'Entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit': Belfast hosts global inclusion advocate for ‘Fearless’ entrepreneurship masterclass
Dr. Caroline Casey, a globally recognised entrepreneur, author and founder of the Global 500 movement, shared her deeply personal journey of growing up with Ocular Albinism and concealing her visual impairment while striving to “fit in”
Belfast was the destination for a landmark event celebrating resilience, creativity and the transformational power of entrepreneurship as global changemaker Dr. Caroline Casey delivered an inspirational masterclass.
Entitled Fearless: Entrepreneurship as a Pathway, the event brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, established founders and those who support new ventures to explore how challenge and diversity can fuel business success.
Dr. Casey, a globally recognised entrepreneur, author and founder of the Global 500 movement, shared her deeply personal journey of growing up with Ocular Albinism and concealing her visual impairment while striving to “fit in”. Now legally blind, she has channelled that experience into reshaping how business leaders view inclusion, leadership and competitive advantage.
“Entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit,” she told delegates. “It’s about purpose, courage and rewriting the narrative of what’s possible — especially for those whose lived experiences have been seen as a barrier. This message resonates in a business landscape where lived experience — whether shaped by disability, neurodiversity or mental health challenges — can be an engine for innovation.”
Research highlighted during the event shows that one in four UK entrepreneurs identifies as disabled or neurodiverse, underlining the diversity shaping the modern economy. However, 84% report unequal access to opportunities compared with non-disabled peers, particularly in accessing finance, support networks and role models. At the same time, 35% say their disability has positively influenced their entrepreneurial journey, strengthening resilience and creative problem-solving.
In Northern Ireland, entrepreneurship is also driving significant social and economic value. Recent research indicates that 17% of social enterprises in the region are led by people with disabilities or who are neurodiverse, contributing to employment, community impact and sectoral growth.
The Fearless event was championed by Belfast City Council with support from Pacem Advisory and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. Hosted at Invest Northern Ireland, it challenged assumptions about who becomes an entrepreneur — and why — while celebrating courage, innovation and the confidence to take bold steps forward.