First Steps Programme

Step 1 is a half-day (3 hour) workshop programme dedicated to providing an easy way to learn about becoming self-employed or starting your own company, and to sample the Step 2 Programme so you have all the information you need to decide whether Step 2 is for you. You'll be joining others interested in starting their own business as well as representatives from all support organisations so it's a great way to network and make contacts as well.

You will learn:

• What is self-employment?
• Is self-employment something for me? 
• What supports are for me to progress my idea/project/business?
• What can you gain from the Step 2 Programme?

Step 2 is a six half-day workshop programme dedicated to guiding you through each step you need to start you own business. 

You will learn to:

• Come up with ideas
• Find out if your idea will work
• Plan what to do next and who to contact
• How to organise yourself as a self-employed
• Which tools and templates to use to help you with your idea. 

You will have access to:

• mentors, expert advice and feedback during and after the programme;
• a co-working space to work on your idea; and
• our creation studio on our Aungier Street campus.
• One-to-one support from the TrailblazHER™ team.

The First Steps Programme is open to all woman over 18 years old living in Dublin or nearby who wants to learn more about becoming self-employed or creating their own company. If you are unsure if you are eligible, please email us your query at TrailblazHER@TUDublin.ie.

No, these steps are designed for everyone. Whether you have a business idea or not, these steps will teach you how to come up with ideas, test them and make a business from them.

The first five workshops will take place the week of 10th February 2025. Then, you will have a week to work on your idea and come back for your final workshop on Wednesday 26th February 2025.

Location:  TU Dublin Aungier Street, Dublin 2, D02 HW71.

Time: 10 am to 1 pm.

• Monday 10th February 2025: Confident Me - Explore your own toolkit for business.         
• Tuesday 11th February 2025: Exploring ideas - Learn how to create and test business ideas.           
• Wednesday 12th February 2025: Spotting Opportunities - Identify how to spot market opportunities.    
• Thursday 13th February 2025: Next steps / One-page planning - create a plan for your next steps.
• Friday 14th February 2025: Research and Validation - Steps to research and test your business idea.  
• Wednesday 26th February 2025: Live as an Entrepreneur
• Wednesday 26th February 2025: Graduation (1pm-3pm)   

Yes, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance, irrespective of whether you participate in the Step 2 Programme. 

Yes, once you complete the Step 2 programme requirements, you will receive a TU Dublin Digital Badge and Certificate of Completion. This is irrespective of whether you have attended a Step 1 workshop.

Both steps are free to attend with all course materials provided. The programme is sponsored by TrailblazHER™ and the GROWTHhub project at TU Dublin. 

To register for Step 1 please complete the short Step 1 Registration Form.

The closing date for registration is Thursday 23rd January 2025.

To apply for Step 2 please complete the short Step 2 Application Form.