In this episode of the 10forty Podcast, we sit down with Bobby Healy for what can only be described as a masterclass in entrepreneurship, hiring, and scaling a business from first principles.

Bobby takes us right back to the beginning — his first-ever job at just 12 years old, learning to code, navigating school and ultimately dropping out of college because he had no interest in what was being taught. From there, we trace his unconventional path to becoming one of Ireland’s most respected tech founders.

We go deep on Manna — how the operation actually works day to day, the global expansion plans and Bobby’s ambitious moonshot to make Manna the largest drone delivery business in the world. He openly shares what it’s like taking venture capital for the first time, why he decided to do it, the trade-offs involved and the current burn rate required to build something truly category-defining.

This episode is packed with insight on hiring and firing at scale. Bobby explains his hiring philosophy, including his obsession with “downloading people’s brains” during final-round interviews, how he evaluates raw potential over credentials and whether he’d hire someone straight out of the Junior Cert. We also discuss boards, giving up shares and the real benefits strong governance can bring when done properly.

One of the standout moments is Bobby’s story about running an incubator of 25 Leaving Cert students — and how several of those students still work with him today. It leads into a powerful conversation on what’s broken in the education system, what he would change and how he believes a more modern, skills-first approach should look for young people.

We also ask the big questions:

• Would he ever sell Manna?

• What does he look for in people he wants to work for him?

• How should founders think about capital, control, and ambition?

To round things out, Bobby shares how he spends his downtime — often coding or “vibe coding”, constantly learning, building, and experimenting.

If you’re interested in building businesses, hiring exceptional people, raising capital, or thinking differently about education and work, this episode is not to be missed.

Connect with Bobby

Twitter: https://x.com/realBobbyHealy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhealy?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

Manna: https://www.manna.aero/

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally.

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters.

IT.ie — trusted IT support and managed services, delivering reliable technology solutions that keep businesses connected, secure, and running smoothly.

HERE WE GO!

Are you interested in sharing your career journey on the podcast? Whether you're keen to talk about your path or promote a specific job or career route, we'd love to hear from you.

Drop us a line at [email protected] — we’ll get the coffees in! ☕

Sponsorships: Want to partner? Reach out to us at [email protected]