AwakenHub and AwakenAngels have announced their final speaker line-up for SheVentures 2026: The Courage Edition, taking place from 7–9 June at Lusty Beg Island Resort, Co. Fermanagh.
Previously termed ‘The Glastonbury’ of business events, SheVentures sees more than 250 founders and investors gather together on Lusty Beg Island to hear fromglobal business leaders, share experiences with peers, make new connections, and gain invaluable insights during a 2.5-day stay.
This year’s SheVentures has been designed to also appeal to established business owners, executives, investors and professionals interested in leadership, innovation, growth, and the future of women-led enterprise and angel investing across Ireland and internationally.
Speakers
Confirmed speakers include former US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin; Eden Project co-founder Sir Tim Smit KBE; one of the US’s most respected transformation and business leaders, Maria Frizelle Roberts; BAFTA award-winning filmmaker and co-creator of Blue Lights and Gallagher Films, Louise Gallagher; Techstars VP of Network John Hill; OrangeDoor founder Elizabeth Heron; comedian Emma Doran; Head of Strategy and Operations, EMEA at Canva, Kayla Lean; Guinness World Record holder and endurance swimmer, Nuala Moore; broadcaster and entrepreneur Áine Kerr; and renowned women’s health and sexual wellbeing tech founder and investor, Dominnique Karetsos.
The summit will also feature former United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland, Joe Kennedy III; Six Nations Rugby Chair, Ronan Dunne; neuroaesthetics designer Samantha Clarke; Cranfield University’s Professor Stephanie Hussels; CFO and leading academic Martin Spiller. Delegates will also hear from and meet additional business founders, operators, investors, and sector specialists in fireside conversations, networking events, investor discussions, practical scaling workshops, and wellness activities as part of the programme. Broadcaster and podcast host Lynette Fay will return to MC this year's event.
Cabins
In addition to the main speaker programme, this year’s SheVentures summit is placing a major focus on the opportunities available to attendees in a series of themed Cabins. Organisers AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, have created eight Cabins across the island to offer delegates access to the kind of high-value conversations with leading experts that are rarely possible at larger conferences.
Designing Your US Playbook: Capital, Customers and Courage, will focus on helping founders understand how to successfully enter and scale within the US market, with advice from speakers already working stateside. Shelf-Ready: Building Brands That Scale, will offer practical insight for product-based businesses seeking to grow through retail, e-commerce and distribution channels. A further Cabin focused on AI, investment and founder funding journeys will tackle the “real-world truths behind the hype”, while Tell It Bold: Stories, Screens and Standing Out will explore how founders can use podcasts, video, media and AI-driven content creation to grow visibility and attract customers and investment. Other Cabin themes will include opportunities within the rapidly growing space sector, practical business masterclasses, founder wellbeing and burnout, and long-term wealth planning for women founders and investors.
Speaking about the confirmed programme, Clare McGee, Co-founder and CEO of AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, said: “This year’s SheVentures programme is the strongest and most ambitious event we’ve ever delivered. Last time around, our delegates rated SheVentures as ‘rockstar level’, and we’re going all out to top that this year. We’ve brought together international speakers and facilitators who are exceptional in their fields and have walked the walk. Crucially, they are willing to speak honestly about risk, growth, money, scaling, and what it really takes to build or to invest in something meaningful.
“No other business event on this island gives delegates the chance to really immerse themselves in such a positive and ambitious atmosphere for 2.5 days or to have continual access to the kinds of opportune meetings or discussions that could change the trajectory of their company.
“We’ve designed this year’s SheVentures to create real commercial value and long-term connections for founders and investors alike that will be invaluable to them for many years to come. Anyone wanting to avail of this incredible opportunity should get their tickets sooner rather than later, however, as we are limited in capacity because of our island location and our last SheVentures event sold out previously.”
