List of Tech Sector Mentors
Aisling Hurley has over 10 years experience of creative leadership, with a comprehensive understanding of global market dynamics (co-founder teamwoodcraft.com). Has led creative projects and teams for international brands such as Laurence Lewellyn Bowen, British Airways, HSS, Menarini, Covalen. Pioneer in fusing AI with creative processes, enhancing innovation and efficiency. She has designed digital marketing campaigns that resonate across diverse cultures and is experienced in fostering cohesive team development through the strategic use of technology and creative methodologies. In her role as a design strategist, Aisling has developed numerous industry-focused initiatives that drive growth and innovation across a broad spectrum of companies, from start-ups to multinationals. Her expertise includes shaping strategic direction for the implementation of business, product, and service innovations for industry partners. She lectures in various universities including SETUs MBA where she leads programmes that apply strategic design methodologies and her designer’s framework to stimulate innovation and creative problem-solving. She is also the host of The SME Community Podcast. Key Skills - Digital Marketing Science, National & International Markets, Innovation & Creativity, Business Strategy, Emerging Tech Trends including AI, AR, XR, Corporate Governance.
Cyril & Niamh Byrne the visionary owners behind Ruby Rouge and Varoom Ltd, bring their extensive expertise to their new business consultancy. With a proven track record in building successful ecommerce, retail, and tech businesses, they are dedicated to guiding clients toward sustainable growth and innovation. Niamh and Cyril’s hands-on experience in these sectors equips them with unique insights and strategies tailored to each client's needs. Their consultancy offers comprehensive advice on digital transformation, market expansion, and operational efficiency. Partner with Niamh and Cyril to unlock your business’s full potential, leveraging their industry knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit. Let their passion and expertise help you navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape.
Eddie Heffernan. With over 30 years of experience as a software developer, I’ve had the pleasure of working on a wide range of projects and technologies. From C# and ASP.NET Core, SQL Server and React, to Solidity and NodeJS, I’ve developed strong skills in multiple areas. Along the way, I’ve learned how to distil complex technical concepts into clear, actionable language, making it easy for others to understand and implement. This ability has served me well in working with diverse teams, from developers to non-technical stakeholders. Today, I’m excited to bring my skillset to this new role, where I can share my knowledge and help others grow
Dr. John Collier and Foodovate Consulting is a Food-Innovation consultancy helping companies design and develop new products for the retail/food service markets. This is built on over 20-years’ experience in industry. We work in Innovation and Innovation Capability, Market Intelligence, Strategy & Business Models, Export Plans & Models, Nutrition & Health Claims, New Product Development, Digital Marketing for Food and Training. We are experts in Design Thinking and innovation models to help you bring your ideas to life. We also work with companies to secure funding for start up formation, feasibility, and growth. John has owned and managed several food companies over the past 20 years and has worked in every aspect of the industry. He has direct experience with beverages, prepared meals, horticultural products, pharmaceuticals, meat products, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, savoury, and sweet snacks.
Justin Kearns is a business and digital technology consultant with 12+ years experience in technology & entrepreneurship across multiple sectors and is skilled in identifying and developing market opportunities for new products, services and business models. He leverages his experience in establishing startups to help clients validate market opportunities for their concepts, assess the feasibility of their projects and assist them as they bring their concept to market. He has lived experience of developing and bringing to market innovative products and services both in Ireland and export markets and has a wide range of knowledge across market research, funding, brand building and business strategy. Justin has a Post Grad in Innovation and Enterprise from TCD, and has participated in industry leading innovation programmes, startup accelerators and entrepreneurial development programmes. For over a decade he has been mentoring Local Enterprise Office clients and has a comprehensive understanding of support available to clients
Karl Ilewellyn. Over the last 30 years Karl has built and operated dozens of CRM and sales solutions. Operating with teams from 5 to 500 people across continents from India, Europe and the US he was the first Irish business to operate six contact centres across Europe and India using the same telephone Switch (a massive deal in 2005). He has started organisations that have grown to over 1000 agents and built inside sales teams for others that generated over $50 million in sales volume from a standing start. He combines 30 years of practical Sales and CRM experience across many business sectors, 10 years of Project Management Qualified (PMP) all mixed together with the fact that he is ultimately a sales guy mashed with start-up founder. He enjoys selling to good prospects and dislikes paperwork, don't particularly want to cold call and likes his team to be busy and deliver accurate realtime reports.
Kate Hickey is a Business Consultant and Executive Director of the Ireland Canada Business Association and Director of the Valentia Cable Foundation. As a Consultant to Department of Trade Newfoundland for ten years Kate provided strategic trade consultancy services to over 95 Canadian SME’s. Previously Marketing Manager with Laura Ashley, Kate has proven skills in retail marketing, branding, PR strategies and buyer engagement. As Experienced Marketing Director and Consultant for Enterprise Ireland Kate works with CEO’s of early stage companies focusing on Strategy and Export Market Development. Equipped with an MBA from Smurfit School of Business Kate works with clients in implementing market entry and sales strategies and is a mentor and trainer with DCCI.
Mary White is an Irish and EU Trademark Attorney, who manages the Dublin office for leading brand advisory firm, Stobbs. She has a lot of experience in helping start-ups and scaling-up SME companies with their intellectual property and how to align it with their business growth strategy. She can assist with trade mark applications, oppositions, and disputes concerning business names and domain names. Mary works with a number of Local Enterprise Offices around Ireland as a mentor specifically helping with small businesses in food and drinks, craft, technology, engineering, software, and more. At Stobbs we believe IP is for all sizes and shapes of business – it can help with achieving vital funding and helping you gain credibility with investors. It also helps maintain your competitive edge in the marketplace and can help you by opening up opportunities to license your product or service – or to scale your business internationally. Mary is also a member of the technical committee on Innovation Management of the National Standards Authority of Ireland and has contributed to the development of the ISO 56000 framework of standards which offer organizations of all sizes guidance on how to implement, maintain, and improve innovation management systems.
Michael O’Gorman MBA. Michael is a dynamic business mentor and advisor with 30+ years of leadership across roles such as Board Director, Head of Strategy, Director of Development and Growth, Business School Lecturer and Entrepreneur. His rich blend of experience, capability, and continuous learning positions him as a trusted guide for micro-enterprises, SMEs, and Innovation-Driven Enterprises (IDEs) on a pathway of development, discovery, and growth. Armed with postgraduate qualifications in Business, Education, Enterprise Development, and Innovation, Michael is also a certified Advanced Practitioner in Value Management and accredited by MIT’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme. Through his company, Pathway Business Solutions, he delivers strategic guidance and operational solutions tailored to each business’s unique needs and stage of development. Michael’s holistic approach bridges the agility of small enterprises with the strategic depth of corporates, unlocking potential and fostering sustainable growth. His mentorship drives clarity, adaptability, and measurable success at every stage of business evolution.
Ruth Larkin is a serial industry entrepreneur, having founded and scaled multi-million euro businesses in a number of sectors including, international distribution of luxury consumer products and manufacturing and global sales of municipal vehicles. Her focus is on market validation, market entry strategy, commercialisation, expansion, management and strategy. She has extensive experience in professional services, consumer goods, retail and distribution, design and manufacturing, health, fitness and wellbeing, fintech and cosmetics.
