ThinkBusiness.ie

The music industry has always been shaped by technology — but today, the pace and scale of change is unlike anything we’ve seen before.

From the early days of mobile music to the rise of streaming, and now the disruptive force of artificial intelligence, the question is no longer just how music is made or distributed—but how it is owned, protected, and valued.

Few people have had a front-row seat to that evolution quite like Andrew Melchior.

With more than two decades at the intersection of music, technology and digital culture, Andrew has played a pivotal role in some landmark moments—from bringing music to Nokia mobile phones to producing the global live broadcast of David Bowie’s Reality Tour. Today, as CTO of Massive Attack and founder of Genotone, he is focused on tackling one of the industry’s most urgent challenges: safeguarding creativity in the age of AI.

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, we explore Andrew’s journey through the music industry, what the future holds for artists, and how innovations like digital audio watermarking could redefine ownership and trust in an AI-driven world.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Today, we’re exploring one of Ireland’s quieter global success stories—where finance, technology, and aviation intersect.

I’m joined by Teddy Murphy, founder and CEO of Miagen, a Dublin-based company whose financial planning platform is used by CFOs to model complex decisions and maximise performance. Its reach is remarkable—supporting financial modelling for roughly one in five of the world’s leased aircraft, representing around €100 billion in assets.

We’ll discuss how financial modelling and AI are reshaping decision-making, Miagen’s expansion into elite football, and Teddy’s own journey—from pitching Etihad in Abu Dhabi to building a globally ambitious company from Dublin.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Ireland’s transition to electric vehicles is gathering pace, but for many drivers, the
journey from curiosity to commitment has often felt complicated. Understanding costs, comparing models, and figuring out finance can still be barriers to making the switch.

Now, Bank of Ireland, in partnership with Nevo, is aiming to change that with the launch of Ireland’s first
dedicated EV marketplace. Designed as a one-stop digital platform, it brings together everything a
potential EV buyer needs in one place, from education and vehicle comparison to financing options and test drive bookings.

The timing reflects a clear shift in consumer behaviour. EV lending growth is surging, charging usage is rising sharply, and more Irish drivers are looking seriously at going electric, driven in part by higher fuel costs and a growing focus on sustainability.

In this episode, we explore how this new marketplace is designed to meet those needs and what it could mean for the future of EV adoption in Ireland.

I’m joined by Karen Kennedy from Bank of Ireland and Simon Andreucetti from Nevo to discuss how the platform works, why now is the right moment, and how it aims to make switching to electric simpler, more
transparent, and more accessible for Irish drivers.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

When Irish tech firm CalypsoAI was acquired by global security giant F5 for $180 million, the spotlight landed on its AI security technology – but there’s a deeper story behind the deal.

In fast-moving categories like AI, it’s not just what you build, but how you’re perceived. CalypsoAI didn’t just compete in AI security – it helped define it. And that positioning can directly influence who gets acquired, and for how much.

Today, we’re exploring the role of brand as a strategic asset – one that shapes trust, narrative, and ultimately valuation.

I’m joined by Donnchadh Casey, CEO of CalypsoAI, and David Blendis, Strategy Director at Rowdy Studio.

Together, they’ll unpack why brand isn’t just marketing - it’s leverage.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the evolving world of finance operations and the growing strategic importance of Accounts Payable in the Office of the CFO.

I’m joined by Paul Kearns, CEO of Irish software company Kefron, which has more than 30 years’ experience helping organisations manage and protect critical business information. Paul leads the development of Kefron AP, an accounts payable automation solution designed to bring greater accuracy, control and visibility to invoice processing – helping finance teams work smarter, not harder.

We explore how the role of Accounts Payable is shifting from a back-office function to a strategic enabler of business insight, and what that means for finance leaders today. Paul shares his perspective on the impact of AI - whether it will replace roles or redefine them – and how organisations can scale their AP operations without adding headcount.

We also discuss how automation can deliver fast, low-risk gains in productivity, improve data accuracy, and strengthen audit readiness at a time when invoice volumes and compliance demands are only increasing.

If you’re a CFO, finance leader, or part of a team looking to modernise your AP processes, this is a conversation packed with practical insight.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, Oishi founder Ciara Troy shares the real story behind building one of Ireland’s best known food businesses, from early mistakes and near burnout to scaling sustainably. Joined by Lucy Ryan, Head of Food & Beverage at Bank of Ireland, this episode explores funding, margins, resilience and what it really takes to grow a food brand in Ireland.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Today, we’re exploring the growing momentum behind Ireland’s bioeconomy – a space where agriculture, energy, and sustainability intersect to create new opportunities.

From biomethane and renewable fuels to circular farming systems and new revenue streams, this is about rethinking how we use resources – and how we build a more sustainable future.

In this episode, we hear from leaders across finance, farming, and industry, recorded at the All-Island Bioeconomy Summit which took place at Johnstown House in County Meath recently.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Ireland is fast becoming one of the most AI-enabled economies in the world — with over 90% of organisations already using or planning to use artificial intelligence. But beneath that headline success story, a more complex picture is emerging.

A new report from Trinity College Dublin and Microsoft Ireland reveals a growing divide: while large organisations are accelerating ahead — unlocking thousands of hours of productivity every month — many SMEs are still stuck in the early stages of adoption.

And that gap isn’t just technical — it’s about skills, strategy, and ultimately, the future competitiveness of the Irish economy.

So what does this ‘two-speed AI economy’ really mean? Why are SMEs struggling to keep pace — and what needs to change to unlock the next wave of growth? Today, I’m joined by Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Ireland, who’s right at the centre of this conversation.

We’ll discuss what the data really tells us, where Irish businesses are getting AI right — and where they risk falling behind.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

We are joined by Alan Dunne, founder of Archive Capital, for a wide-ranging conversation on how investors are navigating an increasingly uncertain world.

From shifting market dynamics to structural challenges in Ireland, we explore what’s really on investors’ minds right now – and whether traditional approaches to investing are still fit for purpose.

We dig into some of the big questions facing Irish wealth today: with over €170 billion sitting on deposit, is too much capital standing still? Are Irish investors still overly tied to property? And how does the wealth management landscape here compare to what’s available globally?

Alan also shares his perspective on where opportunities are being missed, how to think about exposure to the US in the current environment, and whether institutional investors approach things differently – and if they should.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Ireland is at near full employment—but beneath that headline success lies a stark contradiction. Around one in five people in Ireland lives with a disability, yet fewer than half of those of working age are in employment, creating one of the widest disability employment gaps in the European Union.

It’s a gap that isn’t about talent or ambition—but about how our systems, workplaces, and policies have been designed.

A new report from the Open Doors Initiative, From Awareness to Action, argues that closing this gap isn’t just a social issue—it’s an economic and leadership imperative. It calls for a shift away from traditional corporate social responsibility toward what it terms Corporate Social Justice: embedding inclusion into the very core of how organisations hire, manage, and lead.

And the prize is significant—not just for individuals facing an additional €8,000–€12,000 a year in the cost of disability—but for businesses too, with research showing more inclusive organisations are more productive and more profitable.

To unpack all of this, I’m joined today by Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of the Open Doors Initiative—an organisation working at the intersection of business, government and lived experience to build a more inclusive workforce.

Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.