.

Against that backdrop, The Collective is backed by a powerful network of global investors and tech leaders including Kelly Vero (CTO in Residence), Lata Setty (Global Investor in Residence), Naseem Sayani (VC in Residence), Wendy Ryan (Angel Investor in Residence), Rose Tighe (Product Innovator in Residence), Ntola Obazee (Chief Marketing Officer in Residence) and Aarthi Kumar (Chief Data & AI Strategist in Residence) among others.

“The gender stereotyping of what a tech founder looks like is real. Women innovating with tech are facing a multitude of challenges. From less funding and backers to fewer accelerator places” Dublin based entrepreneur, Máirín said, adding: “with higher barriers for women starting tech ventures we need new thinking and solutions.

“The TechFoundHer Collective is our answer, founder-led –  it’s a global network where women champion other women, share product and tech know-how and tap into investors who believe in them,” she explained.

Membership of the TechFoundHer Collective will give participants early access to tools, webinars and expert support and connect members with investors and industry champions.

Game industry icon Kelly Vero, the CTO in Residence for The Collective, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining TechFoundHer as CTO in Residence. I’ll be hosting Ask Me Anything sessions, this is a chance for members to ask me anything from building AI engines, designing games, creating clean tech stacks and surviving code chaos, to just staying sane while being the only woman in the room.”

TechFoundHer’s move comes as the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor reports a rise in women’s start‑up activity, up from 6.1% in the early 2000s to 10.4% in 2021‑23, yet still underscores the fact that women remain under‑represented in high‑growth tech sectors and leadership roles.

International investor and legal expert Lata Setty, Global Investor in Residence at The Collective said: “As Global Investor in Residence, thrilled to join the TechFoundHer Collective.

“Across the globe, women tech founders are crying out for a network that not only fuels innovation and collaboration, but also drives and measures progress.

“The TechFoundHer Collective delivers that momentum and so much more – helping founders move faster, build smarter, scale quicker and contribute to global impact.”

From community build-a-longs hosted by founders, to hands-on workshops using disruptive tools like Lovable and Replit, The Collective is redefining what it means to build a startup in 2025 and beyond.

Early adopter, entrepreneur Susie Kilcoyne who is the founder of loyalty platform Locket, said: “With the Collective, you’re not going solo. You’re building alongside a crew of founders who are all figuring it out together. That’s what makes it powerful.”

For more information or to join The Collective go to techfound-her.mn.co.

Download App on Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/techfoundher-collective/id6745909124

Download App on Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mightybell.techfoundher&hl=en

LinkedIn Data Shows 1 in 10 Jobs Allow Staff To Work From Home

Ireland continues to lead the way for flexible working according to new LinkedIn data published today, which saw the country ranked first for the availability of remote roles, with 9.1% of job postings on the platform in August. Ireland also ranked second in Europe for hybrid jobs, with 37% of jobs postings on LinkedIn categorised as hybrid working, closely behind the United Kingdom (39.3% share of all job postings.) Remote roles also remain some of the most competitive jobs on LinkedIn, making up 15.4% of job applications in EMEA, with Ireland seeing even greater level of demand at 20.1%.
Women faced with a ‘double edged sword’ as a result of flexible work
While flexible working has brought about many benefits for professionals in terms of work life balance, a new research paper published by LinkedIn has revealed that it also presents a double edged sword for women. LinkedIn international data shows that men consistently advance faster than women, with 10% of men promoted within 65 months, compared to 74 months for women.
The research revealed that this gap varies depending on flexible working, with on-site roles offering the fastest route for a promotion. Flexible arrangements reduce this gap, but only because progression slows for both men and women. On site roles saw 10% of men promoted within 64 months, with 10% of women achieving this within 68 months. Hybrid roles, however, saw delayed promotional opportunities, with men and women being promoted within 70 months and 72 months respectively. So while flexible work roles lead to greater parity between genders, staff based on site are promoted faster at the expense of slower progression for women.
Demand for AI talent continues to soar
LinkedIn’s data continues to highlight soaring demand for AI talent. AI engineering roles now represent nearly 7% of all technical job postings on LinkedIn – a 63% year-over-year increase. Demand is not limited to technical roles – knowing how to work with AI agents is the fastest-growing skill in 2025, and AI literacy capabilities such as prompt engineering have surged more than 70% in postings across fields like marketing and design.
Commenting on the latest data, LinkedIn Ireland Country Manager Cara O’Leary said: “Our data has consistently shown that Ireland continues to lead the way for remote and hybrid work opportunities, demonstrating how flexibility has become firmly established as a defining feature of our jobs market. Professionals are clearly embracing the benefits of choice in how and where they work, with Ireland seeing even stronger demand for remote roles than our European peers. This shows just how fundamental flexible working has become to attracting and retaining top talent, as employers continue to adapt to shifting expectations.”
“At the same time, our research highlights that flexible working is not without its challenges – particularly for women, who continue to face slower progression in the workplace. While hybrid arrangements help to narrow the gender promotion gap, they do so largely by slowing advancement for everyone. These findings underline the importance of companies being intentional about how they support career development in flexible environments, while also preparing for the next wave of change as AI reshapes roles and skills across industries.”

370,000 adults in Ireland have a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot

Pure Telecom, Ireland’s high-speed broadband and telecoms provider, today announces the results of its annual Connected Lives survey which reveals 370,000 adults in Ireland have engaged in a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within the last 12 months. The research indicates a growing interest in AI for romantic connections, with a further 12% of adults – almost half-a-million people – revealing they wouldn’t rule it out in the future.

The nationally representative survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Pure Telecom, surveying 1,001 adults in Ireland. The research examines the evolving relationship between humans and AI, in particular their personal relationships with chatbots such as ChatGPT or Gemini. As the lines between humans and technology become increasingly blurred, chatbots have opened the door for people to explore a new form of emotional connection.

Much like with human partners, AI ‘relationships’ are formed when an individual develops a sense of attachment to an AI chatbot through the sharing of daily experiences and engaging in deep conversations. The bot reciprocates this affection and can recall previous conversations, thus building a rapport and reinforcing the recipient’s perception of a relationship.

Pure Telecom’s research revealed that in the last 12 months, 13% of men have conducted a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot. This is almost double the 7% reported by women. Across age groups, the figure was highest among 25-34-year-olds at 16%.

The survey also indicated an openness among many to conduct a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot at some point in time. Almost half-a-million (12% of adults) wouldn’t rule out a relationship with an AI bot in the future. In keeping with this outlook, 20% believe romantic relationships with AI would be less complicated than humans ones. A further 10% maintain romantic relationships with AI are a good way to practice real life relationships. This belief is higher among men at 16% in comparison to women at just 6%.

The humanisation of chatbots doesn’t end there. Almost one in five (19%) of adults speak to AI like it’s a friend, while 36% admit to saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to their AI chatbot. Furthermore, 18% use it to research health symptoms and treatments, while one-in-10 use it as a form of therapy and to get life advice. The same proportion use it to prepare for difficult conversations, like a break-up or confrontation.

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “This research highlights the pivotal role that AI is beginning to play not just in our professional lives, but our personal ones also. As people and technology become increasingly integrated, and AI becomes progressively more advanced, adults in Ireland have found it to be an unexpected source of emotional connection. The recent AI boom means that these bots are now readily accessible to all of us – and there’s no agony of waiting around for a reply!

“While relationships with bots may seem unconventional, it underscores the remarkable capacity of artificial intelligence to foster connections as it becomes increasingly responsive to our needs. The use of these large language models (LLMs) requires fast, reliable internet access and as a provider of this, we at Pure Telecom are excited by the possibilities that AI unlocks. However, it is no replacement for the rewarding spontaneity and depth of human connection.”

Teen-Turn Launches 2025 Incubator in Galway

Last Saturday, teenage girls from across Ireland gathered at Portershed, a modern co-working hub in Galway’s city centre, for the launch of Teen-Turn’s 2025 Innovators programme, which is backed in part by BNY. The event marked the beginning of a year-long initiative designed to help participants turn promising afterschool projects into viable tech start-ups.

Each year, several Teen-Turn teams develop ideas with real commercial potential — projects that could be brought to market or at least developed into minimum viable products (MVPs). The Innovators programme supports these teams through incubator and accelerator phases. By offering expert mentorship and hands-on support, with guidance from industry and academic professionals, participants are taken through the early stages of the start-up process — from concept to MVP, and, in some cases, company formation.

“I’m really looking forward to this year’s Incubator and the opportunity to work with such a talented and driven group of young women,” said Iseult Mangan, Regional Manager for Teen-Turn. “It’s a privilege to be part of a programme that helps transform those ideas into real-world solutions with impact — empowering these girls to become founders, build sustainable companies, and contribute meaningfully to society.”

The projects in this year’s cohort are solving problems that are both personal and surprisingly universal — the kinds of ideas that don’t always come from the tech industry, but should. Examples include, from Shannon, Caoimhe, Chloe and Biella are building Focus Future, a platform to help families manage the day-to-day challenges of dementia care. From Claremorris, Ema and Simona are developing Evolve Era, an AI-powered health journal that helps track, analyse and potentially flag skin conditions before they escalate. Michaela (Galway), Orlaith (Mayo), and Flourish (Limerick) are behind Own It, an app designed to help girls and young women navigate menstrual health alongside their sporting and academic lives. And Laila (Longford) and Sofiia (Wicklow) are working on Sweet Health, a diabetes and sugar intake management app.

At the launch, the 2025 cohort had the chance to meet alumnae from previous years of Innovators — and get a glimpse of where their own projects might be headed next. Companies from the 2024 year group, who have graduated from the Incubator to the Accelerator phase, are now introducing to the market their tested MVPs. Donna Mae (Clare) and Dana (Mayo) created Gestura, a sign language learning and translation app. And Nora and Elizabeth, both from Galway, developed UNDump, an app encouraging the reuse and recycling of clothing and household items.

From the 2023 Innovators cohort, Mary Lillibeth, Katie and Aoibheann, all from Mayo, will now embark on the final programme phase of the Teen-Turn initiative, known as Vector. Vector groups benefit from PayPal supports. Their app, HerdSync, is a farm management tool designed to digitise how Irish farms are run. What started a couple of years ago as a Technovation project after school is now being adopted by target users.

At Saturday’s launch, the girls had the chance to work with mentors Joe Smyth, SVP of R&D, AI, Digital and Journey Management at Genesys and Co-founder of Altocloud, and Alice Shaughnessy, Clinical R&D Engineer at Luminate Medical and Co-founder of Mirr. Both entrepreneurs shared their own journeys to startup exits and offered guidance throughout the day. Providing young founders with the opportunity to meet people who have actually built something — those who have taken an idea and turned it into a real product, a real company — is a key part of the Innovators programme. “It wasn’t a huge event — just a small, focused group of teen girls and mentors in a hub — but it felt like the right space to start something meaningful,” said Laila Faissal, one of this year’s participants.

For those girls entering into the incubator phase, in particular, the day marked their first step into the business world not just as learners, but as creators and early-stage founders. With mentorship, peer support, and the backing of industry professionals, they’re developing skills — and products — that could shape Ireland’s future.  The work ahead of them won’t be easy. But the message is clear: they belong in the room — and they’re just getting started.

About Teen-Turn: Teen-Turn is an Irish non-profit organisation that provides teen girls, particularly those from underserved communities, the opportunity to gain hands-on STEM experience and the support to acquire qualifications and jobs. More information on their activities and the support they provide to girls is available at www.teen-turn.com.

Irish software research centre Lero to open doors for women to esports competitions

Research to determine if women have cognitive advantages that could help them become stars in the male-dominated esport sector, where players compete for more than €500 million in prize money annually, has been launched by Lero, Ireland’s Research Centre for Software, and University of Limerick.

Lero researchers at the bespoke Esports Science Research Lab—the first of its kind in Europe—have teamed up with Logitech, a designer of software-enabled hardware solutions. This collaboration aims to leverage Logitech’s expertise in hardware design and Lero’s research capabilities to establish elite women gamers’ cognitive and gaming abilities.

 Director of the Esport Science Research Lab and Co-Principal Investigator on the project, Professor Mark Campbell, said gaming is now a multi-billion-euro industry with professional gamers, coaches, and competitions viewed by audiences that compare in size with well-established major sporting events like the Superbowl, the golf majors, Wimbledon, and the Six Nations.

“Even though esports don’t require as much physical effort as traditional sports, there is a dichotomy whereby men feature much more prominently than women at the highest levels of play. Yet most of the video gaming and esports research to date predominantly tests male participants, which means we know little to nothing about elite women gamers’ cognitive and gaming performance.”

Dr Adam Toth, Principal Investigator on the project, added: “This project will continue to grow the capabilities and expertise within the Lero Esports Science Research Lab, utilising bespoke experimental techniques, expert investigators, and high-level processing and analysis tools to identify the attributes of elite women gamers and how we can enhance women’s performance and experience in gaming.”

Dr Toth said the goal of this project is to extend collaborative work between Lero and Logitech in esports and break new ground by investigating the cognitive and gaming performance of elite women gamers.

“We will do this by using bespoke hardware and software to capture behavioural, physiological and performance data during professional and amateur gamers’ training and play sessions to highlight any significant cognitive differences between male and female gamers. This data primarily will come from the differing instrumentation of games/gaming devices, and processing and analysis techniques will be employed to assess the cognitive and in-game similarities and differences of elite women gamers compared to their male counterparts,” he added.

The two-year project at the University of Limerick, which will cost close to €120,000, builds on a successful eight-year collaboration between UL and Logitech and will enhance the capabilities and status of the Esports Science Research Lab at the University of Limerick.

Maxcom launches Bijouwatch collection in the UK

Maxcom, an innovative Polish company producing and distributing consumer electronics, today launches its Bijouwatch collection in the UK, a new range of elegant and fashionable jewellery smartwatches, that seamlessly blend the latest technology with high-quality materials and sophisticated design.  

The Bijouwatch collection from Maxcom is designed for those who value both style and functionality. For women, the range includes the Maxcom Selen and Maxcom Gold and Silver 2. Reminiscent of traditional, elegant jewellery with eye catching gold, rose gold and silver bracelets, these stunning smartwatches are perfect for any occasion and every taste.

For men, Maxcom has created a range of attractive watches that are packed full of smart features. Perfect for work or working out, the Maxcom Iron S features a rectangular screen and striking black, gold or silver metal strap whilst the robust Maxcom Iron R has a sleek black design and stainless steel band. The unisex Maxcom Vanad Pro combines advanced tech features with a jewellry design and is available in rose gold and black editions.

All smartwatches within the Bijouwatch collection have a focus on wellbeing, monitoring physical activity and vital functions such as sleep, heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, female health tracking features allow women to track their menstrual cycles, fertile periods and even pregnancy. Helping to take fitness to the next level, multiple sports modes allow users to record and analyse their daily activity. 

Compatible with iOS and Android the Bijouwatch smartwatches seamlessly connect to a user’s smartphone for call notifications, messages, weather updates and more. Additionally, Maxcom has ensured Bijouwatch smartwatches have long battery lives of up to 21 days, keeping users connected at all times. 

Bijouwatch, a term created and patented by Maxcom, represents the fusion of fashion and advanced technology. Affordable with prices starting from £59.99, models within the collection include: 

Maxcom Gold and Silver 2  

RRP: £79.99 

Available in gold and silver from Amazon

With similar features to the Selen, the Maxcom Gold and Maxcom Silver smartwatches combine a classic look with advanced technology. Designed to look and feel like a stunning piece of jewellery, its round stainless steel body and shiny gold or silver bracelet accessorise any outfit perfectly. 

The 1.2-inch AMOLED touch screen is bright and easy to read. Always-On-Display mode allows users to display the time on a blank screen, giving it the feel of a traditional watch. Users can choose from unique, original dials or from over 100 free watch faces that are available in the app.

They seamlessly connect to a user’s smartphone for call notifications, messages, weather updates and more. Additionally, its efficient battery lasts for up to seven days without charging. 

Health and fitness is also a focus for the Gold and Silver 2 with lots of features to benefit a user’s wellbeing. As well as continuously measuring pulse and blood pressure, the smartwatch motivates users to engage in daily activity, analyses sleep quality, suggests breathing exercises, measures stress and mood and sends reminders to stay hydrated. Dedicated female focussed features allow women to track their menstrual cycle, fertile periods and pregnancy. A versatile fitness trainer, it also counts calories burned, distance travelled and supports over 70 sports disciplines, allowing users to track their progress over time and achieve their goals.  

 

Maxcom Vanad Pro

RRP: £59.99 

Available from Amazon in rose gold and black

The Maxcom Vanad Pro is a stylish and elegant jewellery smartwatch which combines the highest quality materials with advanced functions. Available in gold or black, it has that classic clock face look but with a modern twist thanks to its AMOLED screen, which provides users with a beautiful high definition display. Users can display the time in analogue or digital or choose from a whole range of dials and vibrant designs to suit their personal style. 

With a slim, timeless design, Vanad Pro sits comfortably on the wrist without interfering with daily activities. It comes with a minimalist metal bracelet strap as well as a silicone strap making it perfect for a special occasion, work or working out. Compatible with iOS and Android, users can answer calls, read messages, set alarms and more without having to touch their phone. It has an exceptionally long battery life of up to 21 days as well as fast, inductive charging. 

With a focus on wellness, the Vanad Pro enables users to track their daily activity and achievements. It has more than 20 sports modes, counts steps, calories burned and monitors blood pressure and heartrate. Modern optical sensors detect any physical activity based on an accelerated heart rate and these moments are automatically recorded in the daily report. An easy-to-use application allows users to compare and analyse their results. 

The Vanad Pro also allows users to monitor their sleep, analysing quality including the duration of deep and light phases. Additionally, it has many innovative features specifically designed for women including a women’s health monitor, menstrual cycle monitor, pregnancy preparation and pregnancy calendar.  

 

Maxcom Selen 

Coming to Amazon in gold and silver soon

Combining style and technology, the Selen offers an ultra-thin profile and classic round shape. The perfect choice for smaller wrists, this jewellery like smartwatch is made from stainless steel with a shimmering rose gold or silver bracelet. Users can choose from exclusive, designer watch faces that can be changed according to an outfit, occasion or mood. Ranging from digital to analogue, colourful to subdued, there are over 100 designs in the dedicated app, allowing users to express their individual style and personality. 

The Selen features a large 1.32-inch AMOLED touchscreen which is sharp and clear with vibrant colours. It’s Always-On-Display (AOD) mode prevents the screen going dark meaning users can quickly check the time or see notifications at a glance. 

With a focus on wellbeing, the Selen reminds users to drink water, alerts them if they’ve taken too few steps and analyses their sleep. Additionally, it monitors heart rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure, notifying users when results deviate from the norm. For those who like to keep active, the Selen supports over 70 sports, counting calories burned and motivating users to achieve better results. 

Offering up to 10 days of battery life and connecting seamlessly to smartphones, making and taking calls directly from the watch as well as reading messages and app notifications is easy. The Selen displays the weather, allows users to listen to music and has a host of other features.

 

Maxcom Iron R 

RRP: £89.99

Available from Amazon

Designed to straddle both business and adventure the Maxcom Iron R smartwatch has everything needed to support working life, while maintaining good health. Constructed from robust zinc alloy with a luxury-traditional appearance, it comes with both a steel bracelet and a premium quality magnetic silicone strap to fit perfectly on a larger wrist. 

Equipped with a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen, Iron R offers vivid colours and exceptional image depth. For those who appreciate classic style, Iron R offers a traditional watch face with the option to choose between analogue and digital screens. Alternatively, a database of over 100 free watch faces and the ability to set an image from the phone gallery lets users express their style and personality. 

The Iron R is packed with smartwatch features allowing users to set reminders, alarms and quickly respond to messages and calls or social media notifications without reaching for their phone.  

The advanced health features offer constant heart rate, blood oxygen and blood pressure monitoring, sleep analysis and sports tracking that has over 70 modes for recording workouts and monitoring progress over time, thanks to an intuitive app. Fast charging and a generous battery yields 14 days of life from one charge. 

 

Maxcom Iron S

RRP: £89.99

Available from Amazon in black, silver and gold

The Maxcom Iron S smartwatch has very similar features to the Maxcom Iron R, yet its classy, traditional design makes it more suited for a business environment or for adding character to casual styles. Made from elegant brushed steel and available in black, gold and silver, the Iron S has a rectangular face with soft rounded corners which gives it a stylish, timeless look. 

Blending tradition with modern technology, it has a 1.95-inch AMOLED screen providing users with an immersive, vibrant display. With an always-on display option, users can check the time without activating the screen, choosing between analogue or digital watch faces. Alternatively, they can choose from the hundreds of designs or upload their own image to give the smartwatch a unique character. 

As with the Iron R, this smartwatch serves as a personal assistant, helping users manage daily tasks, set reminders, alarms and quickly respond to messages and calls. It also has 24/7 health monitoring, over 70 sports modes and sleep analysis. Fast charging and the long-lasting performance of a 340mAh battery allow up to 16 days of use with one charge. 

Available now from Amazon.co.uk.

See our smartwatch reviews

The eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards rewards and celebrates Irish female entrepreneurs

The fourth eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards launched with an inspiring networking event in eir’s HQ in Dublin, ahead of the awards which will take place on the 8th of November in the 5-star Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel.

The event aims to shine a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of Irish female entrepreneurs, with over 110 women nominated across 12 diverse categories. The awards will also feature a special honour: the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, celebrating one standout leader in Irish business.

The launch brought together nominees, guests, and industry leaders for an engaging and informative panel discussion, moderated by Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business, and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing. Former award winners Helen Steele, Jennifer Rock, and Fiona Parfrey shared their experiences, offering advice on what it takes to succeed as a female entrepreneur in today’s competitive landscape.

Winners will be decided upon by a panel of judges made up of Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business; Lily O’Donoghue, eir’s SMB director; Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of Entrepreneur of the Year; Ruth O’Connor, journalist; Kathryn Thomas, broadcaster and businesswoman; Rebecca Brady, Commercial & Events Director of VIP Publishing; and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of VIP magazine.

The awards will see the return of eir as title sponsors for the third year, supported by a prestigious group of Irish and international category sponsors including Very, Weir & Sons, Suir Engineering, Kérastase, Boots, Dr Hauschka, AYA supplements, Uniphar, Penneys, Lindt and Tanqueray Gin.

 

Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award said: ““I am thrilled to be on the judging panel for this year’s eir VIP Publishing Power of Woman awards. To have won entrepreneur of the year in 2023 was such an honour. Awards like these are a great boost for women in business. A reminder to celebrate ourselves & others. I look forward to meeting more like minded, inspiring women at this year’s awards’’.

VIP Publishing’s Commercial & Events Director Rebecca Brady said: “VIP Publishing are thrilled to partner with eir and all of our fantastic sponsors to bring you the 4th annual Power of Women Awards. We  are delighted to see Irish and international businesses join forces to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ireland’s most remarkable female entrepreneurs. Women are the driving force behind all that we do at VIP Publishing and we are proud to provide a platform that highlights the passion and perseverance of Irish female entrepreneurs. We look forward to celebrating their achievements once again this year.’’

Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir Consumer and Small Business expressed her pride in hosting the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women nominee announcement at eir’s headquarters: “We are honoured to return as the title sponsor of the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of female entrepreneurs and business leaders across Ireland. These women are not only driving innovation and economic growth, but they are also creating lasting positive change in society.

At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland, and our role in supporting small businesses – by providing the connectivity and solutions they need to grow and thrive – directly aligns with the spirit of these awards. By shining a light on the incredible contributions of female business leaders, we hope to inspire the next generation of women to lead with innovation, create stronger communities, and build a more inclusive future for all.”

Categories are as follows:

Digital & Tech – Sponsored by eir

Máirín Murray and Vicky Twomey-Lee (TechFoundHer)

Rena Maycock (Chirp)

Tammy Darcy (Shona Project)

Clare McSweeney (KuulPlay)

Niamh Donnelly (Akara Robotics)

Anna Carmody (Little Red Edu)

Rosanne Longmore (Coroflo)

Deirdre Lyons (Examifly)

Fashion Retail – Sponsored by Lindt

Emma Manley (Manley)

Lucy Nagle (Lucy Nagle)

Faye Rochford (FéRí)

Laura Weber (LW Pearl)

Aoife McNamara (Aoife McNamara)

Rosie Connolly (4th Arq)

Fiona Heaney (FeeG)

Lisa McGowan (Lisa & Co)

Beauty Industry – Sponsored by Uniphar

Linda Stintson (Bellamianta)

Kerry Hanaphy (Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic)

Liz Dwyer & Nikki Dwyer (Future of Beauty)

Dr Emma Cunningham (Dr Emma Skincare)

Vanessa Gomez (Essences Day Spa)

Agnes Rafal (HOMEface yoga by agnes)

Anna Forde (Haumea)

Noelle O’Connor( TanOrganic and VeganTan)

Hair Care – Sponsored by Kérastase

Denise Phillips (PELO/Voduz)

Anita Donohue (Annutri)

Claire Balding /Fullam (Remi)

Nancy Cavanagh (Belle Hair Extensions)

Helen Reavey (Act+Acre)

Stephanie Nwambu (Callah Crowns)

Aine Kennedy (Smooth Stick)

Mairead Ronan (Faro)

Cosmetics & Skin Care – Sponsored by Boots

Charlene Flanagan & Niamh Ryan (Ella & Jo)

Niamh Hogan (Holos Skincare)

Dr. Helena McMahon (Seabody)

Una McGurk (Seoulista Beauty)

Sonia Deasy (Pestle & Mortar)

Susie O’Neill (AYU Cosmetics)

Geraldine Jones (Skin Formulas)

Michelle Regazzoli Stone (MRS Glam)

Communications

Valerie Roe (Valerie Roe PR)

Rebecca Burrell (Burrell Marketing and Publicity)

Hannah Saunders (Hannah Saunders PR)

Sonia Harris (Harris PR)

Lindsey Holmes (Lindsey Holmes Publicity)

Rachel Sherry (Sherry Communications)

Tara O’Connor (Tara O’Connor Consulting)

Kerryann Conway (The Hive Agency)

Creative – Sponsored by Dr. Hauschka

Audrey Hamilton (Audrey Hamilton Art)

Orla de Brí (Orla de Brí)

Ciara & Rachel Howard (Howrad Studios)

Jenny McCarthy (By Jenny McCarthy)

Clíodhna Doherty (Clíodhna Doherty Art)

Heather Condren (Flowerpop)

Jenny Buckley & Carol Gunner (Tamber Media)

Deirdre Young & Sinead Bailey Kelly (H&G Creations)

Lifestyle – Sponsored by VERY

Una Leonard (2210 Patisserie)

Lucy Hagerty (La Bougie)

Portia Quinn & Robin Thompson (Harley & Marley)

Natasha Rocca Devine (NRD Designs)

Adrienne Heslin (West Kerry Brewery)

Laura Bonner (Muff Liquor Company)

Sadie Chowen (Burren Perfumery)

Barikisu Ali Telfer (Sahara.ie)

New Founder – Sponsored by Weir & Sons

Suzy Griffin (Hildun Beauty)

Ngozi Elobuike (Hi Spirits Wine Club)

Olivia Humphries (Athena)

Destiny Ayo Vaughan (Mind The Gap)

Evie and Eliza Ward (NutShed)

Ellie Haughney (Anam Cosmetics)

Shona Mahon (Speedy Lash / Wink With Mink)

Susan Fox & Carly Colgan (Ealu)

Wellness – Sponsored by AYA 

Kylie O’Donoghue (FemFuelz )

Laura Dowling (fabÜ)

Orla Hopkins (New Dimensions Active)

Audrey O’Connor (CoreState)

Kira Walton (Voya)

Maura Rath (Yoga with Maura)

Gráinne Byrne (Norma)

Shawna Scott (Sex Siopa)

Sustainability – Sponsored by Suir Engineering

Nicky & Ella Dwyer (Drobey)

Ella de Guzman (Siopaella)

Sarah Fliessbach (Share Club)

Fiona Fahy (Feed Me Mother)

Jess Dollinger (The Good Neighbour)

Aisling Cullen (Thanks Plants)

Nicola Connelly (Nunaïa)

Fran Fogarty (Lily Mais)

Accesories

Julie Peelo (Peelo)

Lyndsey Cavanagh (One Dame Lane)

Lisa Ruttledge (Fabulisa)

Sallyann Concannon (Mettle & Bloom)

Suzanne Jackson, Terrie McEvoy & Siobhan Murray (MANTRA Official)

Nicki Hoyne (Nicki Hoyne)

Margaret Urbanowicz (Sómas)

Megan Nolan (MNW Design)

 

 

EA SPORTS FC ANNOUNCE NEW SPONSORSHIP OF UEFA’S WOMEN IN FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Today, in celebration of Women’s History Month, EA SPORTS FC announced a new sponsorship deal with long-standing partners UEFA, to become title partners of their Women In Football Leadership Programme (WFLP).

Now in its tenth year, the WFLP is an annual week-long programme, supported by the IMD Business School, aimed at advancing the careers of women capable of influencing the football industry, both today and in the future. The programme has been running since 2014, benefitting over 240 women so far.

This year’s programme, in partnership with EA SPORTS FC, will take place in August at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, supporting over 30 women from across the football industry, with candidates selected based on their future potential in the world of football. Involving key-note speeches from existing leaders in the industry, a variety of group training sessions, as well as one-on-one-coaching, the WFLP is designed to improve leadership skills, encourage networking and build self-confidence in order for the participants to achieve their full potential.

Andrea Hopelain, GM & SVP of Publishing at EA SPORTS says: “Women’s History Month is all about celebrating the achievements of women and what better way for us to do this than partner with UEFA to support this fantastic programme. In line with this year’s Women’s History Month theme of inspiring inclusion, we’re really proud to be paving the path for women within our organization and the wider industry to become leaders in the world of football.”

Thomas Junod, Head of the UEFA Academy adds: “We are thrilled to welcome EA SPORTS FC as the new presenting partner for our well-established UEFA Women in Football Leadership Programme. This unparalleled initiative champions the advancement of women poised to shape the future of football, offering a dynamic platform for exchange, networking, and empowerment. The inclusion of participants from EA SPORTS will inject fresh, innovative ideas and perspectives into our conversations.”

This programme sponsorship builds on multiple commitments from EA SPORTS FC to champion women in football, following on from the EA SPORTS Women’s Football Summit in 2022, at which a number of initiatives were announced, as well as this year’s addition of women into Ultimate Team™ in EA SPORTS FC 24.

Further details on this year’s programme will be announced via our EA SPORTS LinkedIn channel and on the UEFA Academy website.