InterTrade Ireland Venture Capital Conference 2022 from Croke Park

It really was an action-packed afternoon today at InterTradeIreland Venture Capital Conference today at Croke Park.

We started with Martin McVicar pointing out the opportunity that can accompany adversity.
 

Next David Bowles discussed seed tech with Paula Newell, Declan Kelly Lucy O'Keeffe Dr. Liz M. Daniel,  Izquierdo Hijazi and Carol Rossborough. They talked about the role of pre-seed for product-market fit, mentoring for parent founders and flexibility for staff.

Next, Peter Foley and Alan Merriman talked about the importance of execution that leads to success, how the relationship of the seed investors evolves at different rounds and levering your supppy chain to absorb demand.

Dr. Nora K. discussed how 97% of public health money is invested in curing rather than preventing disease and how Nuritas is keeping its vision very clear while using data and customer conversations to make sequentially logical decisions to get there.

Mary McKenna, MBE led a conversation about agility and growth with Niamh Parker, Conor O'Loughlin, Ann Hunt, Alan Holland, Ben Harris and Alan Foreman. They talked about how customers grant validation in the market, comfort with your financial model and being world class while learning from other business cultures.

Ken Cahill shared the importance of reciprocal trust and insight between the acquirer and target. He encouraged us to remember that “nostalgia is history without the pain”, outlined how to push harder than everyone else and emphasised the journey a founder’s spouse also takes as part of the business.

Áine Denn gave super insights into sales processes, discipline and rigour. She highlighted the long reaching impact of a culture of “keeping your promises” and illuminated how companies may not know there is a strategic disconnect.

Aidan Corbett characterised the US market and shared his key tips for recruiting sales staff. Brendan Noud talked through his content marketing strategy. Niall Twomey showcased how your mentors and customers can become your investors. Rory O'Connor talked through how the business model canvas with market research can point the way forward. Cian Ó Maidín talked about how to have an impossible problem that you’ve no choice but to solve.

Finally Eoghan McCabe talked to me about ambition, the mind-opening effect of seeing how big business is grown around the world, how to obsess about product-market fit and how to really think about the relationship you have with your co-founders. We talked about the Irish ecosystem and why it’s so important to let your goals, hopes and dreams to the surface.

It’s been phenomenal to work with Drew O'Sullivan, Gary Stokes, Jane Watson, Shane O'Hanlon, Kimberley O'Hare and so many more people who’ve poured such effort into making #VCC2022 a success. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing experience.

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