8.30 to 9.15
REGISTRATION & COFFEE
9.15 to 9.25
Welcome & Opening
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 | Conor Carmody, Skillnet Innovation Exchange
9.25 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 9.55
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
9.55 to 10.10
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
10.10 to 10.30
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
10.30 to 10.55
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 | Conor O'Mahony, Vision Contracting
10.55 to 11.05
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
11.05 to 11.30
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
11.30 to 11.40
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
11.40 to 12.10
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
12.10 to 12.35
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
12.35 to 12.50
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
12.50 to 13.20
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
