Women Innovators Rise
Never has there been such an important moment to gather women innovators, champions and tech leaders together. It s a time for reimaging. It’s a time for building. We’re going forwards! We’re rising together. Two years on we’re back to raise the roof of the Round Room at the Mansion House. Now a global gathering TechFoundHer Summit 2025 is an all-day event bringing together trail blazing women innovators.
Programme TechFoundHer Summit 2025
Registration
08:45 Door Opens and Registration (Tea/Coffee served)
09:30 Take your seat!
09.30 – 11.00 Morning Programme
Belong: Tech Rebels – Innovation by all – for all
Kelly Vero ‘s talk is a a rallying cry – women have shaped, pioneered, and revolutionised technology throughout history – let’s know them, let’s celebrate them and let’s take inspiration from them and use tech to shape the future! Lesley Sackey, a non-tech founder, shares her journey from surviving abuse to creating Pillow.AI—proof that innovation is by all and for all.
11:00- 11:15 Comfort Break (Time to refill your tea/coffee)
11.15 – 12:30 Morning Programme Continues
Build :The Time is Now
If not now- when? If not me who? The time for half-measures is over—it’s time for women to seize tech as a tool for real change. Áine Kerr kicks off the session by prompting us to challenge our assumptions and stoke the ambition that turns problems into purpose-fuelled missions. Then founder insights form innovators ripping up the rulebook: Ailleen Carville on her subculture avatar revolution at Colonni; Olivia Humphreys on Athena, the Dyson Award–winning scalp-cooling device for chemotherapy patients; Naomh McElhatton on her relentless cycle of invention and and Jennifer Opal – using AI and wearable technology to help neurodivergent people like me predict and prevent sensory overload. This isn’t tinkering around the edges—it’s women-led tech insurgency. Barbara McCarthy, CIO at Cool Planet, follows by demystifying AI’s hype—showing us how these once-feared algorithms are in fact the ultimate amplifiers for our boldest ideas.
Thank you to contribution from Rose Silva and Samba Dance Brazil – who embody the power and positivity of women on the rise.
Lunch 12.30 – 13.30 (enjoy the spread of sandwiches, snacks and refreshments)
13:00 – 15:00 Afternoon Programme
Breakthough – Milestones, Money, Momentum
Impact demands breakthroughs—those pivotal milestones that lead to progress. Our breakthrough panel—Áine Denn, Lata Setty, Laura McClean and others— share insights on what’s needed for moving forwards with customers and funding . Next meet our TechFoundHer Innovation Labs Alumni and celebrate the winners of our inaugural Breakthrough Awards (supported by InterTradeIreland) who have leveraged the programme to take bold steps forwards. We’ll close with Dr Patricia Scanlon, Ireland’s AI Ambassador, showing how low-code/no-code can be your ultimate bootstrap breakthrough—fuelling the momentum you need to keep building your product and business.
15:00 – 15.20 Comfort Break
15:30 – 17:30 Show Her The Money Screening and Panel Discussion
Breakthough – Milestones, Money, Momentum
Following a packed-out première in 2024, the award-winning documentary Show Her The Money returns for our Summit 2025! The award winning documentary, addresses how women globally are getting less than 2% of venture capital funding and demystifies what venture capital is. Directed by Ky Dickens and produced by Catherine Gray the movie follows four dynamic female founders battling systemic barriers to secure investment—and the game-changing women investors who back them. Wendy Ryan, one of the star investors featured in the award winning documentary, is flying in from the U.S. to take part in the discussion, alongside Lata Setty, globally renowned tech entrepreneur and investor. The panel will also spotlight leading voices in Ireland’s startup ecosystem including Mary Rodgers (PorterShed), Suzanne Mills and Eshna Gogia (Republic of Work). Meet the unstoppable women founders and investors creating a tidal wave of change.
* Variations to schedule are possible
Takeaways
- Become part of our women led startup ecosystem and a community of support and valuable connections with signposting to opportunities and funding.
- Join an inclusive event that aims to bust tech jargon, where attendees feel comfortable to ask anything and build business and tech know-how and confidence.
- Highly motivational – exploring tech trends in particular AI and use cases.
- Be part of or gathering of women in tech leaders, founders and supporters as speakers, panellists and champions to share insights and practical tips on how to create tech products.
- Network with other tech driven founders and future founders from a wide range of diverse backgrounds and demographics.
All women founders, students and women with an idea for a tech product or those simply curious about latest tech trends are invited to join our network.