ThinkBusiness.ie

Episode 356 - Lorraine Heskin, founder and CEO of Gourmet Food Parlour

Today, we're joined by one of Ireland's most successful hospitality entrepreneurs, Lorraine Heskin, founder and CEO of Gourmet Food Parlour. What began as a 25-seater café in Dún Laoghaire in 2006 has grown into a business serving more than seven million customers, generating over €20 million in annual revenue, employing more than 320 people and operating 11 locations across Ireland. Along the way, Gourmet Food Parlour has become a major player in catering, events and sports nutrition. Lorraine joins us to discuss entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, scaling a business over two decades, and what's next for one of Ireland's best-known hospitality brands. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 355 - Padraic O’Kane, co-founder of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic

Today's guest is Padraic O’Kane, the driving force behind one of Ireland's most successful international sporting events, the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. What began as an ambitious vision to bring American college football to Dublin has evolved into a major annual event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors, generates significant economic impact and showcases Ireland on a global stage. We'll discuss the entrepreneurial journey behind the Classic, the challenges of building a transatlantic sports brand, the power of partnerships and why major events like this can deliver lasting benefits for Irish tourism, business and international reputation. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 354 - Tim Grant, executive chair, TensorX

Artificial intelligence is transforming how businesses operate, but as adoption accelerates, questions around data control, privacy and digital sovereignty are becoming increasingly important. My guest today is Tim Grant, Executive Chair of TensorX, the Irish company building sovereign AI infrastructure for Europe following an €8m funding round. We'll discuss why businesses want their AI data to stay within European jurisdiction, what digital sovereignty really means, and whether Europe can build its own trusted AI future. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 353 - Sharon Mooney and Peter McPartlin, co-founders, MarkGo

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, we speak with MarkGo founders Peter McPartlin and Sharon Mooney about how AI is helping level the playing field for SMEs and start-ups that cannot afford expensive marketing agencies or senior consultants. We discuss the biggest marketing challenges facing growing businesses, the rise of AI-powered strategy, common mistakes founders make, and why many companies struggle to turn ambition into action. It is a practical conversation packed with insights for entrepreneurs looking to grow smarter and faster in a competitive marketplace. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 352 - Denise Charlton, CEO, Community Foundation Ireland

Community Foundation Ireland has quietly reshaped Irish giving since 2000, channelling €200 million into communities across the country while building a model built on data, trust and long-term partnership. In this episode, CEO Denise Charlton joins the ThinkBusiness Podcast to explore how strategic philanthropy works in practice, from backing causes before they find public support to helping a new generation of wealthy families think through purpose, legacy and impact. She discusses Ireland's unique culture of anonymous giving, the rise of donor-advised funds, and what policy change could unlock the next chapter of Irish philanthropy. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 351 - Matthew Coffey, co-founder of SQUID Loyalty

Welcome to the podcast. Today I'm joined by Matthew Coffey, co-founder of SQUID Loyalty, the Irish tech company on a mission to make customer loyalty simpler and more effective for businesses and consumers alike. What started as an idea between two engineering students has grown into a platform used by thousands of businesses across multiple international markets. We'll discuss entrepreneurship, customer engagement, the future of loyalty programmes, scaling a startup from Ireland, and the lessons Matthew has learned building a fast-growing technology company. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 350 - Getting ideas off the ground with AI

Welcome to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast, powered by Bank of Ireland. As AI rapidly moves from buzzword to business tool, many SMEs are still asking the same question: where do you start, and how do you turn AI into something that delivers real value? As Google and Bank of Ireland join forces to provide 10,000 Google AI Professional scholarships to Irish SMEs at no cost, we speak with Kira Brakhage, AI specialist at Google, about how small businesses can use tools like Gemini Notebook to work smarter, save time, and unlock new insights from the information they already have. From turning meeting transcripts into instant action plans and accelerating staff onboarding, to conducting low-cost market research and transforming documents into engaging audio content, Kira shares practical, real-world applications that SMEs can put into practice straight away. She also addresses one of the biggest concerns for business owners today: how secure sensitive company data is when using AI-powered tools. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 349 - Paul Turley, general manager, ServiceNow Ireland

Today we’re tackling a problem that every consumer and every business leader can relate to: why is customer service still so frustrating in an age of AI, automation and digital transformation? Despite years of investment in technology, new research from ServiceNow reveals that Irish consumers are losing an astonishing 284 million hours every year dealing with customer service issues. Even more striking, nearly half of consumers say they would switch brands after just one poor customer service experience. So what’s going wrong? Why are businesses still struggling to deliver seamless customer experiences? And with AI dominating boardroom conversations, are companies focusing on the right solutions—or simply adding more complexity to already broken processes? To help us unpack these questions, I’m joined by Paul Turley from ServiceNow, a company at the forefront of helping organisations modernise customer service and employee experiences through digital workflows and AI-powered solutions. In our conversation, we’ll explore why customer service remains one of the biggest pain points for consumers, the common mistakes organisations are making in their AI and customer experience strategies, and the practical steps businesses can take to improve service without committing to massive technology budgets. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 348 - Martina Calvey, co-founder, Hello Good Life

By 2030, more than one in three people in Ireland will be over the age of 50, while the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to exceed one million. As Ireland's population ages, the need for stronger community connections, health supports and wellbeing services has never been greater. In this episode, we speak with Martina Calvey, founder of Hello GoodLife Ireland, a Mayo-founded social enterprise that is building a nationwide network of health and wellbeing hubs designed to help people stay active, connected and independent as they age. Martina explains the inspiration behind the business, the challenges and opportunities presented by Ireland's demographic shift, and why she believes communities hold the key to healthier, happier ageing. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 347 - Neil Bowden, Europe AI lead, Dell

Artificial intelligence promises to transform how businesses operate, but with so much hype surrounding the technology, many organisations are still asking a simple question: where does AI genuinely deliver value? In this episode, we speak with Neil Bowden, EMEA AI Lead at Dell Technologies, about how Irish businesses can take a pragmatic approach to AI adoption. From identifying real-world use cases and measuring ROI to avoiding costly mistakes and unnecessary spending, Neil shares practical advice for organisations looking to make smarter AI investments. Whether you're an SME exploring your first AI project or a larger enterprise refining your strategy, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what really matters: achieving meaningful business outcomes with AI. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

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Episode 346 - Richard Meehan, CEO of Velico

Today, we’re joined by Richard Meehan, CEO of Velico, the Boston-founded medtech company that has established its international headquarters in Ireland and is developing a groundbreaking dry plasma manufacturing system that could transform emergency trauma care around the world. From ambulances and military operations to mass casualty response, Velico’s technology enables blood centres to produce spray-dried plasma that can be rehydrated within minutes when every second counts. With recent support from the French military—a global leader in dried plasma production—the company is gaining international recognition for its innovative approach. In this episode, Richard shares his journey from leadership roles across FMCG, real estate and ICT into the fast-moving world of MedTech, discusses the challenges and opportunities of scaling a healthcare technology company internationally, and explains why Ireland is playing a central role in Velico’s global growth strategy. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 345 - The Address Collective reserves strong foundations for future growth

Welcome to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast. Today we’re diving into the story behind one of Ireland’s most dynamic hospitality brands –The Address Collective. Founded during the pandemic and rapidly scaled across Ireland and into the UK, the group represents a new model of design-led, experience-driven hospitality. Joining me today are Cian McGettigan, part of the family behind The Address Collective, and Gerardo Larios Rizo, Head of Hospitality Sector at Bank of Ireland. We’re starting with a really interesting angle –what it means to build and scale an intergenerational family business –before moving into growth, rebranding, and the wider outlook for hospitality in Ireland. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 344 - Google's Karen Stolberg on empowering Irish SMEs through AI

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept – it’s rapidly becoming the operating system of modern business. From global tech giants to family-run farms in North Dublin, the ability to harness AI is quickly defining who scales, who competes, and who gets left behind. And yet, while the vast majority of Irish SMEs recognise AI’s transformative potential, many remain stuck at the starting line – curious, but uncertain about how to turn that curiosity into practical, day-to-day advantage. So what’s really holding businesses back? How big is the opportunity for Ireland if we close that gap? And what does it actually look like when small teams begin to think – and build – like software creators? In this episode, I’m joined by Karen Stolberg, Vice President of Google Customer Solutions for the UK and Ireland. We explore the real economic impact of AI, the psychological shift happening inside organisations, and a major new initiative from Google and Bank of Ireland that offers training for up to 10,000 Google AI certificates licences to Irish SMEs at no cost. From “vibe coding” and workflow automation to reclaiming entire workdays through AI fluency, this conversation is about unlocking capacity, competitiveness, and confidence across Irish business. If you’ve been wondering where to begin with AI, this is the conversation that cuts through the noise. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 343 - Lydia Foott and Kevin Gallagher from Qashio

Hello and welcome to the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast powered by Bank of Ireland. Today we’re exploring fintech innovation and international expansion. We’re joined by Lydia Foott, an Irish entrepreneur who co-founded Qashio in Dubai, and Kevin Gallagher, the company’s General Manager for Europe, as it prepares to launch in Ireland with a new Dublin office and 50 jobs across multiple functions. Qashio helps businesses take control of spending through smart company cards that track and manage expenses in real time, eliminating manual reporting and giving finance teams full visibility. Following strong growth in the UAE, where it has partnered with Visa and Emirates, Qashio is now targeting Ireland as a gateway to Europe – against a backdrop of strengthening €8 billion trade ties between Ireland and the UAE. So what opportunities does Ireland offer, and how can smarter spend management benefit Irish businesses? Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 342 - Andrew Melchior, CTO, Massive Attack

The music industry has always been shaped by technology — but today, the pace and scale of change is unlike anything we’ve seen before. From the early days of mobile music to the rise of streaming, and now the disruptive force of artificial intelligence, the question is no longer just how music is made or distributed—but how it is owned, protected, and valued. Few people have had a front-row seat to that evolution quite like Andrew Melchior. With more than two decades at the intersection of music, technology and digital culture, Andrew has played a pivotal role in some landmark moments—from bringing music to Nokia mobile phones to producing the global live broadcast of David Bowie’s Reality Tour. Today, as CTO of Massive Attack and founder of Genotone, he is focused on tackling one of the industry’s most urgent challenges: safeguarding creativity in the age of AI. In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, we explore Andrew’s journey through the music industry, what the future holds for artists, and how innovations like digital audio watermarking could redefine ownership and trust in an AI-driven world. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 341 - Teddy Murphy, founder and CEO, Miagen

Today, we’re exploring one of Ireland’s quieter global success stories—where finance, technology, and aviation intersect. I’m joined by Teddy Murphy, founder and CEO of Miagen, a Dublin-based company whose financial planning platform is used by CFOs to model complex decisions and maximise performance. Its reach is remarkable—supporting financial modelling for roughly one in five of the world’s leased aircraft, representing around €100 billion in assets. We’ll discuss how financial modelling and AI are reshaping decision-making, Miagen’s expansion into elite football, and Teddy’s own journey—from pitching Etihad in Abu Dhabi to building a globally ambitious company from Dublin. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 340 - Bank of Ireland launches its first EV marketplace

Ireland’s transition to electric vehicles is gathering pace, but for many drivers, the journey from curiosity to commitment has often felt complicated. Understanding costs, comparing models, and figuring out finance can still be barriers to making the switch. Now, Bank of Ireland, in partnership with Nevo, is aiming to change that with the launch of Ireland’s first dedicated EV marketplace. Designed as a one-stop digital platform, it brings together everything a potential EV buyer needs in one place, from education and vehicle comparison to financing options and test drive bookings. The timing reflects a clear shift in consumer behaviour. EV lending growth is surging, charging usage is rising sharply, and more Irish drivers are looking seriously at going electric, driven in part by higher fuel costs and a growing focus on sustainability. In this episode, we explore how this new marketplace is designed to meet those needs and what it could mean for the future of EV adoption in Ireland. I’m joined by Karen Kennedy from Bank of Ireland and Simon Andreucetti from Nevo to discuss how the platform works, why now is the right moment, and how it aims to make switching to electric simpler, more transparent, and more accessible for Irish drivers. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 339 - Calypso AI CEO Donnchadh Casey and David Blendis, strategy director, Rowdy

When Irish tech firm CalypsoAI was acquired by global security giant F5 for $180 million, the spotlight landed on its AI security technology – but there’s a deeper story behind the deal. In fast-moving categories like AI, it’s not just what you build, but how you’re perceived. CalypsoAI didn’t just compete in AI security – it helped define it. And that positioning can directly influence who gets acquired, and for how much. Today, we’re exploring the role of brand as a strategic asset – one that shapes trust, narrative, and ultimately valuation. I’m joined by Donnchadh Casey, CEO of CalypsoAI, and David Blendis, Strategy Director at Rowdy Studio. Together, they’ll unpack why brand isn’t just marketing - it’s leverage. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 338 - Paul Kearns, CFO, Kefron

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the evolving world of finance operations and the growing strategic importance of Accounts Payable in the Office of the CFO. I’m joined by Paul Kearns, CEO of Irish software company Kefron, which has more than 30 years’ experience helping organisations manage and protect critical business information. Paul leads the development of Kefron AP, an accounts payable automation solution designed to bring greater accuracy, control and visibility to invoice processing – helping finance teams work smarter, not harder. We explore how the role of Accounts Payable is shifting from a back-office function to a strategic enabler of business insight, and what that means for finance leaders today. Paul shares his perspective on the impact of AI - whether it will replace roles or redefine them – and how organisations can scale their AP operations without adding headcount. We also discuss how automation can deliver fast, low-risk gains in productivity, improve data accuracy, and strengthen audit readiness at a time when invoice volumes and compliance demands are only increasing. If you’re a CFO, finance leader, or part of a team looking to modernise your AP processes, this is a conversation packed with practical insight. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

Episode 337 - The Story Behind Oishi Sushi

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, Oishi founder Ciara Troy shares the real story behind building one of Ireland’s best known food businesses, from early mistakes and near burnout to scaling sustainably. Joined by Lucy Ryan, Head of Food & Beverage at Bank of Ireland, this episode explores funding, margins, resilience and what it really takes to grow a food brand in Ireland. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.