The Irish VC

In this episode, we dive into Pre Budget chat with our host Sarah-Jane Larkin and our guest Martina Fitzgerald, current CEO of Scale Ireland & former RTE political correspondent. They share valuable insights on Martina's career from journalist to CEO, The impact of Scale Ireland on start-up's, shaping policy for the start-up eco system, the role of funding in start-up growth, proposed changes for the budget, the importance of female representation in start-ups & some final thoughts. Tune in for an engaging conversation that promises to inform and inspire.

In this episode, our host Marie Nolan chats with Marie Donnellan, former EY Director and current CEO of Platform 94. (Yes, 2 Marie's on the podcast!)

Marie shares insights into what Galway based Platform 94 does, the industries they collaborate with, and how they help both indigenous and foreign businesses scale. They also dive into the importance of work-life balance, and Marie answers some fun, quick-fire questions to close out the conversation.

In this episode, Sarah Jane Larkin - Director General of the Irish Venture Capital & Private Equity Association chats with IVCA & Level 20 Members, Jennifer McMahon partner at Seroba and Laura Dillon Partner at Waterland Private Equity Ireland.

This discussion is a Level 20 themed conversation, discussing careers in Venture Capital and Private Equity, including getting more gender parity and increasing

In this episode, our host Marie chats to Irish legend and superstar athlete Derval O'Rourke. Derval competed for Ireland in numerous European, World and Olympic Championships. They chat about the success of the Irish team at the European Athletics Championships that just happened over the last few days in Rome! How these athletes prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games?! They then take a step back in time to young Derval O'Rourke growing up in Cork and moving to Dublin to study & train in UCD. Transitioning from professional athlete to entrepreneur, providing advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to get their ideas off the ground and giving some insights on available supports out there! Finishing off with some closing thoughts from Derval & a random fire round questions at the end!

This podcast was recorded in Google HQ Dublin, Ireland, in front of a live audience. Tune in for a captivating discussion on 'Tech Tomorrow' with our incredible host Sarah Jane Larkin, Director General of the IVCA & podcast guests including:

🔹 Elliott Griffin - CEO of Business Venture Partners (BVP)

🔹 Sonia Neary - CEO of Wellola

🔹 Mark LIttle - Ex Broadcaster/ Co -Founder Storyful & Kinzen/ Spotify / Technology Leader

🔹Aidan McClean - CEO of UFODRIVE

In Episode 15, we delve into the world of "Tech Tomorrow," exploring its impact on mobility, healthcare, IT, and beyond. From innovations to the ethical dilemmas and everything in between, we cover the good, the bad, and what keeps us awake at night when it comes to technology.

In this episode, Sarah Jane Larkin talks with Irelands Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath.

- What he considers the biggest policy win for Ireland as a country

- The importance of homegrown ventures for Irelands economy

- Supports for innovation/entrepreneurship, and those who back them!

- Saving for rainy days

- How best we can bolster Irelands economic resilience

- As Minister for Finance, what keeps him awake at night!

- The prudence of learning from economic lessons of the past

- Irelands key role on the international economic stage

- Work/life balance, pastimes and...why politics?

In this episode, Marie Nolan speaks with Mark Ganly, CEO & founder of N-Pro. They discuss the technology which N-pro have created within scrumcaps which are currently undergoing the largest clinical trial in world rugby as it relates to head protection. N-pro are the only company in the world to qualify for this trial passing the strict criteria set by World Rugby. They also discuss future plans for the company emerging into other sports, Marks Entrepreneurial insights, and advice for anyone at the early stages of setting up a company and navigating the fundraising process. They conclude with some predictions for the Rugby 6 nations as well as some final random questions about Mark.

In this episode Sarah Jane Larkin speaks with Elaine Coughlan, founder and managing partner of Atlantic Bridge. They discuss how and why she founded Atlantic Bridge, advice for startups seeking investment and the differences between the Irish and U.S tech ecosystem and what we could learn from it. 

In this episode Finn Hatherell speaks with Niamh Donnelly the Chief Robotics Officer at Akara Robotics.

They discuss the difficulty in scaling a hardware focused tech company, why robotics could be the next major tech boom after AI and how it could potentially revolutionise the healthcare sector.