![](https://www.siliconrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/201408/exxcel-programme-718x523.jpg)
Claire Holland-Schedrin, quality assurance specialist; Olive O'Driscoll, CEO, Adventamed; Gayle Lucey, QA/RA manager; and Kathleen Fitton, project leader/facilitator of Exxcel at the launch of the new programme
One of Ireland’s largest entrepreneurial hubs is calling on female entrepreneurs involved in STEM to join its new programme, Exxcel, to avail of mentoring and bring their start-ups to the next level.
Due to start in September, Exxcel will be a part-time programme expected to run for six months and will allow women in the course the opportunity to develop and progress their business idea while staying in the workforce. Exxcel is a partnership between CIT, the Rubicon Centre and Enterprise Ireland.
The Rubicon Centre will be orchestrating the programme from its campus in Cork and has stated that the programme will initially carry out a needs analysis on those participating and with a focused modular and mentoring teaching system.
It will also offer participants the opportunity to meet and share in the experiences of existing entrepreneurs both in groups and on a one-to-one basis, which is to be made to meet each individual’s knowledge and experience gaps.
The programme’s manager Kathleen Fitton said Exxcel will provide women with the opportunity to fulfil their true potential and enable them to set up their business and generate employment.
Women Invent Tomorrow is Silicon Republic’s campaign to champion the role of women in science, technology, engineering and maths. It has been running since March 2013, and is kindly supported by Accenture Ireland, Intel, the Irish Research Council, ESB, Twitter, CoderDojo and Science Foundation Ireland.