Female entrepreneurs from across County Kildare will gather on 15 October at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, to mark the 20th anniversary of National Women's Enterprise Day.

The 2026 programme, titled Going Global – Her Way, will spotlight the growing ambition of Irish women founders to expand into international markets.

Organised by Kildare County Council's Local Enterprise Office, the event will connect women at every stage of business growth, from those eyeing their first export deals to established operators already selling overseas.

Over two decades, National Women's Enterprise Day has become a key forum for acknowledging and backing women's contribution to Ireland’s enterprise landscape. This year’s Kildare gathering will examine the opportunities and challenges of scaling beyond Ireland, with contributors sharing stories of risk-taking, overcoming setbacks and the pivotal moments that can reshape a company's path. Broadcaster and entrepreneur Sonya Lennon will MC, while Cocoa Brown founder Marissa Carter will deliver a keynote discussion, drawing on her experience of building an internationally recognised Irish beauty brand.

Therese Murphy of Equi-Ed, winner of the Female Entrepreneur Award at the 2026 National Enterprise Awards, will outline how she has built an export-focused venture and the realities of entering overseas markets.

Jacqui McNabb, Head of Enterprise, Economic Development and Tourism at Kildare County Council, said: "National Women's Enterprise Day is about recognising that every business journey is different. We want women to leave the day feeling inspired, but also equipped with the knowledge, connections and practical supports to take that next step.

"This is also a celebration of what women are already achieving. The businesses and stories we will hear on the day demonstrate the incredible talent and ambition we have here in Kildare, and we want to inspire even more women to believe that their business can go further, including onto the global stage."