Innovation Summit

Clayton Hotel Silver Springs - Cork

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What does it take to build a more competitive, higher-performing business?

That question sits at the heart of Innovation Summit 2026. Bringing together business leaders, innovators and experts, the Summit will explore the technologies, ideas and approaches helping organisations improve performance, unlock growth and prepare for what’s next.

From AI and digital transformation to investment, leadership and collaborative innovation, expect fresh perspectives, real business stories and practical insights.

Agenda

8.30 to 9.15

REGISTRATION & COFFEE

9.15 to 9.20

Welcome From technology and AI to changing customer expectations, economic pressures and new ways of working, this summit will identify the shifts that matter most — and what organisations are doing to stay ahead.
Sinead O'Riordan , Skillnet Innovation Exchange

9.20 to 9.30

Skills for Growth: Talent as a driver of innovation and performance Access to a highly skilled workforce is critical to helping businesses innovate and succeed. This keynote will explore the skills challenges facing businesses today and how enterprise-led upskilling can help drive innovation, productivity and competitiveness for Irish SMEs.
Mark Jordan , Skillnet Ireland

9.30 to 9.50

Ireland’s Opportunities in a More Competitive Europe: How Europe is creating the conditions for businesses to innovate, grow and compete Against a backdrop of rapid technological change, geopolitical uncertainty and intensifying global competition, Europe is putting competitiveness, innovation and growth at the heart of its agenda.
Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection

9.50 to 10.05

AI Beyond the Hype: How AI is reshaping productivity, performance and competitive advantage AI has moved from experimentation to strategic business priority. This keynote will cut through the noise to explore where AI is creating real value, how leading organisations are approaching adoption and what business leaders should be doing now to realise the potential of AI.
Keynote: Brian Hanly, Brightbeam

10.05 to 10.20

AI in Action - Real customers. Real solutions. Real impact. Moving from the big picture to practical application, this session will showcase real examples of AI being deployed to solve business challenges. Through customer and solution-provider stories, we’ll explore the potential, implementation and impact.
Panel: Niall Norton, Tech Ireland | Anna Browne, Dataconversion | Cuty Gupta, Cozmotec | Fiona Ryan, Colata

10.20 to 10.45

Innovation That Delivers - How businesses are using technology and collaboration to improve performance and scale Innovation doesn't have to mean developing everything in-house. This panel will explore how businesses are identifying challenges, embracing digital technologies and collaborating with external innovators to deliver better outcomes — from improving operations and customer experience to unlocking growth and new opportunities.
Panel: Brid O’Connell, Guaranteed Irish | Cailin, Keaney Oroko | Colin O’Brien, Ryanair

10.45 to 10.55

Opportunity Spotlight: The emerging challenges in global sport creating opportunities for innovators The inside track on an emerging global sports sector challenge in the lead-up to LA28 — and an opportunity for ambitious innovators to respond to a global opportunity.
Keynote: Benny Cullen, Sport Ireland

10.55 to 11.20

COFFEE & CONVERSATION

11.20 to 11.30

The Human Advantage: Why mindset, adaptability and human potential matters As technology transforms how we work and compete, the human qualities that drive performance become even more important. A fresh perspective on ambition, adaptability and high performance — and why the future of competitive advantage will still be fundamentally human.
Keynote: Jason Smyth MBE, Six-Time Paralympic Champion

11.30 to 12.00

Investment Round: Backing Ireland's next generation of ambitious businesses Access to the right funding at the right stage can determine how quickly an ambitious business can grow. This panel will explore the funding landscape for Irish companies, what investors and funders are looking for and how businesses can position themselves to access the capital and support they need to scale.
Panel: Marie Donnellan, Platform 94 | Richard Watson, Furthr VC | Conor Lyden, Trustapp | Dr Karim Bahou, Sister | Cathal Ó Conaill, Udaras na Gaeltachta

12.00 to 12.25

From Entry to Exit: The challenges and lessons of scaling a successful business A candid founder conversation about the highs, lows and pivots involved in building a successful business — from winning customers and building teams to raising capital and breaking into new markets.
Fireside chat: Joe Lennon, WorkVivo | Johnathan Healy, Healy Communications

12.25 to 12.40

Around the Corner - The technologies, trends and opportunities shaping the future of business We take a look beyond today's priorities at what is coming next. This keynote will explore the emerging technologies and trends likely to reshape industries, business models and customer expectations — and challenge leaders to think about what they should be preparing for.
Keynote: Eoin Coughlan, IBM

12.40 to 13.15

Winning in 2030 - What will separate tomorrow's winners from the rest? The Summit closes by looking further ahead: what will distinguish the organisations that thrive in 2030? Bringing together different perspectives from business, technology and innovation, the panel will explore the capabilities leaders need to build now to compete successfully in a world of constant change.
Panel: Niamh Sterling, HBAN | Gillian Bergin, Dell | Simon McAllister, EY | Eoin McDonnell, Skillnet Ireland | DC Cahalane, Suir Valley Ventures

13.15

LUNCH & NETWORKING

We were also proud to announce the launch of our 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 initiative, which follows the proven Innovation Exchange model — connecting corporates with innovative digital solution providers to address real business challenges. This new initiative will support companies in meeting growing ESG data and reporting requirements, making sustainability reporting faster, smarter, and more cost-effective.

“Don’t be afraid to innovate and try, because it’s only through innovation that we’re going to stay competitive.”

We were delighted to interview Guaranteed Irish CEO, Brid O’Connell at the Innovation Summit, where we discussed our Digital for Growth partnership. Guaranteed Irish represents over 2,000 Irish businesses, bringing a strong national network and a clear commitment to sustainable and responsible business growth.

2026 Speakers & Panellists

We’ll be revealing more speakers over the coming days.

2025 Innovation Summit Highlights

When we set out to design this event, our goal was to bring together 200 innovators and business leaders committed to realising Ireland’s economic potential through collaborative innovation — and to explore the key drivers of business success today: digital transformation, 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁, and 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.

The 2025 Innovation Summit delivered on that ambition. The insights, discussions, and connections shared by our 26 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀, and 𝗸𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 have been invaluable in shaping a shared vision for Ireland’s 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺.

A key highlight of the day was the launch of the 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, reflecting the tangible progress achieved since inception:

€𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 in deal revenue generated for SMEs.
𝟯𝟬+ 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 signed between corporates and scaling companies.
𝟳𝟬+ 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱, streamlining how corporates source solutions.
𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱, with a strong focus on commercial capability.
𝟱𝟬+ 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 delivered annually.
𝗔 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 ensuring accessibility and reach.

“Don’t be afraid to innovate and try, because it’s only through innovation that we’re going to stay competitive.”

2025 Speakers & Panellists

Dr Lorna Ross

VHI Healthcare

Dermot Mee

Fourier Earth

Ultan Ó Fatharta

Udarás na Gaeltachta

Michelle Billham

InterTrade Ireland

Declan Quinn

Ascentifi

Ciara Greaney

White Spire

Marie Donnellan

Platform94

Donal Gallagher

Quaternion

David Barrett

Welliba

Benny Cullen

Sport Ireland

Anne O'Connor

Vhi Health & Wellbeing

Ken Finnegan

Skillnet Ireland

Sue Gannon

Platform 94

Brid O'Connell

Guaranteed Irish

Tomás Ó Síocháin

Udarás na Gaeltachta

Stephen O'Driscoll

Research Ireland

John Clancy

Galvia

Laughlin Rigby

Core Optimisation

Mary Rodgers

Porter Shed

Darren Frehill

RTE

Resource Centre