Professional Background

Senior Innovation and Accelerator Manager, Trinity Innovation and Enterprise, Trinity College Dublin.

At the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship at Trinity College Dublin, Breandán serves as the Programme Director for the European Institute of Technology and Innovation’s (EIT) Entrepreneurship and Accelerator programs, as well as Horizon Europe and ‘Erasmus +’ initiatives. His role focuses on identifying and supporting groundbreaking innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs, particularly in two key areas: climate mitigation technologies—centered on circular economies and sustainable built environments—and carbon removal solutions, alongside cutting-edge advancements in digital health.

Breandán has successfully launched a variety of accelerators, including six in climate tech, four in digital health, and two in artificial intelligence. He has also led four cohorts as part of the ‘Circuléire’ New Ventures Programme, a collaboration with Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR). Through these initiatives, he has worked with hundreds of startups from across Europe and beyond, fostering critical industry partnerships and cross-institutional collaboration to ensure their success. In addition, he continues to represent Trinity in Horizon Europe research collaboration bids.

Areas of Expertise

• Start Up Development
• Sustainability
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment
• Sustainability & Green Technologies
• Networking & Relationships

Availability and Commitment

Relatively flexible with a sufficient heads-up!

Professional Background

Ed Murphy is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in business. Throughout his career, he has developed a deep appreciation for individuals who have the drive and passion to create something meaningful from nothing, benefiting many people in the process. After working in the USA, Ed returned to his hometown in Wexford in 1992 and joined forces with Michael Kearney, embarking on several successful franchise ventures. These included Snap Print and Design, CEX, and Home Instead Senior Care and created 6,000 jobs in the process.

In recent years, Ed has divested from his franchise businesses and shifted his focus to pursue his passion projects. With a strong sense of pride in his Wexford heritage, he recognized the potential of the region to foster innovation, attract inward investment, and create numerous job opportunities for the local community. Believing that the South East is a hidden gem yet to be fully discovered by the world, Ed is determined to establish an innovative environment that supports entrepreneurs and encourages young people to live and work in the South East, hence his newest project GreenTechHQ.

While setting up GreenTechHQ, Ed has also established a new home care company Platinum Homecare with its head office in the South East. Knowing that than maintaining independence in your own home and your own community is of key importance, Ed and his team have establish Platinum to support people in their homes for as long as necessary. Already established over 200 jobs in over 14 regions across Ireland.

Areas of Expertise

• Startup Development
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment
• Network & Relationships
• Marketing

Availability and Commitment

As and when required

Professional Background

CEO, National Dairy Council.
Member of the Board of the European Milk Forum.
Member of Bord Bia’s Brand Forum Steering Committee.
Director of Love Irish Food.
Barrister.

Results-driven communications and commercial strategist with more than 20 years’ experience in leading and brand-building while managing rapid growth and organisational change. I leverage insight and innovation to build an authentic and differentiated proposition and create compelling narratives, devising campaigns that effect real change in consumer behaviour and grow affinity. I have a track record in driving change, growing revenues, engaging stakeholders, building strategic alliances, leading cross-functional teams and delivering for the P&L.

Core strengths are advocacy, storytelling, leadership and accountability.

Areas of Expertise

• Agriculture and Food Production
• Business Strategy
• Marketing
• Product development

Availability and Commitment

Preference for online but certainly available for in person as appropriate.

Professional Background

James O’Donnell is a highly accomplished and influential figure in the Irish agricultural industry, known for his exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to the farming community. With over four decades of experience, James has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of Athassel Abbey Farm, an award-winning beef and dairy farm, where he currently serves as the Co-owner and Operator.

Throughout his career, James has demonstrated remarkable resilience, steering Athassel Abbey Farm through various challenges, including foot and mouth outbreaks, TB crises, price instability, and global supply chain disruptions. His forward-thinking approach led to the modernization and expansion of the farm, ensuring its continued growth and prosperity.

In addition to his commitment to his own farm, James has been actively involved in the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) for many years, where he held several key positions. As the President of ICOS from 2022 to 2023, he advocated passionately for farmers and the Irish agriculture industry, navigating through challenging times such as fertilizer shortages and environmental scrutiny. Under his leadership, the ICOS charter was launched to promote female representation and include younger farmers at board level, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic agricultural community.

James’s expertise in financial management and governance was instrumental during his tenure as Vice President and Chairman of Finance and Governance at ICOS. He played a pivotal role in the management of ICOS’s finances and represented the organization during critical discussions on CAP reform.

Outside the agricultural realm, James has shown a deep commitment to the local community through his voluntary board memberships and affiliations. As a dedicated member of various sports and educational committees, including GAA, Semple Stadium Management Committee, and Presentation Secondary School Thurles, he played an integral role in facility development and community building.

Throughout his journey, James has acquired a wide range of skills, including farm management, business development, advocacy, financial management, and board governance. His ability to lead and collaborate with diverse teams has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and stakeholders alike.

In summary, James O’Donnell’s remarkable contributions to the Irish agricultural industry and the local community stand as a testament to his unwavering passion, expertise, and dedication. He continues to inspire and positively impact the lives of countless farmers and community members, leaving an indelible mark on the agricultural landscape of Ireland.

Areas of Expertise

• Agriculture & Food Production

Availability and Commitment

Both

Professional Background

Company Director for many decades in a number of privately owned agribusiness companies among others.

Areas of Expertise

• Agriculture & Food Production
• Sustainability
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment

Availability and Commitment

Both

Professional Background – Green Business

With over 30 years in marketing Liz McGonigal is a highly skilled and experienced with a proven track record in delivering successful programs and strengthening client positions from a brand awareness, sales, and marketing perspective. She has worked with household names and launched them into the market e.g. Celebration chocolates, weddingsonline, Dublin Zoo retail, KClub K2 and Ryder Cup, Guinness Hurling Championship which saw Wexford win in 1996, National Lottery Games & Innovations, Insomnia Coffee, Bloom Gardens, lovegorey.ie, Addiction Awareness Week, AIB Club Championship and many more.

Throughout her career, Liz McGonigal has demonstrated her expertise in strategic thinking and marketing programmes. With her extensive experience and dedication to helping clients achieve their goals. Liz is able to help support strategic guidance, product/service development/branding/marketing/digital media, sales & customer relations.

Areas of Expertise

• Digital
• Marketing

Availability and Commitment

Whenever/whatever when planned in advance

Professional Background

As the founder and managing director of Brand Nova Digital, I lead an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in UI/UX website design, search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, training, and digital marketing consultancy. All our services are plugged into the Nova360 marketing dashboard, which provides seamless management and monitoring of all client accounts. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of consulting and training over 6,500 professionals, tailoring programs that range from two-day intensive lead generation sales funnel architecture workshops for leading brands and agencies to 12-week digital marketing diploma programs. My passion for digital marketing and innovative approach has led me to lecture in Digital Marketing with several institutions including the Digital Marketing Institute, Dublin Business School, Griffith College, and other corporate training organizations.

Recently appointed President of County Wexford Chamber, I have the honour of serving the local business community and advocating on their behalf. It’s a responsibility that I take very seriously and one that I’m proud to hold. Beyond my work, I’m a founder and moderator of Social Media Marketing Ireland Group on LinkedIn and have been a keynote speaker at many conferences on Digital Marketing Strategy. Overall, my career has been dedicated to helping businesses succeed and thrive in the digital age. I’m passionate about what I do and I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the industry and the people it serves.

Areas of Expertise

Availability and Commitment

Available in person and virtual.

Professional Background

I am a company founder and originally CEO. The company, Rockall Technologies Ltd was acquired for over € 50M in 2019. I believe I can help organisations from start up to scaling with a focus on strategy, finance, sales and software product development.

Areas of Expertise

• Start Up development
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment
• Product Development

Availability and Commitment

At the moment, I am generally available. Ideally virtual meetings but happy to travel with enough notice (I am based in Spain).

Additional Comments

I started Rockall in 2000 and boot strapped to a €12M revenue (mostly recurring) organisation. Rockall had multiple international clients (most in USA). The client base were financial institutions.

Professional Background

Specialties:
Air Quality and Carbon Management
Environmental Resource Management
Member of the Institute of Air Quality Management
Member of the Institution of Environmental Sciences

Core strengths are advocacy, storytelling, leadership and accountability.

Areas of Expertise

• Sustainability
• Sustainability and Green Technologies

Availability and Commitment

Mostly virtual meetings (as I am based on the UK) but very happy to meet in person when in Ireland

Professional Background

Extensive experience in entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, strategy, innovation and SME engagement. Author, writer, coach. I have worked with universities, membership organisations, corporate clients, government departments, public agencies and worked with hundreds of businesses, giving me a unique spectrum of perspectives on doing business in a highly complex environment.

Areas of Expertise

• Start Up development
• Sustainability
• Business Strategy
• Marketing
• Product development

Availability and Commitment

Virtual (I live in Spain)

Additional Comments

Have been working with companies in the climate change space for over 10 years. Have a particular interest in SMEs that want to use climate change as an opportunity for reinvention.