At Enterprise Evolution, we know communities and businesses don’t grow and prosper in a vacuum. Whether you’re a high-tech start-up, a social enterprise tackling inequality, or a community group driving development, success depends on the ecosystem and networks around you.

With a growing base in Northern Ireland, we’ve seen how local partnerships and international connections work together to create meaningful change.

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Northern Ireland’s diverse support landscape from business incubators to rural networks, social enterprises to policy drivers forms the scaffolding that helps ideas grow into sustainable ventures.

Examples include:

• Catalyst championing innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Women in Business NI: advancing gender equity through peer support, mentoring, and capacity-building.
• Northern Ireland Rural Women’s Network (NIRWN): empowering rural women to drive local economies and inclusive community development.

These organisations fuel economic growth, strengthen communities, and tackle inequalities.

(Left to Right) Lorraine Acheson WIB NI, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly BL MLA, Roseann Kelly MBE WIB NI and Prof. Maggie O’ Carroll.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

With a growing base in Northern Ireland, we’ve seen how local partnerships and international connections work together to create meaningful change. A thriving ecosystem needs strategic investment and policy support.

The Department for the Economy NI drives innovation, skills, and inclusive enterprise, supporting green and digital transitions.

The Department of Health champions community-led and social enterprise solutions to improve wellbeing and tackle health inequalities.

Political leaders can bridge the urban/ rural divide, address structural inequalities, and align economic development with social and environmental goals and focus investments where it can achieve real and sustainable impact.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀: 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁

Local support is vital, but international collaboration amplifies innovation. Through work across the UK, Europe, and beyond, we connect local actors to global knowledge, funding, and influence—helping enterprises access new markets, learn from peers, and shape policy.

Enterprise Evolution is committed to:

• Strengthening equitable, community-driven ecosystems
• Supporting enterprise and social enterprise
• Empowering local development
• Aligning with government strategy
• Engaging political leadership
• Fostering international collaboration

If you’re a policymaker, support organisation, social entrepreneur, or community leader—let’s build an ecosystem for sustainable, inclusive growth in Northern Ireland enterprise and beyond.

About the Author: Maggie O Carroll is Founder and CEO of The Women’s Organisation, an award-winning social enterprise, working nationally, and internationally, providing research, policy, training, advice, and incubation services. Maggie is Executive Director of Enterprise Evolution.

Maggie is a visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Hunter Centre, Strathclyde University, Co-Chair of Women’s Enterprise Policy Group, and a visiting scholar at the Haydn Green Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Nottingham University.

Maggie is actively involved in shaping women’s economic development and SME policy on a local, national, and international basis. Her work has been recognised across the UK, with business accolades including ‘Entrepreneurs Champion of the Year’ and ‘Social Leader of the Year’.