Cork Foundation, in collaboration with Cork innovates, today announced that Irish female entrepreneur, Dee O’Leary of IDME, has been selected to travel to the USA this December to meet relevant industry leaders to expand their business into the States. Dee pitched to a panel of US delegates at this morning’s Thought Leadership Session led by Cork innovates and was announced this evening at Cork Foundation’s Networking event at Rochestown Park Hotel.

Remarking on the exciting news, Dee O’Leary said “I am delighted to have been selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which complements our future business goals. We have begun to develop a strong market share in Ireland and Europe, but will now be focusing strongly on our US expansion.“ IDME safety wristbands ensure children’s contact details and medical requirements are kept close at hand.

During the Thought Leadership Session led by Cork innovates, 10 indigenous female entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a delegation of 8 top US businesswomen. “The women received strategic advice and information on how to break into the American market,” says Siobhan Finn, Project Director of Cork innovates, “the US delegation chose Dee based on her strategic vision and long term goals.”

The winner was announced this evening at Cork Foundation’s Networking Evening, sponsored by Vodafone Ireland, EMC, PepsiCo and RDJ Solicitors, where over 100 of the top Irish businesswomen networked with the US delegates to showcase the best of what Ireland has to offer to the business world. The evening featured Anne O’Leary, CEO, Vodafone Ireland and Cork Foundation Strategic Advisory Board Member as keynote speaker and an artisan picnic which highlighted some of Cork’s finest food producers.

The two events were the first of their kind in Ireland and were created by Cork Foundation and Cork innovates to encourage female innovation and provide local female entrepreneurs with the opportunity to establish helpful business contacts.

“Women are 5 times more likely to set up their own business after meeting other women entrepreneurs. We wanted to provide an arena for these crucial introductions to take place because we recognise the important role entrepreneurs play as Cork works to develop itself as a flourishing business economy,” Says Cork Foundation CEO, Heather McGuire. “Dee O’Leary’s trip to the USA will open doors for her company and expose Cork’s business potential overseas.”