Study Reveals: The Best Counties for Female Entrepreneurs
Are you an aspiring female entrepreneur? Ireland is a great place to start! According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, Ireland has Europe’s third-highest rate of female entrepreneurs. Female-led businesses also play a major role in the economy, contributing an estimated €6 billion annually.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, we conducted a study to find out which counties have the most female entrepreneurs. By analysing the number of female founders on LinkedIn and county populations, we narrowed down the counties leading the charge for women in business.
Best counties for female entrepreneurs:
The top five counties in Ireland with the highest number of female entrepreneurs:
- Cork
- Dublin
- Galway
- Wicklow
- Kildare
Cork takes the top spot with 360 female entrepreneurs, making it a popular location for business owners, including successful companies like The Good Dairy Company. The city offers valuable support programs, such as the Exxcel programme, which helps women entrepreneurs explore and develop their business ideas. With a population of 584,156, Cork has 62 female entrepreneurs for every 100,000 people. Its welcoming atmosphere and strong community support create an environment where female entrepreneurs can truly thrive.
Dublin ranks second with 303 female founders and a large population of 1,458,154 and remains the business hub of the country. It’s the base for well-known brands like Sculpted by Aimee and Atlantic Bridge. While it has a lower concentration of female entrepreneurs per capita (21 per 100,000 people), Dublin still offers a wealth of resources, including coworking spaces, networking events, and access to investors, making it an attractive spot for female entrepreneurs.
Galway ranks third with 161 female founders and a population of 277,737. It has a much higher concentration of female entrepreneurs, with 58 per 100,000 people. Galway is known for its growing tech and arts industries, making it a popular place for female-led businesses. The city offers strong community programs like The Women in Business Network, creating a supportive environment where women can bring their dreams to life.
Taking the fourth and fifth spots are Wicklow and Kildare. Wicklow has 133 female founders and a population of 155,851, with the highest concentration of female entrepreneurs in Ireland (85 for every 100,000 people). Wicklow is a great place for women to grow their businesses while enjoying a good work-life balance. Kildare, with 132 female founders and a population of 247,774, has 53 female entrepreneurs per 100,000 people. Being close to Dublin gives women access to its resources while still enjoying a quieter place to grow their businesses.
Counties with the fewest female entrepreneurs:
The counties with the fewest female entrepreneurs are Carlow, Cavan, Roscommon, Longford, and Leitrim.
Carlow has 23 female founders and a population of 61,968, giving it a rate of 37 female entrepreneurs per 100,000 people. The highest among the lowest-ranked counties. Cavan and Roscommon both have 21 female entrepreneurs per 100,000 people, with 17 and 15 female founders, respectively. Longford, with 12 female founders, has a slightly higher rate at 26 per 100,000 people. Leitrim ranks the lowest, with just 6 female founders and 17 per 100,000 people.
There are several possible reasons for the lower numbers in these counties. Many of these areas have smaller populations and fewer business hubs, which can make it harder for female entrepreneurs to find resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
This study shows that more women in Ireland are starting their businesses, especially in counties like Cork, Dublin, and Galway. Some counties have fewer female entrepreneurs, but there is room for growth. With more support, funding, and networking opportunities, more women across Ireland can start and grow successful businesses. At Procure.ie, we help businesses find the best energy suppliers to save money. Whether you’re starting a new business or already running one, having the right support is important. With Procure.ie, you can save up to 55% on your business electricity and gas bills, and up to 35% on merchant services, helping you reduce costs and grow your business.
