"If you have an idea and you feel passionately about it, you will not fail. If you have enough dedication, and you believe in your product, you believe in yourself — you will not fail."

🏢 From Basement to Boardroom: How Shena Brien Built Ireland's Most Customer-Obsessed Telco!

🎙 In this episode of the InvestHer Podcast, host Anne Ravanona speaks with Shena Brien, Co-Founder & CEO of IPTelecom, one of Ireland's leading cloud communications companies. Shena shares what it really takes to bootstrap a tech company from scratch, grow it organically for over a decade, and then make the leap to private equity — all while building one of the most gender-diverse teams in Irish tech.

🌍 Discover how Shena and her co-founder, Brian Chamberlain, turned a house basement, second-hand servers, and a shared passion for customer service into a 40-person, PE-backed scale-up now targeting a place in Ireland's top five telcos. With a 50/50 gender split across the company, Shena is rewriting what leadership in the telecom sector looks like.

💡 Don't miss this episode with insights on:

• Why staying self-funded for 13 years gave IPTelecom the structure and stability to attract the right investor — at the right time
• How Shena "interviewed" potential investors just as hard as they interviewed her, and what made Development Capital stand out
• Building a gender-diverse, multinational team (15 nationalities!) in a male-dominated industry — without a quota in sight
• The "telecom in a box" concept that powered an international proof-of-concept in South Africa — and what it signals for IPTelecom's global future
• Why zero downtime and customer centricity aren't just values — they're a competitive moat
• Hard-won founder wisdom: direct debit billing from day one, outsourcing HR until you're ready, and why your employee handbook is your Bible
• Her message to every woman who hesitates to walk into a room full of men: you belong here

Learn how to build a fundable, scalable business — on your own terms.

🔗 Listen Now 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ▶️ Full Show Notes

• 🏢 IPTelecom: iptelecom.ie
• 🏛 Enterprise Ireland: enterprise-ireland.com
• 💼 Development Capital (investors): developmentcapital.ie

• 📧 Email: [email protected] (Shena with one 'e'!)
• 🌐 Website: iptelecom.ie
• 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iptelecom_ireland/
• 🐤 Twitter (X): https://x.com/iptelecom

• 🌐 investherpodcast.com
• 📂 Funder Directory: https://funderdirectory.globalinvesther.com/
• 🛍 Buy From Her Directory: https://www.buyfromher.com/
• 🗨️ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneravanona/

#WomenFounders #IrishTech #Telco #InvestHerPodcast #WomenInSTEM #Bootstrapped #PrivateEquity #ScaleUp #WomenInBusiness #CustomerFirst #WomenEntrepreneurs #InvestHer #FemaleFounders #StartupFunding

"Founders really need to know themselves in this journey, and know where their thresholds are and what their limits are. I am now at the point where I am setting the boundaries and the rules. It's not up to investors to determine the timeline — if you're not there during that timeline, then you're out."

🏠 The Monadd Story: Venture-Backed PropTech with Jessica Mendoza!

🎙 In this episode of the InvestHer Podcast, host Anne Ravanona speaks with Jessica Mendoza, founder of Monadd (since acquired by Bunch), about building and scaling a venture-backed, data and AI-powered proptech startup — and what it really takes to raise funding, build with ethics, and grow a business that makes a real difference.

🌍 Discover how Jessica transformed a personal frustration with moving house into a residence management platform now reaching a third of all UK households. She shares her journey from idea to raising venture backing, ranking in the top

💡 Don't miss this episode with actionable insights on:

• Why founders have more power than they think when choosing investors
• Building AI and data ethics into your startup from day one
• Pivoting from B2C to B2B and unlocking commercial scale
• Navigating the UK vs. US investor landscape — and why Jessica flipped her company to a US domicile
• Turning rejection into rocket fuel — and setting your own rules

Learn how to build a fundable, scalable business — on your own terms.

🔗 Listen Now 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ▶️ Full Show Notes

• 🏛 Open Data Institute (UK): theodi.org
• 🏛 Alan Turing Institute: turing.ac.uk
• ⚖️ Mishcon de Reya (AI & data law specialists, London): mishcon.com
• 🌐Bunch: https://the-bunch.co.uk/

• Website: jessgmendoza.me
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicagmendoza/

• 🌐 investherpodcast.com
• 📂 Funder Directory: https://funderdirectory.globalinvesther.com/
• 🛍 Buy From Her Directory: https://www.buyfromher.com/
• 🗨️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneravanona/

#WomenFounders #PropTech #DataEthics #AIEthics #InvestHerPodcast #WomenInTech #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #WomenEntrepreneurs #VentureBackedStartup #InvestHer

🚀 Women Investors: Unlock the Nordic Investment Revolution!

🎙 In this episode of the InvestHer Podcast, host Anne Ravanona speaks with Michaela Berglund, CEO of Feminvest, about investing in women entrepreneurs and transforming women's financial futures in the Nordics.

🌍 Discover how Michaela is challenging the investment landscape, where less than 1% of private equity goes to women entrepreneurs. She shares her inspiring journey from making her first €20 investment at 18 to launching the Nordics' first VC fund dedicated to women-led startups.

💡 Don't miss this game-changing episode packed with actionable insights on:

• Building financial confidence from scratch
• Overcoming investment fears
• Creating a powerful women's investor community
• Accessing funding for women-led tech and retail startups

Learn how to take control of your financial future, build wealth, and support women entrepreneurs across the Nordic region.

🔗 Listen Now 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ▶️ Full Show Notes

#WomenInvestors #FinancialEmpowerment #WomenEntrepreneurs #InvestHer #NordicStartups #VentureCapital #WomenInFinance

🚀 Women Entrepreneurs: Unlock the secret world of grants!

🎙 In this episode of the InvestHer Podcast, host Anne Ravanona speaks with Vanessa Sanchez, Senior Grant Development Consultant at Grants Office, about unlocking funding opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

🌍 Discover how Vanessa is transforming the grant funding landscape by helping women entrepreneurs navigate complex funding strategies. She reveals insider secrets from her unique journey from neuroscience to grants consulting, sharing practical advice on accessing non-dilutive funding across local, national, and international levels.

💡 Don't missthis game-changing episode packed with actionable insights on:

• Crafting compelling grant applications

• Understanding different types of grants

• Overcoming funding barriers

• Leveraging Dell's Women Entrepreneur Network opportunities

Learn how to turn your passionate project into a fundable opportunity and accelerate your business growth with expert grant strategies.

🔗 Listen Now 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ▶️ Full Show Notes

#WomenEntrepreneurs #Funding #BusinessGrowth #Grants #StartupFunding #WomeninTech #EUGrants

🎙 In this episode of the InvestHer Podcast, host Anne Ravanona sits down with Andie Cooper, Account Director at Beach Hut PR, to unlock the secrets of powerful tech communications for founders.

🚀 Discover how innovative startups transform their stories into global headlines, with insider strategies for media relations, fundraising visibility, and authentic storytelling. Andie reveals the critical differences between a press office and a strategic PR partnership that can truly elevate your startup.

💡 Learn practical tips for:

• Nailing media interviews

• Building meaningful journalist relationships

• Amplifying your startup's mission

• Positioning yourself as a thought leader in tech

Whether you're a women founder, tech entrepreneur, or aspiring innovator, this episode is your blueprint for breaking through the noise and making your mark in the competitive world of tech communications. Get ready to revolutionize how you tell your startup's story! 🌍🔥

#WomenInTech #PRStrategy #StartupFunding #EntrepreneurshipTips

🌍 Transforming Africa's Economic Landscape: One Woman's Mission to Empower 60,000 Entrepreneurs

Join Cathy Latiwa, founder of Latiwa Development Foundation, as she reveals how "Build Her A Future" is revolutionizing women's entrepreneurship across Central Africa. From survival businesses to global market players, this episode uncovers the power of digital skills, strategic partnerships, and unwavering determination.

Discover how technology, mentorship, and targeted support can turn women's entrepreneurial dreams into reality. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, business leader, or change-maker, this conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about economic empowerment.

Get ready to be inspired by real stories of women building factories, breaking barriers, and reshaping their communities - one business at a time! 💪🚀🌟

#WomenEntrepreneurs #AfricaRising #BuildHerAFuture #EconomicEmpowerment #Entrepreneurship

🌟 Transforming Lives Through Beauty: Meet Sarah Naylor, the social entrepreneur rewriting success stories for marginalized communities!

From helping teenagers build confidence to supporting individuals seeking a fresh start, Sarah's academy proves that practical skills are powerful tools of empowerment. Her journey from Dublin's challenging neighborhoods to creating a thriving beauty business training program shows that your background doesn't define your potential.

Discover how one woman is creating economic opportunities, breaking societal stigmas, and helping people rediscover their worth - one nail, one lash, one dream at a time. 💅🚀

In this raw, inspiring podcast episode, Sarah shares her mission to uplift communities, teach business skills, and prove that entrepreneurship knows no boundaries. Whether you're a teenager, a migrant, or someone seeking a second chance, there's a path forward.

Tune in to hear a masterclass in resilience, community building, and turning personal challenges into transformative opportunities! 💪❤️🌈

#WomenEntrepreneurs #EmpowermentThroughSkills #SocialImpact

🔥 Ready to rethink financial security for women? In this episode, Lesley Tully, founder of This is Penny, shares her inspiring mission to close the gender pension gap through innovative fintech solutions.

Discover how This is Penny combines technology, education, and community to empower women to take control of their retirement savings. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to make smarter pension choices, Lesley's insights will inspire you to build a stronger financial future.

Tune in and start revolutionising your pension today! 💼💪💡

🔥 Ready to fuel your climate startup journey? In this episode, Helena Wasserman, founder and CEO of Unstoppable Accelerator, shares her inspiring path from entrepreneur to climate advocate.

Discover at Unstoppable, how community, fundraising strategies, personal branding, and AI tools can supercharge your impact in the climate space. Whether you're a founder or investor, Helena's insights will help you navigate the competitive world of climate entrepreneurship with confidence and purpose.

Tune in and get unstoppable! 🌱🚀

In this episode of the InvestHer Podcast, host Anne Ravanona sits down with Marc Ortmans from Global Entrepreneurship Network UK (GEN UK) to discuss the transformative power of shared values in the world of entrepreneurship.

Drawing from his rich background in design and branding, Marc shares insights on the vital role of ecosystems and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and values-driven initiatives.

The conversation dives deep into the significance of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a movement that now spans over 200 countries, promoting the spirit of entrepreneurship worldwide. Marc reveals the backstory behind the branding of GEW and how the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) has grown into a key player in supporting ecosystem builders. Together, they explore the impact of initiatives like Restart Ukraine, which supports displaced women entrepreneurs, and Startup Planet, focusing on sustainability and net-zero innovation.

Get the links to the resources mentioned in this episode and learn more in the Show Notes here; https://bit.ly/InvestHerPodcastEp46MarcOrtmansGENUK