Local entrepreneurs head off on networking trip of a lifetime

Four Connacht-based companies – three of them from Galway and all shortlisted for EY Entrepreneur of the Year – have touched down in Berlin for the 2015 EY Entrepreneur of the Year CEO Retreat.

The invitation-only CEO Retreat will see the group of entrepreneurs travel to Berlin and Munich on a week-long executive education programme focused on the future of industry.

Joined by over 110 of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs, the Connacht EOY finalists attending the CEO Retreat include Sean Brett (Steeltech Sheds, Galway); Denise Tormey (PlanNet21, Galway); Michael O’Dwyer (TyreCheck, Kinvara) and Paul Young (Cartoon Saloon, Roscommon).

“Regardless of sector, technology is increasingly going to transform the way that all businesses operate and develop their strategies in the future. The speed of innovation is accelerating; and keeping apace with this rapid change is essential to survival in the fiercely competitive business landscape” commented Kevin McLoughlin, Partner Lead for EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

“With this in mind, we have constructed a future-focused Retreat that will educate our group on the disruptive forces at play across all industries and equip them with the knowledge to build forward-looking strategies for their businesses and their people.”

The first leg of the Retreat was held in Dublin over the weekend and included talks from Managing Partner for EY Ireland, Mike McKerr, on the professional services firm’s growth story and future aspirations; EOY Alumnus, Colm Lyon (Pay with Fire) who shared the story behind Realex Payments’ journey from startup to recent exit; as well as David Hunt (Agrilarity) who discussed the future of agri-preneurship and the opportunities this holds for farmers, consumers and technologists alike.

“Germany is one of Ireland’s most resilient export markets making it a fitting choice for our first European Retreat,” explained Kevin McLoughlin.

“Total trade between Ireland and Germany amounts to over €20 billion per annum, and, as Europe’s largest economy and the world’s second largest exporting nation, gaining a foothold in Germany presents a number of opportunities for Irish entrepreneurs to further internationalise their businesses,” he added.

Fostering collaboration is central to the design of the CEO Retreat, which includes sectoral break-out groups and relaxed networking opportunities for the group of entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges they’re facing in a trusted environment.

To date, over 51% of the EOY community of entrepreneurs have done business together and the annual CEO Retreat is often referenced as the source of many new business partnerships and ideas.