https://irishstartupweek.com/ Calling all Irish founders and New York tech enthusiasts! This episode is your one-stop shop for everything Irish Startup Week NYC 2024. We delve into this exciting event designed to bridge the gap between the Irish and NYC startup ecosystems. First, we chat with Chris Walla, formerly of Dogpatch Labs and the mastermind behind Irish Startup Week. Chris shares the inspiration behind the event, highlights from the successful 2023 edition, and what attendees can expect this October. He also offers invaluable advice for Irish startups looking to scale in the US and make the most of their Irish Startup Week experience. Next, we hear from Marie Toft, founder of Emotionise.AI, who attended the 2023 event. Marie provides a firsthand perspective, discussing the event's impact, the connections she made, and how she plans to leverage them to propel Emotionise.AI forward. Plus, she shares tips to help attendees get the most out of Irish Startup Week NYC 2024. Whether you're a seasoned founder or a curious entrepreneur, this episode will equip you with the knowledge to: Understand the vision and goals of Irish Startup Week NYC. Learn from the experiences of past attendees and organizers. Discover key takeaways and success strategies for Irish startups in the US market. Gain insights on maximizing your networking opportunities at the event. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with the vibrant Irish and NYC tech communities! Tune in and get ready to take your startup journey to the next level!

Who's on today's episode: On May 2nd we hosted “Designing Revenue: Lessons from Spotify’s Gearóid O’Rourke“, at Spotify’s incredible offices at 4 World Trade Center. ​Gearóid is a Design Director at Spotify, where he leads the team building Spotify’s Advertising Platform. Advertising on Spotify allows more that 350M people worldwide access all of Spotify’s content for free. ---- irishstartupweek.com We are thrilled to announce the launch of Irish Startup Week 2024! Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, this year’s Irish Startup Week will take place from October 1st through 3rd, featuring a curated series of public and private events designed to strengthen the bond between the Irish and NYC startup ecosystems. Registration for Irish Startup Week 2024 is now open until July 2nd, 2024. We’re delighted to welcome Granite Digital as our newest sponsor of Digital Irish. Granite’s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to collaborating on exciting initiatives that will benefit our members. ​​The Digital Irish Summer Drinks is a chance to network, meet new people and make connections within the Irish Tech and Digital community in London. ​​Taking place during London Tech Week, we are keeping this one agenda free to make space for quality chats over drinks. Numbers are limited to don't miss the chance to join us by registering now. ​This is collaboration with and co-hosted by Taylor Wessing, Enterprise Ireland and Sonalake!

This episode dives into the fascinating career journey of Sarah Surgenor, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Sarah Surgenor is passionate about changing how behavioral healthcare is accessed and discussed. A communications expert with 20 years of national and international experience, Sarah began her career working in television production and program development for Ireland’s national television station, before moving to healthcare communications.  As Head of Communications and Fundraising for St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Sarah created the communications and marketing department and spent a decade establishing the service as Ireland’s foremost mental healthcare provider. In the US, Sarah has been a communications leader in the for profit and not-for-profit sectors.  In her current position as the Vice President of Marketing Communications, Sarah defines and develops strategic marketing communications for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. We explore: Her surprising pivot from Irish television production to mental health communications. The contrasting landscapes of mental health support in Ireland vs. the US. Promising practices and trends emerging in mental healthcare. Sarah's vision for the future of mental health and her own aspirations within the field. Join us for an insightful conversation that breaks down barriers and sheds light on the ever-evolving world of mental health! Want to get in contact? Email us at [email protected]

On March 26th 2024, we hosted “From Northern Ireland to the C-Suite of Silicon Valley: A Discussion With Sarah Friar” in New York City. ​Sarah Friar is Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor where she leads a team that revolutionizes the way people connect and build community. Before joining Nextdoor, Sarah served as CFO at Square, SVP of Finance & Strategy at Salesforce, and lead software analyst and Business Unit Leader at Goldman Sachs.  ​While serving as CFO at Square, Sarah launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30B in market cap. She sits on the boards of directors of Walmart and ConsenSys, as well as the advisory boards of HOPE Global and the Blavatnik School of Government. She is the co-founder of Ladies Who Launch, a nonprofit that celebrates and empowers women and non-binary entrepreneurs. Sarah earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar. She holds an honorary doctorate from Ulster University and in 2019 was granted an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to entrepreneurship.  ​Sarah is from Northern Ireland, has lived in South Africa, and now lives in Northern California with her husband and two children. This episode is a live-recording of the event with Sarah, in conversation with Digital Irish and CNN Underscored's Rachel Quigley.

In this episode, we delve into the thriving Irish startup scene and the role of alternative investments in fueling its growth. We're joined by Alan Merriman, the Co-Founder and CEO of Elkstone, Ireland's alternative investment specialists, who leads a team of over 60 professionals dedicated to crafting bespoke investment solutions for diverse clientele, including entrepreneurs, executives, institutions, and, crucially, the Irish Diaspora. Unpacking the Irish Advantage: We explore the key factors that led Elkstone to broaden its focus on the Irish market, capitalizing on its unique position and expertise. Alan elaborates on the strategic decision to expand across all three of Elkstone's business lines, venturing beyond a single focus. We delve into specific sectors within the alternative investment landscape that hold promise and align with Elkstone's mission. Bridging the Gap: Empowering the Diaspora: We unpack Elkstone's commitment to forging a stronger connection with the Irish Diaspora, fostering their involvement in alternative investments. Alan sheds light on how Elkstone measures the impact of its investments, not just in terms of economic value but also on the overall well-being of Ireland and its broader mission of enabling impactful investments. Join us for an insightful conversation that sheds light on: The evolving Irish alternative investment landscape and its exciting potential. How Elkstone tailors investments for diverse clients, including the Irish Diaspora. Elkstone's approach to measuring the impact of its investments beyond just financial returns. Tune in and discover how Ireland is becoming a hub for innovation and how you can be part of its journey!

In this episode, we chat with Caitríona Perry, the acclaimed Irish journalist and current Chief Presenter for BBC News. Caitríona, an award-winning journalist with deep experience covering both Ireland and the United States, offers a unique perspective on the complex relationship between these two nations. The conversation then shifts to Caitríona's experience with BBC News, a global media powerhouse. We discuss the mission and values that guide BBC's journalistic approach, and how they strive to deliver informative and engaging news for a diverse international audience. Caitríona also offers her expert perspective on the challenges and opportunities of storytelling in today's interconnected world. She provides valuable insights on how to effectively communicate complex issues to a global audience while maintaining accuracy, impartiality, and cultural sensitivity. Join us for a stimulating conversation that explores the intersection of international relations, media responsibility, and the power of storytelling in a globalized world. More About Caitríona Perry Caitríona Perry is a multi- award-winning Irish journalist.  She is Chief Presenter with BBC News, broadcasting daily from Washington DC to a global audience. She joined the BBC in August 2023 from RTÉ – Ireland’s national public service broadcaster where she was the presenter of the country’s main evening news programme and anchor of special event programmes, including leading the coverage of US elections and the visit to Ireland by President Joe Biden. Prior to that, she was RTÉ’s US Correspondent based in Washington DC where she covered the Obama-Biden and the Trump-Pence administrations, the 2016 elections and all aspects of US economic, political, cultural and sporting life. She has written two best-selling and critically acclaimed books on US politics ('In America: Tales from Trump Country' and 'The Tribe: The Inside Story of Irish Power and Influence in US politics'). She’s also worked as a broadcast news correspondent, documentary maker and a programme editor. She has reported for radio, tv, digital and social platforms from Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Australia.  Digital Irish hosts Celebration of Irish Founders at the Embassy of Ireland in London https://digitalirish.com/icymi-a-celebration-of-irish-founders-at-the-embassy-of-ireland/ For the first time, Digital Irish was at the Embassy of Ireland in London, hosted by Ambassador Martin Fraser. This special occasion brought together London’s Irish innovators from startups, corporates, and venture capital firms, with the aim of strengthening our community ties. At the heart of the event was a panel discussion featuring some of the city’s top Irish founders, who shared their stories and the lessons learned on their entrepreneurial journeys. We also used the event as a rallying call to action for everyone in attendance to think about how they can build a better community for all by paying it forward. 

Have you ever wondered what it's like to leave the fast-paced world of the private sector for the impactful, yet complex, realm of public service? In this episode, we chat with Niall Brennan, the Senior Advisor for Data Strategy to the CDC Director, who made exactly that switch. We delve into their motivations for this career shift, and explore their experience in Washington DC. In his role, Niall provides guidance to the CDC Director on the multi-billion dollar CDC Data Modernization Initiative (DMI), as well as working directly with CDC Centers and Offices to accelerate implementation of the DMI. Prior to coming to CDC, Brennan was Chief Analytics and Privacy Officer at Clarify Health, where he led Clarify’s analytics and informatics strategy. He joined Clarify following his role as president and CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, from 2017–2022, and previously served as the Chief Data Officer at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, from 2010–2017, where he led the Obama administration’s healthcare transparency efforts, built an advanced analytics enterprise, and played a key role in implementing numerous Affordable Care Act provisions, including the Qualified Entity Program and the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. He has also worked for numerous leading think tanks and Congressional advisory bodies. Brennan is a graduate of Georgetown University’s MPP program and has an undergraduate degree from University College Dublin. Join us for a fascinating conversation that explores leadership, purpose, and the power of making a difference, all through the lens of a remarkable individual's journey.

www.akara.ai  In this episode, we sit down with Niamh Donnelly, the visionary co-founder of Akara Robotics, a trailblazing company at the forefront of healthcare automation. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of revolutionizing cleaning and sanitization in care homes and hospitals. Niamh Donnelly is a co-founder and Chief Robotics Officer at Akara Robotics, a healthcare robotics company building groundbreaking technology to enhance infection control and patient safety in hospitals. Niamh holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering and a Masters in AI and Machine learning. She has previously held engineering positions at Etsy and Syze (AI start-up based in Dublin) and has also worked as an AI consultant at some of the biggest insurance and banking firms in Ireland.  She has won national awards for her AI research in the area of Convolutional Neural Networks, was named by Silicon Republic as one of "20 women doing fascinating work in AI, machine learning and data science" and was awarded the prestigious 'EU Top Rising Innovator' award by the European Commission. At Akara, Niamh oversees the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning. She played a key role in the development and validation of the 'Stevie' robot, which featured on the cover of Time magazine in 2019. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the transformative power of robotics in healthcare, and how Akara Robotics is leading the way towards a new era of smart, efficient, and hygienic care environments. This is an episode you won't want to miss—empowering, enlightening, and at the cutting edge of healthcare innovation!

www.mediahq.com In this episode of the Digital Irish Podcast, join us in a captivating conversation with Jack Murray, the visionary CEO and Founder of MediaHQ. From the charming landscapes of Ireland to the forefront of media innovation, Jack shares his journey and the profound impact his Irish roots had on shaping his love for storytelling. As we delve into the roots of his passion, Jack unveils the inspiration behind establishing MediaHQ and how this platform is revolutionizing the way stories are told in the digital age. Discover the challenges he faced, the milestones he conquered, and the invaluable lessons learned on his entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just embarking on your narrative journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Join us for a conversation that transcends borders and explores the boundless possibilities of storytelling in the digital era. Buy your copy of The Magic Slice here: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Slice-Master-Storytelling-Business-ebook/dp/B09HZFKYKY/

Join us for a dynamic discussion with leading experts from Ireland's booming Fintech scene. We'll dive into the powerful synergy between government, academia, and businesses, exploring how they're: Sparking a culture of innovation: Discover how government initiatives and organizations like Enterprise Ireland are nurturing a fertile ground for disruptive Fintech solutions. Building the talent pipeline: Learn how universities and research institutions are equipping the next generation of talent with the skills and knowledge to conquer the global market. Fostering collaboration: Dive into the unique partnerships between established financial institutions and startups, driving rapid development and market adoption. Scaling for global impact: Unravel the secrets behind Irish Fintech companies' success in expanding beyond their borders and leaving their mark on the world stage. Our panel includes: Conor White, Daon, https://www.daon.com/ - Conor is part of the core team that founded Daon. He joined the company as Chief Technology Officer in 2001 with the goal of designing and delivering trusted experiences that put human beings back at the center of digital transactions. In 2015, Conor accepted the role of President of the Americas, where he led all Daon activities across North, South, and Latin America. Then, in 2023, he accepted the role of President, New Industries, where he leads efforts to find Daon’s “next big thing.” Patrick Horgan, Valid8me, https://www.valid8me.com/ - CEO and Co-Founder of valid8Me. Patrick is responsible for leading the development and global rollout of valid8Me, comprising general operations, business development strategy, and client relationships. Patrick is an experienced leader in the investment management and professional services industries, recognized for building and leading teams to deliver sustainable business value. Stephen Walsh, Keeper Solutions, https://keepersolutions.com/ - Stephen Edward Walsh has been working in the IT industry since 1994. In 2011, they founded Keeper Solutions Worldwide, providing high-quality tailored fixed-price managed services to corporates, scaling tech firms and fintechs. Our guest host on the podcast is Maria Gagic - who is currently SVP of Financial Technology and Services in the Enterprise Ireland New York office; Maria’s role is to support Irish Fintech companies to start and scale their businesses in the USA