2023 Summit: Belfast, N. Ireland
FUND Bootcamp Belfast: Breaking Down the Business of Funding
Earlier this week, Ladies Who Launch brought its FUND Bootcamp to Belfast for two packed days of candid conversations, practical financial education, and the kind of community support that made big business questions feel a little less intimidating.
Held on November 15 and 16, the program was created for women and non-binary small business owners who had moved beyond the idea stage, generated revenue, and were ready to explore what could come after bootstrapping. The goal was not to push founders toward one particular type of capital. It was to help them understand the options, ask sharper questions, and pursue funding that genuinely fit their businesses.
First up: the feelings.
During a virtual kickoff, Bianca McGee, Founder and CEO of Plan Profit Grow™, led “Emotions Behind Money.” The session gave the 29 participating founders space to confront the fear, shame, and uncertainty that can make business finances so difficult to discuss. Because before anyone can build a healthier financial strategy, they have to be able to look at the numbers without flinching.
The following morning, the cohort gathered at Invest Northern Ireland for a full day of learning, beginning with a deep dive into how businesses get funded. Ladies Who Launch Co-Founder Sarah Friar and Broadstone General Partner Chris McClelland walked participants through options ranging from self-funding, grants, and crowdfunding to loans, revenue-sharing arrangements, and venture capital.
They were joined by Monzo Bank CEO TS Anil and Grainne Kelly, Founder and CEO of BubbleBum, who brought perspectives from both sides of the funding table. Together, the group explored some of the questions every growing founder eventually faces: How much money do I actually need? What will the funding allow me to accomplish? Where should I spend it? What value am I building for my customers?
The afternoon moved from funding strategy to the financial infrastructure underneath it. Angela Reavey, CFO of Kinsetsu and Management Consultant at Capaxo Ltd, broke down cash-flow statements, income statements, balance sheets, and forecasting. The session focused on using financial information as a decision-making tool, not treating it as paperwork to revisit at tax time.
Representatives from British Business Bank and Enterprise Northern Ireland then demystified the loan process, including how founders could prepare, evaluate their options, and pursue financing with a clearer understanding of what lenders needed to see.
The final workshop turned the spotlight toward Belfast’s own funding ecosystem. Facilitated by Mary McKenna of AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, the conversation featured leaders from Invest NI, Clarendon Fund Managers, and the Irish League of Credit Unions. One of the day’s most useful reminders? The best time to build a relationship with a funder or resource partner is before you urgently need the money.
The program wrapped with a reception at PwC Northern Ireland, where two participants shared pitches before Jayne Brady, Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, delivered closing remarks. It was a fitting finish to a program built around both knowledge and connection.
No magic formulas. No pretending that funding was simple. Only a room full of founders getting more comfortable with the numbers, more familiar with their options, and more prepared to fund what comes next.