Meet the Speakers
Broadcaster, Tech Expert, Podcast Host
Jess Kelly is one of Ireland’s most recognisable voices in technology and innovation. An award-winning broadcaster, she is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, host of Tech Talk, and a regular contributor on national television. With extensive experience in the field, Jess is known for making complex technology topics clear, accessible and engaging for audiences nationwide.
Founder & CEO, Aerogen
John Power is a serial entrepreneur and former European Entrepreneur of the Year. He leads Aerogen, Ireland’s largest indigenous med-tech company and the global leader in acute care aerosol drug delivery. To date, Aerogen’s award-winning products have helped treat more than 30 million critically ill patients in 80+ countries around the world.
CEO, Ibec, Irish Business & Employers Confederation
Danny McCoy is Chief Executive Officer of Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative organisation and one of the largest in Europe. He has been CEO since 2009, Ibec has doubled to €50 million turnover, with 330 employees over ten locations and owning 39 trade brands.
Head of Innovation and Co-Founder, Good4U
Dietician Michelle Butler is Head of Innovation and Co-Founder at Good4U, a family-run health food company based in Sligo. Taking inspiration from the natural beauty of our surroundings, they use all-natural ingredients to create super-nutritious products that are specifically tailored for functional health benefits.
CEO & Co-Founder, Palliare
John, a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Director with 35 years’ experience in the medical device industry and is currently CEO of surgical company Palliare. Prior to founding Palliare, he co-founded two medical device companies, Caradyne, a respiratory medical device company, acquired by Respironics Inc. in 2004 and Crospon, a gastrodiagnostics company, acquired by Medtronic in 2017. He is also a co-founder of neurointervention company Ceroflo.
Co-Founder & CEO, CitySwift
Brian O’Rourke is CEO and co-founder of CitySwift, an Irish-based performance optimisation platform that helps public transport authorities and operators to deliver dynamic services that are ultra-efficient and reliable. CitySwift’s customer base features some of the world’s largest public transport bodies, including Go-Ahead Group, Transport for Greater Manchester, National Express Group, Translink, and Bus Éireann.
Director General – Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA)
Sarah-Jane has been Director General of the IVCA since Jan 2018. The IVCA is the representative body for venture capital and private equity firms on the island of Ireland, it’s full members are the venture capital and private equity firms that provide equity funding to growing unquoted companies.
CEO, WhiteSwell
Eamon Brady is the CEO of WhiteSwell, leading the charge to develop an innovative new therapy for Acute Decompensated Heart Failure by targeting tissue fluid via the lymphatic system. He is cofounder and chairman at Ceroflo a neurovascular company pioneering a new therapy for intracranial atherosclerosis disease (ICAD) and non-executive director at Neurent Medical.
Founder & CEO, Common Knowledge
Common Knowledge is a non-profit social enterprise on 50 acres in the Burren. Common Knowledge helps people and communities grow their sense of agency and resilience, engaging nearly 6,000 people annually in hands-on skillsharing, ecological restoration and community-led climate action. Previously Fionn was Global Engagement Manager at Science Gallery International and a senior manager at Accenture’s global innovation centre, The Dock. He has served on multiple boards, including as Chair of Inishturk Development Company.
Assistant Manager, Finance and Funding at Lough Ree Access for All CLG
An ACCA-qualified accountant, Bridget brings more than 20 years’ experience with Bank of Ireland, along with extensive experience in accountancy practices and senior financial roles, including Financial Controller positions in both the hotel and catering sectors.
Founder & CEO, Cora Systems
Cora Systems is an enterprise SaaS company established in 1999 in Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim — where its headquarters proudly remain today. From that base in the northwest of Ireland, Philip has built Cora into a globally competitive platform with offices in the UK and the United States, serving large, complex organisations across some of the world’s most demanding industries.
Co-Founder & CEO, Neurent Medical
From a West of Ireland base, Brian has built a world-class team now operating across 24 US territories, with a 78-strong workforce set to grow beyond 125 within two years. Under Brian’s leadership, Neurent Medical has enabled the treatment of over 15,000 patients, secured 60+ patents and raised more than €120 million in capital.
Co-Founder & CEO, Peroptyx
Paul McBride is co-founder and managing director at Mayo based Peroptyx. Founded in 2018, their AI model training infrastructure is being deployed on some of the world’s most widely used maps, search, audio, media and large language models across 30 countries.
Managing Director, Arigna Fuels
Conor holds a BSc in Quantitative Finance. Conor is a fifth generation family member and has worked within the Group for 9 years. As Commercial Director at Arigna Group, Conor is responsible for the Sales, Marketing and Strategy of the companies within the Group. At the forefront of this is the transition of the Group to renewable and sustainable markets.
