If you run a manufacturing business in the Derry and Strabane area and you have been eyeing up the US market, this one is worth a look before the week is out. Applications for Lead2Grow 2026, the international leadership and scaling programme run through the Ireland Northwest partnership, were due to close today. The deadline has now been pushed to Friday 18 September at 12 noon.
What is it?
Lead2Grow is a Babson College Executive Education programme built for established businesses that want to scale. Babson is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world for entrepreneurship, and the programme uses its Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology to help leaders build a practical growth roadmap for their own company rather than a generic one.
The 2026 programme runs from 9 to 11 November and combines faculty-led workshops with one-to-one coaching and a US immersion, taking in business ecosystem visits and investor and network engagement.
Participating companies get:
- A 90-minute virtual pre-arrival session
- Two half-day Babson faculty-led workshops
- Dedicated growth planning sessions
- Two hours of one-to-one coaching per company
- Peer learning with a cohort of ambitious North West business leaders
- A Babson Executive Education Certificate on completion
- A customised growth plan to take home
- Ongoing alumni network and post-programme support
The curriculum covers the things that actually keep owner-managers up at night: managing cash for growth, creating viable financial plans, go-to-market strategy, scaling through acquisition, building effective teams, culture and organisational development, and business models in the AI era.
Who is it for?
Manufacturing is named as one of the key growth sectors the programme is looking to attract. The ideal participant is a founder-led or SME business with genuine growth ambition, ideally with £500K+ annual turnover and at least three employees, and either based in or with a presence in the Derry City and Strabane District Council or Donegal County Council areas.
It is not aimed at early-stage businesses. If you are already trading well and the question is how to get to the next stage, particularly across the Atlantic, you are the target.
What does it cost?
Companies can claim up to a maximum of £2,500 / €2,750, based on a 50% company contribution. Eligible costs include 50% of economy flights and hotel accommodation, ESTA fees, reasonable ground transport and receipted food and drink (alcohol excluded). Travel and health insurance are not covered, so budget for that separately.
What previous participants say
Clive Wilson, Managing Director of FAST Technologies, said he would actively encourage others to take part to meet like-minded businesses facing the same challenges and asking the same questions. Steven O’Reilly, Co-Founder of O’Reilly Sports, said the programme taught them how to grow their business into the USA efficiently.
How to apply
Apply via the Ireland Northwest website at irelandnw.com/lead2grow before 12 noon on Friday 18 September. Successful applicants will be notified on 21 September.
For more information, contact Rosalind Young at Derry City and Strabane District Council (Rosalind.Young@derrystrabane.com), Brenda Hegarty or Grace Korbel at Local Enterprise Office Donegal, or Kevin Sexton at Alpha Innovation (kevinsexton@alphainnovation.eu).
Lead2Grow is delivered in partnership with Babson College, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council, Local Enterprise Office Donegal and Alpha Innovation, and is supported by The Executive Office and the Government of Ireland.