The IWN Ignite programme has been created to help women in Cornwall grow their confidence, skills, and opportunities in leadership, business, and work. Built from the foundations laid by women at our Gather, Share, Transform and Women of Colour Focus Group consultations, Ignite responds to real needs, helping women to grow their confidence, find accessible training, discover role models, uncover their unique strengths and join inclusive, supportive spaces where women’s ideas can flourish.
Together, we are building a powerful network where women support women — and where opportunities are opened up for those who face the greatest barriers.
Whilst still in the development stages, the programme aims to brings together training, workshops, mentoring, networking, and business opportunities through six strands. If one of the areas sparks your interest as a participant, volunteer, or partner, find out how to get in touch and register your interest below.
1. Ignite Collective
Volunteering & Skills Exchange
Share skills. Build futures. Spark change
A community-driven space where women support women to grow. Take part in skills exchanges (think one hour of my admin skills for one hour of your marketing know-how); offer a workshop to others to share your expertise to help others build confidence and career skills in things you know about or take part in workshops designed by others in the collective. Sign up below!
3. Ignite Futures
Confidence, Skills & Career Development
Build confidence. Unlock potential.
Focus on personal growth to fuel professional success, community leadership or just to thrive in doing the things that you love best. Develop confidence, tap into and grow your skills, CVs, and digital capabilities. Access mentoring, internships, and career support, including sessions tailored for different communities. Track progress and unlock opportunities to grow. This strand is still in development stages, but please register your interest below as a participant, telling us what kind of support would benefit you most, or as a delivery partner letting us know how you would like to work together.
5. Ignite Growth
Mentorship & Industry Partnerships
Mentorship that moves women forward
We want the path to leadership to be more joyful, rewarding and accessible. We want to match mentors and industry leaders with women who are ready to take their career to the next level. We want women to access internships, job shadowing, and training opportunities. We want to build relationships with employers and explore new pathways for women from development to leadership. Register your interest below if you are a potential partner or woman on this pathway.
2. Ignite Ideas
Build & Pitch Business Ideas
Turn visions into ventures
Have a business idea? Ignite Ideas supports women from idea stage to early start-up, helping you gain the skills, confidence, and support to develop, test, and pitch your business. The journey culminates in a Pitch and Spark Dragons’ Den-style event on 5 February 2026, where participants present to the Board of Executives from our partners, Seasalt Cornwall, receive feedback, and showcase ideas to potential local partners or funders. We want to offer workshops tailored to your needs to get you pitch-ready, plus ongoing mentoring and visibility opportunities to help turn ideas into real businesses. No prior business experience is needed — just passion, commitment, and a willingness to learn. Sign up below!
4. Ignite Connections
Networking & Community Building
Where women meet, learn & lead
Connect, collaborate, and be inspired at our networking events. Showcase women-led and women of colour-led businesses, meet mentors and collaborators, and hear from panels featuring leaders and entrepreneurs. Keep your eyes peeled for our next event on our socials and Events Calendar or register your interest to participate.
6. Ignite Access
Inclusion & Practical Support
Breaking barriers & opening doors
We want to make sure no woman is left behind when accessing our programme. If you have a practical support need like childcare, transport solutions, accessibility requirements, or you are a partner who would like to work with us in providing this support, please get in touch.
Sign Up & Get Involved
I have a small business or business idea.....
💡 Got a business idea but not sure where to start? Join Ignite Ideas and get free workshops, mentoring, and the chance to pitch at our Dragons’ Den-style Pitch & Spark event with Seasalt Cornwall (Feb 2026). Click the button below to sign up now to turn your vision into a venture!
I want to grow my Confidence, Skills & Networks🌸 Ignite isn’t just for entrepreneurs — it’s for every woman who wants to grow her confidence, skills, and network. Join our workshops, attend networking events, or help shape the programme by sharing your voice. Register your interest and Sign-Up below to let us know how you would like to be involved.
I want to contribute my time and skills.....
✨ Share your skills. Build futures. Spark change.
We’re looking for volunteers with expertise in business, leadership, digital skills, marketing, finance, and personal development to run workshops, mentor participants, or support in other ways. Be part of something powerful - join the Ignite Collective.
We want to support the Ignite programme and partner with IWN....
🤝 Ignite is stronger with partners. If your organisation is committed to diversity, leadership, and inclusion, join us as a partner. Opportunities include sponsorship, delivering workshops, mentoring, or supporting our Women of Colour Business Fund. Let’s make change together. Click the button below to register your interest using the 'Partners' form
I want to network and showcase my business....
🚀 Do you already run a fe business? Ignite offers you the chance to showcase your work, connect with other women in business, and feature in our new online directory of women-led and women of colour-led businesses in Cornwall.
Get in Touch
0777-411-6083
