Ireland among 132 countries celebrating the World Business Angels Investor Week

The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is a #G20 affiliate partner for financial inclusion. The World Business Angel Investors Week, a global celebration spanning 132 countries, is a testament to the power of our collective efforts. This week, over 200,000 entrepreneurs, startups, investors, innovators, policymakers, university professors and thought leaders worldwide will unite in discussions on entrepreneurship and innovation, shaping the future of business on a global scale.

By fostering collaboration and implementing inclusive strategies, we collectively cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial landscape that mirrors the diverse tapestry of our global community. With this in mind, this year's World Business Angel Investors Week theme is “Fostering Diversity and Inclusion in Entrepreneurship: Building Stronger Business Ecosystems.”

The event for Ireland was held in partnership with the Digital Transformation Lab (DT-Lab) at Cork University Business School . Thanks to Dr Paidi O'Reilly, Chair of the DT-Lab, for his support, and for hosting the event in the magnificent Banking Hall in the University College Cork Executive Centre for Education in Cork.?

We had a full agenda (see below) with wonderful insights and discussion over four hours. We covered a lot of ground, and I thank all the speakers for their fantastic contributions. I also thank the audience for their active participation. The feedback afterwards was effusive, and there was a palpable sense of entrepreneurial ambition in the post-event discussions.???

Events like this are so important as they nurture our potential. Being connected, inclusive, and ever-curious is important for developing vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems.

A big thanks to Baybars Altuntas for his inspiration and leadership of the WBAF and the World Business Angel Investors Week.????

Ireland Event – 20th June 2024

Welcome Remarks, Tony Moroney, WBAF - Ireland?

Welcome Remarks by the Global Chair, Baybars Altuntas, Executive Chairman, WBAF

Keynote 1: Developing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems - Ed Morrison , Strategic Doing Institute

Panel 1 – Entrepreneurial Mindset

·?????? Breda O'Dwyer , Cantillon Academy at MTU

·?????? Katharine Roff , Act Positive

·?????? Joan Mulvihill , Siemens Ireland

Panel 2 – Sparking Entrepreneurship/Innovation

·?????? Caitriona Heffernan , Spark Innovation at HSE

·?????? Eamon Curtin , Ignite at UCC

·?????? Keith Finglas , Waypoint

Keynote 2: Unexpected insights on entrepreneurship - Paidi O Reilly , Digital Transformation Lab

Panel 3 –? Stories from the Trenches

·?????? Oran O'Flynn , Talio

·?????? Oliver Farrell , WildFuture

·?????? Frank Madden , Catalyx

?Closing Remarks – Tony Moroney, WBAF

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