Female entrepreneurs who are keen to develop their businesses have just one week left to apply for the latest cycle of Going for Growth, the business development programme.

Going for Growth is a six-month, part-time programme - supported by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG - which assists ambitious female entrepreneurs to achieve their growth aspirations.

The deadline for applications is Thursday, December 16.

Up to 60 places will be available for the new cycle, which will run from January to June 2022 and there is no charge for those selected.

Anyone interested is encouraged to register on the website goingforgrowth.com and a link to the application form will be sent to them.

Those selected for the Going for Growth initiative will join interactive round table sessions led by Lead Entrepreneurs, who are successful business women with personal experience of growing a business.

The high-profile business leaders volunteer their time to encourage participants to set and achieve personalised goals and milestones to address the opportunities and challenges they face in driving growth in their businesses.

Some of this year's Lead Entrepreneurs include five previous Going for Growth participants - Dr Anne Cusack, formerly from Critical Healthcare; Chupi Sweetman-Durney from Chupi; Gillian O'Dowd from Azon Recruitment Group, Jeananne O'Brien from Artizan Food Co and Oonagh O’Hagan, from Meaghers Pharmacy Group.

Other Lead Entrepreneurs include Fidelma McGuirk from Payslip and Monica Flood, formerly of Olas IT.

Áine Denn, co-founder and formerly of Altify, and Breege O’Donoghue, formally of Primark, will feature on round table discussions - a further development programme for former participants of Going for Growth.

Leo Clancy, CEO Enterprise Ireland, said that increasing support for ambitious female entrepreneurship is a key national priority and Enterprise Ireland is proud to support Going for Growth.

"Strong peer groups, wonderful Lead Entrepreneurs, excellent formal learning opportunities and frameworks for business growth make this a must consider for anyone seeking to accelerate her business," Mr Clancy added.

Reporting: RTE News