Digital Irish Podcast

Digital Irish
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  • BUSINESS
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The Digital Irish Podcast tells a global story of Irish innovation. Successful Irish entrepreneurs, corporate innovators, and global leaders share their journey on the path to success within Ireland and abroad.

  1. MAY 6

    How Irish Founders Win Globally with Marty Loughlin, Digital Irish Venture Fund

    Marty Loughlin from the Digital Irish Venture Fund joins Dave to unpack what makes Irish founders default to global markets from day one, why Ireland punches so far above its weight on founder output, and what the next wave of Irish startups crossing the Atlantic means for the US-Irish business ecosystem. If you're an Irish founder thinking about scaling internationally, or anyone curious about why Stripe, Wayflyer and Tynes aren't accidents, this one's for you. Marty Loughlin is a partner at the Digital Irish Venture Fund (DIVF), the fund built on the back of the Digital Irish Angels investment group, founded in 2016. DIVF backs Irish founders scaling globally with a particular focus on those entering the US market, drawing on a network of Irish-American business leaders across the diaspora. What We Cover Why Irish founders default to global from day one How founder ambition has shifted in the last five years The biggest mistakes Irish founders make breaking into the US What DIVF looks for, and why traction matters most

    41 min

  2. APR 30

    Funding is a Tool, Not the Finish Line with Jeremy Harper, ERA

    This is the second episode in Digital Irish’s Venture Capital and Fundraising Demystified series: designed to pull back the curtain on raising capital for Irish founders and give you the confidence to walk into any funding conversation knowing exactly what’s on the other side of the table. In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Harper, Partner and Director of Investments at ERA — the Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator in New York City. ERA has been running for 15 years, backing around 30 companies a year, and has a remarkable track record: roughly 80% of companies that go through the programme go on to raise follow-on capital. Jeremy has been at ERA for nearly all of that journey. He brings deep pattern recognition on what separates founders who succeed at raising from those who struggle — and a lot of it comes down to one core mindset shift: funding is a tool, not the finish line. We dive deep into: What an accelerator actually does beyond the cheque — and how ERA’s in-person, intensive model prepares founders for venture funding. Why investors don’t want to hear how you’ll spend the money — and what they actually want to hear instead. How to structure your investor updates — including why you need two separate lists and what goes in each. How to protect your equity across multiple funding rounds and avoid the painful scenario of selling your company for millions but walking away with very little. What ERA actually looks for in applications — and the one thing that catches their attention every time. If you’re an Irish founder thinking about raising venture capital — whether that’s tomorrow or two years from now — this episode will change how you think about the whole process. Part of Digital Irish’s ongoing series demystifying venture capital for Irish founders. Jeremy Harper is Partner and Director of Investments at ERA (Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator), one of New York City’s most established early-stage accelerators. He has been with ERA for nearly 14 years and has worked with hundreds of founders across every stage of the venture journey. ERA runs two cohorts per year, backing around 30 companies annually, and has built a 15-year track record of helping founders get venture-ready. Around 80% of ERA graduates go on to raise follow-on capital after the programme. To learn more about ERA or get in touch with Jeremy directly, visit eranyc.com. Want to get in contact with us? Email podcast@digitalirish.com

    53 min

  3. APR 21

    The Early Relationship: A VC's Perspective on Supporting Irish Founders with Amy Neale

    This episode is the first part of our series designed to demystify venture capital for Irish founders — pulling back the curtain on how VCs really think, what they look for, and how to build relationships with them long before you ever need to raise. In this episode, we sit down with Amy Neale, Delta Partners, one of Ireland’s most active early-stage venture capital firms. Amy works closely with ambitious founders from the earliest stages of their journey, often well before they are ready to raise a formal round. Amy shares her perspective on what makes a great founding team, how they think about supporting companies from the very beginning, and the types of opportunities they are most excited about right now. We dive deep into: How Amy approaches early-stage investing and what they look for in founders. Why they prefer to meet founders early and what that relationship looks like. The sectors and technologies they are most excited about in the Irish ecosystem today. Practical advice for Irish founders thinking about their funding journey. If you’re building a technology company in Ireland or thinking about raising investment, this episode is packed with insights and a clear signal on how to get on Delta Partners’ radar. ===== Amy Neale is a Partner at Delta Partners, one of Ireland’s leading early-stage venture capital firms. She is passionate about backing ambitious Irish founders and has deep experience supporting companies from ideation through to growth. Delta Partners invests in Irish and Ireland-connected founders building scalable technology businesses. They are known for engaging with founders early — often before companies are formally fundraising — and for providing hands-on support throughout the journey. To learn more about Delta Partners, visit www.deltapartners.com — there you’ll find an easy way to book time with their team. Want to get in contact? Email us at podcast@digitalirish.com

    43 min

  4. MAR 3

    Practice AI Series - Conor Twomey

    This podcast episode is a featured highlight from our live Digital Irish webinar. To see the full presentation, including the technical deep dives and audience Q&A, watch the video here connect.digitalirish.com In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise of AI experimentation to look at what it actually takes to get a model into production inside a global enterprise.We’re joined by Conor Twomey, Co-Founder and CEO of AI One, an Irish-founded firm that specializes in making AI work inside complex, real-world environments. With a career spanning 17 years—including building real-time analytics for Formula One track-side strategy—Conor brings a "deployment over theory" mindset that is rare in today’s hype-filled market.Moderated by Gavin McMahon, this session explores how organizations can connect AI strategy to real operational outcomes without the nightmare of costly re-platforming or abstract "science projects." About Conor Twomey A proud graduate of UCC and the University of Limerick, Conor is a prominent voice in the global Irish tech diaspora. In addition to leading AI One, he serves on the boards of GOAL USA and the UCC Alumni Board.

    20 min

  5. JAN 29

    Practical AI Series: Sean Blanchfield on Enterprise Software, APIs & AI Agents

    How are leading founders actually using AI day to day? In this episode of the Digital Irish Podcast, we’re sharing highlights from the first session in our Practical Artificial Intelligence series — focused on real, hands-on experiences with AI from people building and using it right now. Our guest is Sean Blanchfield — Irish entrepreneur behind Demonware and Phorest, and founder of his latest venture, Jentic. Sean shares his perspective on how AI is reshaping enterprise software, where the real opportunities lie with APIs and AI agents, and how he personally uses AI in his own workflows. This episode features selected snippets from the live webinar. You can watch the full conversation and Q&A on Digital Irish Connect. 👉 Watch the full webinar: https://connect.digitalirish.com Sean Blanchfield on LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/seanblanchfield Jentic: https://jentic.com/ The Practical AI series brings together founders and operators to share real-world examples of how AI is being used today — cutting through hype to focus on what actually works.

    27 min

  6. 12/18/2025

    Investing in Irish AdTech with Mike Kelly

    In this episode, we sit down with Michael Kelly, a true digital pioneer and veteran of the media and AdTech landscape. For more than two decades, he has been at the front edge of every major wave in media, marketing, and technology, building, scaling, and transforming high-growth companies across the U.S., UK, and Ireland, including giants like AOL, Time Warner, and The Weather Company. As co-founder of KellyNewman Advisors, Michael helps founders and investors accelerate growth, sharpen go-to-market strategy, and execute M&A. He shares his journey, the biggest evolutionary changes he’s witnessed in AdTech, and his current focus: how AI is reshaping marketing, measurement, and value creation. Now, Michael is turning his strategic attention to the vibrant Irish ecosystem. We dive deep into: Why Ireland could be the next hot spot for AdTech innovation. The specific market gaps he sees Irish startups are uniquely positioned to fill. The traits, technologies, and metrics that make a founder or company stand out to him as an advisor and potential investor. Practical advice for Irish founders looking to scale internationally. If you’re building or scaling an AdTech venture in Ireland, this episode is packed with Mike’s strategic insights, inspiration, and a clear call to action on how to get on his radar. Michael Kelly is a true digital pioneer and a highly seasoned executive and advisor. He has served as CEO, board chair, and strategic advisor across adtech, martech, and digital media. As co-founder of KellyNewman Advisors, Michael leverages his experience to help high-growth companies accelerate, sharpen go-to-market strategy, and execute M&A with clarity and momentum. He is currently deeply focused on how AI is reshaping marketing, measurement, and value creation across the industry. Michael is a two-time honoree on Irish America Magazine’s Business 100, serves on the board of the American Advertising Federation, and is a member of the Board of Counselors of The Carter Center. Want to get in contact? Email us at podcast@digitalirish.com

    45 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    Irish Tech Week 2025 Recap

    This special episode takes you behind the scenes of Irish Tech Week — from the 17 Irish startups who flew into New York to a sold-out conference day at Civic Hall — and brings you conversations with the founders, supporters, and partners behind it. As a bonus, we introduce a new recurring segment to help you stay plugged into what’s happening across the wider Irish startup ecosystem. Featured Guests: Isabella Hughes Website: https://www.estatemin.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-hughes-77719a250 Isabella breaks down how EstateMin is modernising estate and probate administration, why legal-tech is ripe for innovation, and what she took away from engaging with the NYC tech community. Website: https://eclimai.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoin-long-6aa10b9 Eoin talks about building AI-driven solutions for buildings and energy efficiency, the role of deep-tech in Ireland’s startup landscape, and why visibility in the US market matters. Website: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oran-bambrick-6b183633 Oran offers the sponsor’s perspective on Irish Tech Week — from supporting internationalisation to why Enterprise Ireland continues to invest in bringing high-potential startups overseas. Website: https://ebowdigital.ie LinkedIn (via Ebow): https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebowdigital David walks us through the thinking behind our own Digital Irish rebrand, which launched at the start of Irish Tech Week — and reflects on why brand clarity and storytelling matter for community-led organisations. New Segment! with Stephen Mullan of Irish Insights Website: https://www.irish-insights.com At the end of the episode, we introduce a new ongoing segment featuring insights from Irish-Insights.com, a platform dedicated to tracking and showcasing what's happening across the broader Irish startup landscape. Stephen brings updates, perspective, and context; from funding rounds to founder stories, product launches, community wins, and trends worth watching Want to get in contact? Email us at podcast@digitalirish.com

    52 min

  8. 09/10/2025

    The Morrison Legacy: From Visas to Community with Elaine Brennan

    The Morrison Legacy Foundation: https://morrisonlegacy.com/  In this episode, we uncover the remarkable story behind the Bruce Morrison Legacy Initiative, a project honoring the groundbreaking visa program that gave tens of thousands of Irish immigrants the chance to build new lives in America.Our guest, Elaine Brennan, shares how the initiative began, why preserving these immigration stories matters now more than ever, and the lasting impact of Congressman Bruce Morrison’s work. We explore how the Morrison Visa shaped Irish-American identity, hear powerful personal accounts from recipients, and get a first look at the upcoming 2025 celebrations marking 30 years since the program’s implementationElaine brings a wealth of experience to this work. She is Executive Director of Global Strategic Partnerships at Northwell Health, where she develops innovative collaborations across healthcare, technology, and international trade. A former CEO and life sciences leader, she has worked with government, biotech, and pharmaceutical partners to drive innovation on both sides of the Atlantic.This episode is a moving celebration of the people whose lives were changed by the Morrison Visa—and of the stories that continue to define the Irish-American experience.Want to get in contact? Email us at podcast@digitalirish.com

    24 min
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About

The Digital Irish Podcast tells a global story of Irish innovation. Successful Irish entrepreneurs, corporate innovators, and global leaders share their journey on the path to success within Ireland and abroad.

Information

  • Creator
    Digital Irish
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Digital Irish
  • Show Website
    Digital Irish Podcast

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