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Ireland's first all-island summit for women who founded their own businesses takes place in Co Fermanagh on May 20th-21st. 'SheVentures' will pull together over 200 women founders, investors, entrepreneurs, and their supporters in Ireland, say Awaken Hub, the organisers of the event.
The summit offers "unparalleled access to inspiring Irish and international women leaders, including some who have never spoken at an Irish event before," says Awaken Hub chairperson, Mary McKenna. Speakers include Silicon Valley's Ann Hiatt who worked directly for Amazon's Jeff Bezos; Lorna Conn, CEO of Cpl, and entrepreneurs' champion; and Samantha Barry, Global Editorial Director for the Americas at Glamour magazine.
Women Founders Summit
Mary McKenna says SheVentures offers an "opportunity to hang-out with your tribe of women founders and investors in a friendly and informal setting for a couple of days. But get yourself investor-ready," she advises. "You might even bag an angel investor or two!"
The summit is being held in the breathtaking and cosy location of Lusty Beg Island, Fermanagh. Sponsored cabins on the premises will offer Master Classes and discussions on challenging themes like Investment, Sustainability, US Market Entry, Sales, Storytelling and Marketing, and Commercialisation. McKenna says these are an ideal chance to learn from experts at first hand.
"She Ventures is not just about offering great speakers. It's about giving participants access to these speakers and experts for informal chats and discussions throughout the two days. It's also about extending women founders' networks of key players, contacts, and investors as they grow their business."
The summit is being supported and sponsored by the Shared Island Initiative. Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he was delighted that the Shared Island Civic Society Fund has been able to support the work of Awaken Hub and the SheVentures summit. "The Shared Island Civic Society Fund aims to promote practical cooperation and interaction in civic society on this island and the SheVentures summit is a stellar example of the Fund supporting people to come together and make real connections."
The 2-day event is being MC'd by BBC and TG4 presenter Lynette Fay, and other contributors lined up to take part include the Positive Economist Susan Hayes Culleton, and US and global expert on women's access to networks and Venture Capital, Kelly Hoey.
There's accommodation on and off the island and boat/bus transport to shuttle participants back and forth. The summit starts at 9AM on Monday 20th, closing at 4PM on Tuesday 21st. You can book tickets online at: http://sheventures.co.uk
About AwakenHub
Founded in 2020, AwakenHub is a social enterprise dedicated to removing barriers for women founders across the island of Ireland. Its mission is to level up opportunity, access, and connectivity for women founders throughout the Island of Ireland by removing barriers to investment, scale and success and is backed by a community of over 3,000 subscribers.
About AwakenAngels
Launched in 2023, is the first investor syndicate on the island tailored for women, aiming to democratise angel investing.
Highlights of activity first quarter of 2024
AwakenHub/ AwakenAngels hosted their 2nd US St Brigid's Week Trade Mission to NYC & Boston in Feb 2024 specially supported by US Special Envoy to NI, Joe Kennedy III & the Irish & British Consulates
Invited and showcased at the week-long events as part of the NI/Irish delegation to Washington Dec in 11-18 March 2024
As part of a consortium bid secured EU core consortium partner, we launched the Women TechEU Call - a €12m Fund for women-led startups in Deep Tech & a call for deep tech experts as EU evaluators
In partnership with Global Tech Advocates launched Tech Northern Ireland Advocates and collaborating with Tech Ireland advocates
Within 9 months of our AwakenAngels syndicate we have onboarded 50 new women angels across the island of Ireland and counting and clos

Governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a formal partnership between Empire State Development, Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC) and Furthr, to grow entrepreneurship and innovation opportunities between businesses in New York and Ireland.
The announcement of the new partnership follows a visit to Dublin last week undertaken by Governor Hochul with meetings taking place with Furthr, a founding partner and the managing partner of the Guinness Enterprise Centre.
The partnership, formalised in a MOU signed on Friday by Governor Hochul, recognises the entities' shared interest in collaborating on key technology and industry sectors and dedicates resources to creating innovative entrepreneurship opportunities in both New York and in Ireland.
"While New York State and Ireland are geographically an ocean apart, we are united in the belief that we are stronger through the sharing of ideas and fostering innovation," Governor Hochul said. "This agreement between New York, the Guinness Enterprise Centre and Furthr, offers real opportunities and the potential for growth for Start-Ups in both economies and will build on our mutual strengths to advance the state's innovation economy."
The MOU formalises a relationship between Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), the Guinness Enterprise Centre, and Furthr to accelerate technology-based commercialisation initiatives and spur economic activity.
Commenting on the MOU signed between the respective parties, Martin Murray, CEO at Furthr said: "Under the agreement, each of the entities will make resources available to accelerate connections between New York and Ireland; share technical information, data, and analytics to inform best practices; and engage in outreach activities with other industry, government, and academic leaders to strengthen the partnership.
Today's announcement really opens up a world of exciting opportunities for our Irish client companies to accelerate their growth directly into the US East Coast tech corridor while providing New York start-ups with a supportive landing location and ecosystem in Ireland."
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Teaming up with the GEC and Furthr allows us all to share ideas and tap into a wide array of resources and expertise that will unleash unlimited potential for our entrepreneurs and startups on both sides of the Atlantic. This collaboration will foster innovative ideas to grow key segments of our economy."
The Guinness Enterprise Centre is Ireland's home for entrepreneurs, housing more than 150 companies representing a range of industries from medtech to digital gaming. The GEC's mission is to empower entrepreneurs to take on local or global markets. Through the GEC, New York-based companies will have an avenue to plug into the Ireland ecosystems and markets, including access to physical space, peer and mentorship networks, academic institutions, and market entry.
At over 95,000 square feet in Dublin City Centre, the Guinness Centre supports founders by providing an ecosystem of supports and services, including access to international markets. The GEC is supported in this mission by Furthr whose objective is to provide game-changing impacts to founders through events, mentorship, accelerators, and access to funding.
This partnership builds on the work of NYSTAR, which plays a critical role in spurring technology-based applied research and economic development in New York State; promoting national and international research collaboration and innovation; and leveraging New York's research expertise and funding with investments from the federal government, foundations, businesses, venture capital firms and other entities.
NYSTAR will be able provide Irish start-up technology companies with physical space; access to capital; coaching; mentoring; networking connections; prototype development; and ac

SSE Airtricity has launched a €5 million all-island Community Fund today, with the aim of delivering meaningful community benefits across the island of Ireland. The company plans to undertake a ten week consultation process, which opens today, and which will continue until 26 July, inviting views from communities, individuals and organisations from towns, villages, inner cities, and rural heartlands, to advise how the fund could best support green initiatives throughout our communities.
The SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community fund is part of SSE Airtricity's commitment to customers and the communities it serves by supporting them on the path to net zero through education, awareness raising, as well as grant funding and energy efficiency supports. The fund aims to support communities in reaching net zero by delivering a positive and lasting social impact.
Heather Humphreys T.D., Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development, said: "I am delighted that SSE Airtricity has officially launched its €5 million Green Generation Community Fund. This is a transformative level of funding that will make a real and lasting difference in rural and urban communities.
It's pleasing to see SSE Airtricity acknowledge the integral role that local communities the length and breadth of Ireland will play in the transition to Net Zero through the launch of its community fund and consultation process today.
"This new fund will support local communities across Ireland with biodiversity, education, and decarbonisation projects, along with enhancing services and amenities in rural and urban areas.
I would encourage local communities and organisations to positively engage with SSE Airtricity and its Green Generation Community Fund during the consultation phase."
Klair Neenan, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, said: "Getting to net zero is in everyone's interest and local communities will be at the heart of the energy transition. We know there are passionate people and groups working hard across Ireland and we want to help them make a positive difference by powering up their sustainability plans. But funding can often be an issue. That's why we're delighted to launch our unique Generation Green Community Fund.
"We know issues like biodiversity, education and decarbonisation are big priorities but to ensure the funding makes the biggest difference we want to hear from local communities directly. That's why we're launching this initial consultation, and we look forward to hearing from communities and individuals, to inform how the fund should be used."
As part of the consultation process, SSE Airtricity is inviting local communities and individuals to shape what the priorities for the fund should be. This will ensure the fund focuses on what is most important to communities. Examples of priorities may include green energy upgrades for community buildings, community biodiversity projects or green skills workshops and education.
The SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund will be administered in line with a number of UN Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with SSE Airtricity's core sustainability priorities around community, biodiversity, education and decarbonisation.
The company has a long-standing commitment of supporting its customers and community groups. In response to the global energy crisis in 2022 and 2023, SSE Airtricity established a €25 million customer support fund to help its customers deal with the impacts of inflation.
The SSE Airtricity Generation Green Community Fund will be open to application later this year, following the initial consultation period.
To submit your views to the consultation or for more information, please visit www.sseairtricity.com/communityfund.

In a ground-breaking study, researchers from Trinity College Dublin have unveiled that myriad and intricate factors influence the genesis and chemistry of bastnäsite and rare earth carbonates, which are critically needed for today's tech industry and its hardware outputs.
Their work, published today in the international journal Global Challenges, unveils a newly acquired depth of understanding that had previously been unexplored in this field. In combination, the findings mark a significant advancement and promise to reshape our understanding of rare earth mineral formation.
Crucially, as global demand for rare earth elements continues to rise - largely to satisfy the growing demand for the mobile phones, batteries and speakers in which they are put to work - insights from this research could have far-reaching implications and various industrial and environmental applications.
What have the researchers found?
Contrary to prior assumptions, the new research reveals that the formation of bastnäsite - the top rare earth mineral exploited by industry - is not a straightforward process but instead one driven by a very complex interplay of multiple factors.
The experimental approach involved studying the interaction between solutions containing multiple rare earth elements and common calcium-magnesium carbonate minerals like calcite, aragonite and dolomite (which are ubiquitous in nature) under hydrothermal conditions ranging from 21 to 210 °C. The team tested two solution types: one with equal rare earth concentrations and another one simulating concentrations more typical of the usual hydrothermal fluids found on Earth.
The findings show that when the common calcium-magnesium carbonate minerals react with rare earth-rich fluids, they change their structures and chemical compositions, forming a series of rare earth-bearing minerals with exotic names like lanthanite, kozoite, bastnasite and cerianite, with very complex chemistries, shapes and textures.
Particularly interesting is that different solution types lead to distinct outcomes: For example, equal-concentration solutions promote kozoite and bastnasite crystallisation, maintaining similar rare earths ratios in solids and solutions.
Conversely, hydrothermal fluids mimicking the ones found on Earth result in rare earth-bearing minerals with varied elemental distributions - and some of these even go through decarbonation processes due to the formation of rare earth oxides.
Ultimately, the experiments showcase the extremely dynamic nature of rare earths mineral formation, with unstable minerals transforming into more stable ones over time, and sometimes developing textures impacted by adjacent mineral reactions that further underscore the complexity of the process.
What are the potential implications?
The implications of this research extend far beyond the laboratory. Understanding the complex processes involved in bastnäsite formation has profound implications for geologists and industry alike. The research demonstrates that the development of advanced simulation models is strongly needed, allowing scientists to replicate natural conditions and explore alternative methods for mineral extraction or synthesis.
While challenges remain, the insights from this study open the door for new experimental protocols to understand the fate of rare earth elements in complex geological ores where they concentrate.
Melanie Maddin, PhD researcher in Geology in Trinity's School of Natural Sciences, is the lead author of this study. She said: "These findings challenge the models previously applied to rare earth mineral formation. Our research highlights the dependence of crystallisation pathways, mineral formation kinetics, and chemical texture on a myriad of factors, including rare earth concentrations, ionic radii, temperature, time, and host grain solubility."
Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco, Principal Investigator of the research group and Professor in Trinity's School of Natural Sciences,

Are you out of contract or looking for a better deal for your mobile phone? If so, there are some great SIM Only deals available in Ireland right now with huge savings to be made over long contract plans.
We've teamed up with Switcher.ie, the free and impartial price comparison and switching service, to find the best SIM Only deals available every month.
Check back regularly to stay informed of the latest deals and offers, and visit the Switcher.ie website to order one of these great packages.
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A prepay SIM-only deal is a good alternative to bill pay if you already own a phone and need lots of data but don't want to commit to a regular bill. 48 offers a flexible option with their SIM-Only prepay plan, offering all calls, texts and data for only €12.99 per month. You'll also get 4G roaming in UK & EU of up to 14Gb. Plus, sign up before May 31st and get your second month free!
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(If you've come across this article after some of these deals may have expired, check out our main SIM Only category page to find the latest offers)

This week, I'm joined by guest co-host Mai Santamaria, the head of the financial advisory unit for the Department of Finance in Ireland. We delve into the world of digital identity, discussing the projects of World ID and TON, iris and palm scanning, and how humans are incentivized to digitalize their identity. Mai and I explore the broader implications of digital identity on economic freedoms and the geopolitical landscape that influences the sovereignty of digital infrastructure.
Additionally, we touch upon the impact of digital identity in securing basic human rights and the potential shifts towards universal basic income facilitated by emerging technologies. The discussion also includes insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by decentralization, the significance of maintaining digital infrastructure sovereignty, and the ongoing regulatory hurdles faced by companies at the intersection of finance and technology.
TIMESTAMPS:
02:54 The Evolution and Impact of Digital Identity Technologies
03:31 World ID, TON and Digital Identity: A Closer Look
08:45 Exploring the Future of Universal Basic Income and Digital Identity
14:07 The Ethical and Practical Implications of Digital Identity Verification
15:57 Reflecting on the Broader Implications of Digital Identity and Personhood
20:34 Exploring Mobile Wallet Security and User Comfort
21:26 Revolutionizing SIM Technology with eSIMs and Wallet Integration
23:10 The Future of Identity: From Physical to Digital
24:29 Digital Infrastructure and Sovereignty: A European Perspective
30:01 Innovations in Mapping and the Importance of Open Infrastructure
35:03 Navigating Regulatory Challenges in the Crypto Space
36:58 Optimism for the Future of Digital Identity and Infrastructure
Mai originally featured on episode 5 of MoneyNeverSleeps back in 2018, she made a cameo on our 200th episode, and she's a Techstars mentor. Two of the episodes that I did with Mai recently, episode 241 on the crossover of blockchain and AI and episode 247 on the crossover of blockchain and digital identity, have been very popular with our most loyal listeners, so make sure you check those out.
STORIES COVERED:
Worldcoin tightens privacy checks, allows users to unverify World ID (9-Apr-24, Cointelegraph)
TON's $5M incentive program aims to drive digital ID verification (Cointelegraph, 8-Apr-24)
Two new satellites join the Galileo constellation (ESA, 29-Apr-24)
SEC issues Robinhood Crypto with Wells Notice, citing alleged securities violations (The Block, 6-May-24)
LINKS:
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