LIVE: Tipperary businesswoman wins top national business support grant

A Tipperary businesswoman has scooped a top grant from a national competition aimed at supporting women in business.

Marian Kennedy of Anewmum Post Partum Relief Healthcare will benefit from a €10,000 grant from the Visa She’s Next grant programme, as well as mentoring from beauty entrepreneur and Visa’s She’s Next Campaign Ambassador, Aimee Connolly, the founder of Sculpted by Aimee.

Clonmel native Marian Kennedy founded Post Partum Relief Healthcare in 2015 after being inspired to create a range of products for new mums to support their recovery post childbirth.

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The mother of four is passionate about female healthcare and creating products that are science-backed.

The company’s Anewmum range has been created to help with the physical effects of pregnancy and birth with a range of hygiene and postpartum skincare products.

The Tipp woman is among four winners of €10,000, while the overall winner of the Visa She’s Next grant, Remi, received a €50,000 boost.

Ms Kennedy said that winning the competition has been an “incredibly rewarding” experience.

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“Winning the She’s Next grant has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both personally and professionally. Launching Anewmum has come with challenges, from navigating Brexit to rising global costs, so this recognition is a powerful validation of the market need and future potential of our business,” she said.

“The funding will accelerate product development, support ongoing scientific research, and help us bring innovative solutions to market faster. Additionally, the pitch preparation sessions have been invaluable, equipping me with the skills and confidence to pursue future funding opportunities with even greater success,” the Tipperary native added.