Spark It ABC for female entrepreneurs

Business support programme for women in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area

Spark It ABC is a fully funded 12-week support programme for women in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area who are thinking about starting a business or in the early stages of trading.

Funded by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and delivered in partnership with Women in Business NI, the programme runs from October 2025 to January 2026.

Spark It ABC offers 25 places and combines practical training, expert-led workshops, peer support and ongoing guidance to help participants build a strong foundation for their business journey.

Programme details

Participants will benefit from

• six expert-led business modules (online and in-person) covering mindset, marketing, finance, operations and planning
• two digital marketing workshops, delivered by Digital 24, focusing on SEO, visibility, social media and email marketing
• two Champion-led peer support groups, offering guidance, encouragement and structured accountability with experienced female entrepreneurs
• a private Facebook group to stay connected, ask questions and share their progress throughout the programme

Eligibility criteria

This programme is open to women who

• live or have a business address in Armagh City, Banbridge or Craigavon Borough
• are aged 18 or over
• are either
  • at pre-start stage (no sales yet), or in the early stages of trading (started within the past six months,
  • or trading longer as a hobby/sideline)
• can commit to attending all programme sessions

Find out more and apply for Spark It ABC.

First published 3 July 2025