The Rubicon Centre is Ireland’s leading business incubation hub and home to some of the country’s top business start up specialists.

When she moved to Cork from the USA 14 years ago, former journalist Jamie Monagan brought her favourite ‘blankie’ with her — now, thanks to a special programme for wannabe female entrepreneurs, she’s about to launch a business making designer throws.

Cork-based luxury soap producer Hajni Kele of Mianra Artisan Soaps aims to capitalise on recent demand for her products and is keeping her eyes open for potential export opportunities in the long term, writes Trish Dromey.

A cluster of emerging Cork-based firms have been succeeding against the economic odds in recent years.

With National Women’s Enterprise Day this week, Áilín Quinlan looks at an entrepreneurial programme designed to help women get their ideas off the ground