Mary McKenna appointed as Ulster University entrepreneur in residence

In March 2025, Mary McKenna, co-founder of AwakenHub, was appointed as the first-ever Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence at Ulster University in Northern Ireland. This prestigious role involves collaboration with academics, students, and potential entrepreneurs to facilitate the transformation of innovative ideas into viable business ventures. McKenna’s role aligns with the Royal Society's initiative to enhance ties between entrepreneurship and academic research, a program established in 2017. This appointment is significant not only as McKenna is the inaugural occupant of this position at Ulster University, but she is also one of only three individuals to hold such a fellowship in Northern Ireland, further emphasizing its importance within the region's ecosystem. Mary McKenna has actively participated in promoting entrepreneurship among women and ensuring that founders have support in securing investments. Alongside her colleagues, she co-founded AwakenHub, aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across Ireland. The commendation from the Royal Society underlines McKenna's notable advocacy for entrepreneurship and her extensive experience in angel investing - having supported 35 early-stage tech start-ups. This variety of initiatives reflects a conscious effort to dismantle existing barriers against women in the startup landscape, enabling equitable access to resources and opportunities. McKenna's appointment has been met with enthusiasm from both the academic community at Ulster and her peers in the entrepreneurship space. Sandra Moffett, a professor at UUBS, emphasized McKenna's potential to enhance educational and practical experiences for students. The collaboration aims to create a robust entrepreneurial culture where research can be converted into impactful innovations. McKenna echoed this sentiment, highlighting her commitment to bridging the divide between academia and industry, reinforcing the need for mentorship and applied expertise within the founder ecosystem. Furthermore, success stories have already begun to emerge from the AwakenHub network, exemplified by the co-founders of Lia Eyecare, who credit their accomplishments in a global competition to the support they received through AwakenHub initiatives. This case serves to illustrate the immediate effects of McKenna's mission in fostering innovation among women-led startups. Overall, McKenna's appointment represents a major milestone in fostering an environment where entrepreneurship can flourish in Northern Ireland and beyond.