Pictured: Micheal Neary (Grant Thornton), Reyna Maycock (Chirp), Larry O’Donoghue, Fionnuala Wall, Georgie Browne (AxisBIC), Jim Barry (Barry Group)
Entrepreneurs who want an opportunity to get advice and support from some of the country’s most successful business leaders are invited to apply for this year’s AxisBIC Entrepreneur Experience. Applications are now open for the event which is taking place in the Ballymaloe Grainstore in Co. Cork on October 17th and 18th.
The Entrepreneur Experience brings 24 emerging entrepreneurs together with 24 business leaders who offer advice and mentoring over 24 hours. The event was established in 2011 and has raised €500 million for start-ups since then.
AxisBIC has been driving innovation and fostering the growth of start-ups in the South and South-West of Ireland for more than 35-years. AxisBIC provides support and essential business expertise to entrepreneurs to help them grow and succeed.
Of the emerging entrepreneurs who participated in last year’s Entrepreneur Experience, 48% were founded or co-founded by women coming from a range of sectors including Fashion, Food, MedTech, AI, EdTech, Renewables, Fitness and Skincare.
The organisation has confirmed that investment firm, Quintas Capital, is coming onboard as a new partner for the 2025 Entrepreneur Experience. The company joins existing partners including Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Grant Thornton, Broadlake and The Currency.
Larry O’Donoghue, AxisBIC CEO said: “It was heartening to see so many female founders at the Entrepreneur Experience in 2024 and it is a trend we hope to see continue as an increase in women take that leap of transforming an idea into a thriving business. This event gives start-ups a unique opportunity to learn from some of the best in the country as well as getting invaluable peer-to-peer support over the two days. I would like to thank all our partners for making it possible to host this event every year, with a particular mention for Quintas Capital which is coming on board this year.”
Some of the emerging entrepreneurs who have participated in the programme include Crest Solutions (now Catalyx), Velo Coffee, Nicki Hoyne, All Real Nutrition, Green Rebel, Ground Wellbeing and Doctrine Skincare.
Andrew O’Shaughnessy, founder of Poppulo said: “I took part in the first AxisBIC Entrepreneur Experience in 2011 and it was a fantastic experience. I learned so much from the different business leaders and emerging entrepreneurs that I met over the two days and used the advice I received to turn Poppulo into a successful enterprise. There are many, many questions that you have as a founder and it’s crucial to get the rightadvice and support along the way. I would highly recommend this event to anyone who is starting their business journey.”
The closing date for applications is Friday, September 5th.
