About Us
About Us
AxisBIC has been at the forefront of driving entrepreneurial innovation in South and South-West of Ireland for more than three decades. AxisBIC identifies innovative entrepreneurs and provides support and essential business expertise within our region of Clare, Cork, Kerry & Limerick, empowering high growth entrepreneurs to drive positive impact.
AxisBIC is one of four Irish BICs co-funded by Enterprise Ireland to support innovative startups who have high growth potential and can contribute to economic development in their areas.
We work with an extensive network of seasoned entrepreneurs, investors and partners including local authorities, third level institutions, government agencies, local businesses and professional services.
AxisBIC, a not-for-profit organisation, is a secure space where entrepreneurs can access the support, insight and clarity they need to grow. We provide Entrepreneurs with access to business planning support, investment advice and mentorship to start, grow and scale their business. In particular, AxisBIC works with startups on their PSSF Applications and supports them on every step of their HPSU journey.
The Growth Pathway
AxisBIC has developed a unique range of initiatives involving SMEs, Start-ups, business leaders and our partners focussed on building the next generation of high performance companies and enabling our clients to raise over €500 million in investment over the last 15 years.
The Entrepreneur Experience®
A unique event for 24 Emerging Entrepreneurs to gain unparalleled access, advice and mentoring from 24 of Ireland’s most successful business leaders over 36 hours.
The Venture Academy®
A pitching event for High Growth Startup companies seeking investment including one-to-one and group sessions getting real feedback, advice, coaching and pitch preparation.
The Startup Showcase
A celebration of the region’s High-Growth Startups at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey – from early-stage startups to growing and scaling businesses
Meet the Team
The AxisBIC team brings extensive experience in guiding startups from their early stages through growth and scaling. Our team has played key roles in numerous initiatives and programmes, including preparing clients and startups for growth and scaling and stage funding, supporting entrepreneurs to develop their leadership skills through structured programmes and accelerators.
Many members of the AxisBIC team have firsthand experience building a startup, understanding the challenges, dedication, and resilience required to build, grow, and scale a business internationally. We work closely with startups from the ground up, providing the expertise and support needed at every stage of their journey. As part of that we deliver many workshops, masterclasses and webinars to our clients and alumni including the Growth Pathway Programme.
Larry O’Donoghue was appointed CEO of AxisBIC in January 2023. He joined AxisBIC in 2017 as Senior Consultant and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2021. Prior to AxisBIC, Larry worked for over eighteen years in technology, management consultancy, utilities, construction, and sales training, in Boston, Dublin, London and Singapore. On returning to Ireland, Larry founded and scaled two companies over a ten year period.
Specific expertise in raising early stage equity investment for high potential startups, developing investment strategies, executing investment strategies with startups, organizational development, sales strategies, corporate strategy and business planning. Larry holds a BSc Business Information Systems from University College Cork.
Larry O’Donoghue
Investment Strategy, Organisational Development, Business Growth
Larry O’Donoghue was appointed CEO of AxisBIC in January 2023. He joined AxisBIC in 2017 as Senior Consultant and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2021.
Fionnuala is an accomplished marketing and communications leader, serving as Marketing Manager and EU Projects Coordinator at AxisBIC. She spearheads high-profile initiatives such as The Entrepreneur Experience, The Venture Academy, and the AxisBIC Showcase, driving visibility and growth across Ireland’s startup ecosystem. With deep expertise in strategic marketing, stakeholder engagement, and event leadership, she forges powerful connections between founders, investors, and innovation partners. In her EU coordination role, Fionnuala leads cross-border collaborations with academia, government, and industry to advance entrepreneurship and innovation. She holds a BA (Hons) in European Studies with French and Spanish, and postgraduate qualifications in Marketing and Digital Marketing.
Fionnuala Wall
Strategic Marketing, Event Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, Communications & PR, EU Project Coordination
Fionnuala is an accomplished marketing and communications leader, serving as Marketing Manager and EU Projects Coordinator at AxisBIC. She spearheads high-profile initiatives such as
Georgie is an accomplished leadership and performance expert with over 18 years of experience empowering organisations and entrepreneurs to achieve exceptional results. Appointed Head of People & Programmes at AxisBIC in 2025, she leads national founder and leadership development initiatives for Enterprise Ireland, supporting high-potential entrepreneurs to grow, scale, and secure investment. Before joining AxisBIC, Georgie built an international consultancy delivering transformational leadership programmes for clients such as Meta, Google, EY, Verizon, and Microsoft. A qualified Positive Psychology Coach and Business Mentor with dual master’s degrees in Digital Marketing & Data Analytics and Applied Psychology, she specialises in human performance, behavioural change, and strategic growth.
Georgie Browne
Programme Development & Facilitation, Performance Coaching, Organisational Strategy & Entrepreneurial Growth
Georgie is an accomplished leadership and performance expert with over 18 years of experience empowering organisations and entrepreneurs to achieve exceptional results.
Dan Murphy is a Chartered Accountant and Senior Consultant with AxisBIC, bringing over 20 years of experience in Private Equity, Corporate Finance, and scaling high-growth companies. A strategic financial leader, he has advised numerous startups and SMEs on funding strategy, investor readiness, and financial modelling—helping secure multi-million-euro investment rounds. As an Industry CFO, Dan scaled a company from 64 to 580 employees within five years, raising €4.8M in mixed funding. Previously an Associate Director at KPMG, he managed equity and debt fundraisings, acquisitions, and disposals exceeding €80M across international markets. Having raised over €100M in Private Equity for global projects, Dan now leverages his expertise to help AxisBIC clients unlock funding, accelerate growth, and maximise investor value.
Dan Murphy
Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Funding Strategy, Financial Leadership, Investor Readiness
Dan Murphy is a Chartered Accountant and Senior Consultant with AxisBIC, bringing over 20 years of experience in Private Equity, Corporate Finance, and scaling high-growth companies
DECLAN FOX, serial entrepreneur, technologist, digital marketer and business coach, co-founded Comnitel Technologies in 1999 and as CEO, grew the company from start-up, raising €30M from leading institutional investors. Comnitel later merged with a US Telco, and was acquired by IBM in 2007. Founder of Magellan Partners, a venture & entrepreneurial advisory consultancy, with a focus on innovative technology companies across different sectors. Co-Founded OmniVend, a successful network, revenue and service management company. Declan is actively involved with a number of high achieving early stage technology companies assisting them scale internationally. Declan is working closely with third level instutitions right across our region and creating synergies with AxisBIC.
Declan Fox
Entrepreneurial Leadership, Venture Capital & Funding Strategy, Technology Commercialisation, Business Growth & Scaling, Strategic Advisory & Mentorship
Declan Fox is a seasoned entrepreneurial executive with nearly 40 years of commercial and technical experience, including over two decades at board level with international investors, VCs
Clara Galvão is a seasoned Go-to-Market strategist with extensive international experience helping startups and scaleups expand successfully into markets including the UK, US, Switzerland, and Ireland. Specialising in SaaS, B2B demand generation, and sectors such as Fintech, Health, and Not-for-Profit, Clara combines commercial acumen with entrepreneurial insight to design and execute high-impact market entry strategies that drive growth and client acquisition. Her background includes leading a business consultancy, providing due diligence for angel investors, and advising founders on market validation and expansion. At AxisBIC, Clara champions collaboration and innovation within the startup ecosystem across Limerick and Clare, supporting ambitious founders to accelerate traction and achieve sustainable international success.
Clara Galvao
Go-to-Market Strategy, International Expansion, B2B Demand Generation, Investor Due Diligence, Entrepreneurial Growth
Clara Galvão is a seasoned Go-to-Market strategist with extensive international experience helping startups and scaleups expand successfully into markets including the UK, US, Switzerland, and Ireland.
Abbie blends expertise in digital marketing, branding, and project management to deliver impactful campaigns and initiatives. With a background in design, she ensures brand consistency and develops compelling, eye-catching content. She is skilled in event coordination—from webinars to large-scale conferences—and programme management, supporting national initiatives such as Pre-Seed+ and Prep4Seed as well as European projects like Seed of Bravery. Having worked in startups, Abbie is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs in her role at AxisBIC. She also serves on the Marketing Institute Committee in Cork, contributing to the local marketing community.
When she’s not driving growth and building industry connections, Abbie can be found smashing serves on the tennis court, listening to True Crime podcasts, or building Lego masterpieces.
Abbie Mulvahill
Digital Marketing, Branding, Events, Design & Communications
Abbie blends expertise in digital marketing, branding, and project management to deliver impactful campaigns and initiatives. With a background in design, she ensures brand consistency and develops
Clodagh is an AAT qualified bookkeeper and experienced office manager at AxisBIC. She manages both internal finance operations and client financials, supporting start-ups in building strong, sustainable foundations for their businesses.
Clodagh began her career in veterinary nursing before moving into office management, where she discovered a natural talent and passion for finance. Over the years, she has developed broad experience across bookkeeping, systems, and financial management, and is currently pursuing her second year of Accounting Technicians to further strengthen her expertise.
Friendly, organised, and detail-focused, Clodagh enjoys helping entrepreneurs understand their numbers and make confident, informed financial decisions.
Outside of work, Clodagh loves spending time outdoors hiking with her dogs, playing tennis, and travelling to new places.
Clodagh Bourke
Bookkeeping, Operations Management, Startup Finance
Clodagh is an AAT qualified bookkeeper and experienced office manager at AxisBIC. She manages both internal finance operations and client financials, supporting start-ups in building strong, sustainable foundations for their businesses.
Robin has over 30 years of experience at line accountant and financial controller level in multinational corporations, wholesaling, services and consulting groups and previously worked full-time at the AxisBIC as a Consultant from 1995 to 1998.
As principal of Robson Associates, Robin provides outsourced Management Accounting, Financial Strategy and Company Secretarial services to the SME sector. Robin has operated as part-time Financial Controller to AxisBIC since 2003. He has an in-depth knowledge of the specialist financial management requirements of SMEs and start-up companies and has overall responsibility of the financial management of the National Software Centre.
When he’s not at work or spending time with family, Robin has a keen interest in sport, with particular interest in tennis & rugby.
Robin Robson
Financial Strategy, Accounts Management, Governance & Systems
Robin has over 30 years of experience at line accountant and financial controller level in multinational corporations, wholesaling, services and consulting groups and previously worked full-time at the AxisBIC as a Consultant from 1995 to 1998.
Aidan brings over 25 years of leadership and consultancy experience in the technology sector, specialising in strategic growth, investment, and business transformation. A founder of the Irrus Investment Syndicate, he has been instrumental in funding and guiding high-potential companies in the Life Sciences and Technology sectors. Throughout his career, Aidan has held senior executive roles, including VP of Sales EMEA at Avocent International, where he scaled revenues to $35M annually, and Financial Controller at Intepro Systems, where he led its transformation into a global market leader before successfully negotiating its sale. As an independent consultant, Aidan advises companies on sales, marketing, finance, and strategic management to accelerate performance and maximise investor returns.
Aidan O’Driscoll
Digital Marketing, Branding, Events, Design & Communications
Aidan brings over 25 years of leadership and consultancy experience in the technology sector, specialising in strategic growth, investment, and business transformation. A founder of the Irrus Investment Syndicate
History
AxisBIC, formerly CorkBIC (South West Business & Technology Centre) was formed in 1989 to work with startups and entrepreneurs in Cork & Kerry. In 2024 CorkBIC was renamed and rebranded to AxisBIC, when the AxisBIC region was expanded to include Clare & Limerick.
AxisBIC was licensed by the Commission as an EC-BIC (now EU|BIC) in 1994 and is a certified member of EBN, the European Business & Innovation Centre Network, the leading international, non-profit association of quality-certified EU Business and Innovation Centres (EU|BICs), incubators and other innovation brokers and business support structures.
Today, the EBN network brings together some 170 EU|BIC and 70 associate members whose shared vision is to ensure that every entrepreneur can realise their new innovative business idea with growth potential, from early-stage to international expansion.
The Irish BICs (AxisBIC, Furthr, Propelor & WestBIC) have been innovators in raising finance for early stage companies for almost 30 years.
In 1990 the Irish BICs raised private sector capital, matched by EU funds for the first Irish Seed Capital Fund – the “Business Innovation Fund.”
In 1997 AxisBIC piloted the Rapid Incubation Graduate Enterprise programme (later Genesis, now New Frontiers) along with Enterprise Ireland, UCC, and MTU to allow seed finance to be fed into early stage businesses.
This was followed by the Irish BICs Seed Capital Fund (IBSCF) which involved raising private sector investment to be matched by Enterprise Ireland in the capitalisation of the fund.
HBAN
HBAN, is a joint initiative with Enterprise Ireland and InterTrade Ireland, and an all-island umbrella group developing business angel syndicates & business angels. AxisBIC, along with the IrishBICs managed the Halo Business Angel Network (HBAN) in the Midwest and Southwest region of Ireland from 2007-2022.
730
Number of Deals
€177m
Angel Investment
€386m
Total Investment
HBAN provides a matching service for private investors (Business Angels) and pre-screened investment opportunities in startup, growth and scaling stage businesses.
In 2017 HBAN was awarded the EBAN Best Business Angel Initiative for the success of its Business Angel roadshow. This initiative resulted in 35 angels joining the network and AxisBIC as part of HBAN organised the Cork showcase.
While managing HBAN, AxisBIC was also responsible for the organisation of The Boole Investment Syndicate which was subsequently developed into a stand alone syndicate.
The Boole Investment Syndicate has been investing in high growth startups since 2012 and has to date invested over €15m of pure angel investment into those companies, which has typically leveraged 5x investment from other private investment sources and government funds. Operated out of the National Software Center in Mahon, Cork, the Boole Investment Syndicate has over 40 members actively investing.
Accelerators
AxisBIC has developed Accelerators run by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs and has partnered with numerous organisations to deliver these Accelerators. They include:
AxisBIC’s International Security Accelerator (2018 & 2019), a World Class Accelerator based in Cork, invested in early stage disruptive companies that relocated from international locations. The Accelerator had a strong sectoral focus and covers the wider Security Area to include Health & Bioinformatics, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Internet of Things (IOT), across Fintech, InsureTech, Defence, Critical Infrastructure, wider Financial Services & Logistics.
Two Accelerator programmes in Belfast (2016) funded by the UK Government, through Invest Northern Ireland and managed by CorkBIC and StartPlanetNI. Northern Ireland’s only private equity based start-up accelerator, was a 3 month high impact programme focusing on accelerating the growth of new emerging businesses.
Bank of Ireland funded Accelerator in Cork (2014/2015) – The Bank of Ireland National Accelerator was a 3 month high impact programme focusing on accelerating the growth of new emerging businesses. The Accelerator funded, advised and guided the progress of these companies through a network of internationally renowned and successful entrepreneurs. 151 Applications were received from 18 countries for this programme culminating in 53 companies being interviewed and 8 teams selected from all over Ireland, the UK and Italy.
Prep4Seed (2021 onwards) is a 12-week intensive Investor Ready programme delivered nationally by the Irish BICs: Propelor, WestBIC, AxisBIC & Furthr on behalf of Enterprise Ireland.The programme brings High Growth start-up clients through the investor readiness process quickly and effectively.
Pre-Seed Start Fund (PSSF) (2024 onwards) is a milestone focused programme, which aims to assist successful applicants to Enterprise Ireland’s Pre-Seed Start Fund with the achievement of agreed milestones as set-out in their funding application.
Infrastructure Gap Initiatives
Historically AxisBIC has been a hands-on catalyst or project developer in many infrastructure gap initiatives in the Southwest region of Ireland.
AxisBIC with the 2 main Universities; University College Cork, and Munster Technological University together with Enterprise Ireland initiated the Graduate Enterprise Programme, (later Genesis, now New Frontiers) – a 12 month rapid incubation programme that fast tracked nearly 200 companies.
Working with the Regional Authority and Cork Councils AxisBIC initiated the €12m Euro National Software Centre project, financed between the public and private sector.
In 1997 AxisBIC initiated an industry association called it@cork (now Tech Industry Alliance) for IT professionals to develop the region as a centre of IT excellence.
Partnered in the IGNITE Programme in UCC – IGNITE is an incubation centre in University College Cork for higher education graduates.
The Atlantic University Alliance of 3 established Universities coming together to develop a cross region Technology Transfer Initiative.
Digital Buildings Telecom Access Guidelines for Cork Docklands (2009)
AxisBIC conducted a Tier 1 Datacentre Commercial Feasibility Study for a new Tier 1 International Subsea connection between Ireland and International Networks (2012)
The Electronics Industry Linkage Programme, connecting SME suppliers to multinationals
In 2015 we worked with partners on “The Startup Gathering Event & co-hosted the Startup Cork Dinner
Part of the consortium who organised the Global Entrepreneurship Network Startup Nations event in Cork in 2016. In particular AxisBIC organised the Global Investor Challenge on Spike Island & Final at Startup Nations Summit Dinner in Cork County Hall in front of over 300 guests
CoderDojo (the global coding club) was founded at the NSC July 2011 with the support of AxisBIC
In 2011 CorkBIC launched the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame® to recognise successful Entrepreneurs who have a vision to succeed and a passion to assist others. Recipients include Liam Casey, PCH; Pádraig Ó Céidigh, Aer Arann; Peaches Kemp, Itsa; Candace Johnson, Entrepreneur & Trail Blazer; Pete Smyth, Broadlake.