The Irish VC

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This podcast will bring you the latest interviews from some of the leading figures within the venture capital landscape in Ireland and abroad. Our interviews focus on a diverse range of people from founders to investors. The goal is to find out about the highs and lows of each individual's journey to date and to give our audience a unique insight into the different elements of our ecosystem.

30 JAN

The Irish VC ep34: State of Venture Capital in 2026

In this episode of the Irish VC podcast, host Sarah Jane Larkin discusses the current state of venture capital in 2026 with industry experts Elliott Griffin, Gillian Buckley, and Amy Neale. They explore the challenges and opportunities in the global and Irish VC landscape, the impact of AI on investment strategies, and provide valuable advice for founders navigating the fundraising environment. The conversation highlights the importance of access to capital, the evolution of the Irish VC market, and the need for a focus on commercialisation skills and disciplined financial management. Chapters 00:00 State of Venture Capital in 2026 07:24 The Evolution of Irish Venture Capital 16:13 The Impact of AI on Investment 23:00 Advice for Founders in 2026 35:05 Navigating the Exit Environment 42:38 sportsRecreation-intro-high-short.wav

43 min
04/12/2025

The Irish VC ep33: FAQ's on EIIS 2025 with BVP Investments

In this conversation, Marie Nolan interviews Stephen Tully, CFO of BVP Investments, to demystify and talk through some frequently asked questions around the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS). They discuss the benefits of EIIS, including tax relief for investors, and highlight a successful case study of Astatine, a company that has significantly grown with BVP's support. The conversation also covers BVP's investment strategy, the types of companies they target, and the application process for potential investors. Tune in now, it's a short and snappy one if you want to find out more about this tax relief investment opportunity. The BVP EIIS Fund is open for investment until the 31st December! Check out www.bvp.ie for more information! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to EIS and BVP Investments 01:52 Success Story: Astatine and Its Growth 04:55 Understanding Tax Relief and Investment Risks 09:50 BVP's Investment Strategy and Sector Focus 14:35 Investor Profiles and Application Process 18:29 FAQs and Early Exit Opportunities

17 min
30/10/2025

The Irish VC ep32: From Pharma to VC - Insights with Caroline Gaynor of Lightstone VC

In this episode of The Irish VC, Caroline Gaynor (Guest), Partner of Lightstone VC emphasises the importance of building a strong support network for founders, particularly those who are first-time entrepreneurs. Sarah Jane Larkin (Host) & Caroline both highlight the challenges of lacking a track record and the need for guidance from experienced individuals. Additionally, Caroline stresses the often-overlooked necessity of having a well-thought-out fundraising strategy, urging founders to understand the funding landscape and the various players involved. Tune in now! #BVP #TheIrishVC #IVCA #Entrepreneur #VentureCapital

33 min
26/09/2025

The Irish VC ep31: With Denise Sidhu, Director & Partner at Kernel Capital

In this episode, Denise Sidhu, Director and Partner at Kernel Capital, shares her journey into venture capital, discussing the lessons learned over her 20-year career. She highlights the current state of the venture capital landscape in Ireland, the challenges faced by startups, particularly in securing funding, and the importance of perseverance and optimism. Denise also advocates for increased support for women in entrepreneurship and offers valuable advice for founders and aspiring investors. Chapters 00:00Denise Sidhu's Journey into Venture Capital 05:39Lessons from 20 Years in Venture Capital 06:07Current State of the Irish Venture Capital Landscape 08:35Exciting Sectors in Irish Venture Capital 12:21Challenges Faced by Irish Founders 19:13Advocating for Women in Entrepreneurship 22:09Advice for Aspiring Founders 24:53Transitioning into Venture Capital 26:52Final Thoughts and Community Support

28 min
01/09/2025

The Irish VC ep30: Branding for Start-ups! The Balancing Act - Product vs. Brand.

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Munster Technology University (MTU) in Cork. In this episode of the Irish VC podcast, the panel comprising of Hilary O'Shea from Otonomee, Alison MacSweeney from Brandhive & Ryan O'Neill from LegitFit discusses the critical role of branding for start-ups, emphasising the balance between product development and brand identity. They explore strategies for building a brand on a budget, the impact of cultural identity on branding, and the importance of authenticity. The conversation also touches on common branding mistakes, the value of a strong online presence, and how purpose-driven companies can attract talent and customer loyalty. Insights from various founders highlight the evolving landscape of branding and marketing in today's competitive environment. Chapters below: 00:00 Introduction to the Irish VC Podcast 03:00 The Role of Branding in Startups 06:04 Product vs. Brand: The Startup Dilemma 08:51 Building a Brand with Limited Resources 12:09 Scaling a Brand Globally 14:58 The Impact of Irish Identity on Branding 17:54 Valuing Brand in Investment 20:52 Mistakes in Branding and Marketing 23:43 The Importance of Authenticity in Branding 26:59 The Future of Branding and Marketing Strategies 30:02 Final Thoughts on Branding and Purpose

56 min
31/07/2025

The Irish VC ep29: Fireside chat with Brian Thornes, from orthopaedic surgeon to Inventor!

In this short episode of the Irish VC, Mark Farrelly of HBAN (Halo Business Angel Network) has a fireside chat with Brian Thornes. From orthopaedic surgeon to Inventor & CEO, Brian tells us about the ground-breaking development of the X-Bolt hip fracture system. Discover how this innovative technology is transforming orthopaedic care around the world, offering enhanced stability and faster recovery for patients. For any angel investors interested in potentially investing in this company, please email hello@bvp.ie for further information. Enjoy the episode!

17 min
30/06/2025

The Irish VC ep28: Ireland as a launchpad @NovaUCD

Welcome to this special edition of The Irish VC recorded in front of a live audience at NovaUCD, the hub of innovation at University College Dublin. Hosted by Mark Farrelly of HBAN & joined by 3 fantastic founders on the guest panel, Alan Barry (PlasmaBound), Apoorva Kumar (InspeqAI) & Dr Harriet Treacy (Beyond BMI). This podcast episode explores the vibrant startup ecosystem in Ireland, featuring insights from founders in health tech, AI, and advanced materials. The discussion covers their journeys, the challenges they face, and the opportunities available in the Irish innovation landscape. Key themes include the importance of funding, the role of support organizations, and the need for cultural and legislative changes to foster entrepreneurship. The episode highlights Ireland's strengths in MedTech and the evolving HealthTech sector, as well as the potential for AI to disrupt various industries! Tune in and enjoy!

1h 2m
30/05/2025

The Irish VC ep27: LegitFit - Building a Fitness Tech Empire, Ryan's Story

In this podcast, Ryan O'Neill, Co-founder and CEO of LegitFit, shares his journey from a background in Big Pharma to the fitness tech industry. He discusses the inception of LegitFit, emphasising the importance of customer feedback in product development. Ryan elaborates on the challenges of scaling a startup in a small market like Ireland, the significance of funding, and the strategies employed to grow the business. He also highlights the company culture and future plans for expansion into new markets.Tune in Now!

33 min

This podcast will bring you the latest interviews from some of the leading figures within the venture capital landscape in Ireland and abroad. Our interviews focus on a diverse range of people from founders to investors. The goal is to find out about the highs and lows of each individual's journey to date and to give our audience a unique insight into the different elements of our ecosystem.

Creator

BVP
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

35
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© BVP
Show Website

The Irish VC