Entrepreneurship 2.0 – Building Stronger Entrepreneurship is hosted by the Digital Transformation Lab @ UCC and focuses on building stronger entrepreneurship capabilities and connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders. It takes place in Cork City on Thurs 20th June as part of the global World Business Angel Investors Week 2024.
The World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) is an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion.
The event hosted by the Digital Transformation Lab @ UCC focuses on building stronger entrepreneurship capabilities and connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and other stakeholders.
Topics of interest are diverse and are not limited to the following: (1) startups, (2) SMEs, (3) innovation, (4) AI in entrepreneurship, (5) diversity and inclusion, (6) etc. etc.
Speakers include Ed Morrison who is co-author of the book “Strategic Doing – Ten Skills for Agile Leadership”. Ed is the director of the Agile Strategy Lab at Purdue University and the founder of the Strategic Doing Institute. For over 25 years, he has pioneered network-based models for strategy, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the global economy. His Strategic Doing methodology is widely adopted across the U.S. and gaining international attention. Ed’s work has earned prestigious recognition, including the Arthur D. Little Award for excellence in economic development.
Tony Moroney is an internationally recognized advisor in strategy, digital transformation, and financial services. As a Senator for Ireland at the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) and a board member of the World Smart Cities Economic Development Commission, Tony is a key figure in global digital transformation initiatives. He co-founded The Digital Transformation Lab at Cork University Business School and holds various influential roles, including with the World Metaverse Council. Recognized by Thinkers 360 and other organizations as a top thought leader in multiple fields, Tony is a sought-after keynote speaker and advisor, working with clients worldwide on strategy, innovation, and governance. He serves as the Programme Director for several leadership and transformation programs at the Irish Management Institute (IMI) and lectures on AI, digital disruption, and FinTech innovation.
Joan Mulvihill is the Digitalisation and Sustainability Lead for Siemens in Ireland and a recognized thought leader at the intersection of human creativity and digital transformation. She brings a unique perspective, informed by her artistic practice, to her role, emphasizing the importance of balancing data-driven approaches with human-centric leadership. Joan is also a board member of the Contemporary Irish Art Society, the Public Relations Institute of Ireland, and the Industrial Research and Development Group. With extensive experience across various sectors, including ICT, retail, and manufacturing, she has been a driving force in technology adoption in Ireland. An experienced public speaker and former CEO of the Irish Internet Association, Joan has received numerous accolades for her contributions to digital innovation and sustainability.
Breda O’Dwyer (BBS, MBA, PhD, NCEE Fellow in Entrepreneurship) is a Senior Lecturer and founder of the Cantillon Academy at Munster Technological University. She has been instrumental in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Breda has co-designed award-winning programs like Design4SMEs, targeting founders, researchers, policy makers, and corporate teams to stimulate entrepreneurial mindsets. Her work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of innovative solutions, contributing to the entrepreneurial landscape both nationally and internationally. Breda has also served as Vice President for Education and Practitioner Learning with ISBE and serves on various boards in the public and private sectors.
Before focusing on healthcare innovation, Caitriona Heffernan worked for over 15 years as a Speech and Language Therapist in the UK and Ireland. In her roles, she drives innovation by providing funding, support, and mentorship to healthcare ‘intrapreneurs’ and entrepreneurs in Ireland through the Spark Innovation Programme and Health Innovation Hub Ireland. Caitriona holds qualifications from the Royal College of Physicians Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, with a special interest in Design Thinking. She is currently researching the barriers and enablers for healthcare staff engaging in innovation in the Irish healthcare system. Caitriona is passionate about enhancing innovation pipelines and applying design principles to improve healthcare services. Her work aims to empower healthcare professionals to implement innovative solutions effectively.
Katharine Roff supports individuals, communities, and organizations in developing and practicing human skills daily. She focuses on bridging the gap between thinking and doing to inspire positive change, emphasizing the power of emotions and behavior in managing, leading, and transforming. Key areas include emotional resilience, empathetic leadership, culture change, managing challenges, and fostering thriving communities. Known for her creativity, authenticity, and insightful facilitation, Katharine simplifies complex concepts and develops practical strategies to drive meaningful transition and transformation.
Frank Madden is an expert in Manufacturing Operations and the founder and former CEO of Crest Solutions, established in 1998. With a background in electronics manufacturing and a notable role at Apple Inc., Frank drove Crest Solutions to deliver innovative solutions in Machine Vision, Serialization, and Industry 4.0 for Life Sciences. In 2020, he expanded the company’s global reach by merging with Xyntek and VistaLink to form CXV Global Ltd. His leadership has garnered awards such as Cork Chamber’s Large Company of the Year and Deloitte’s Best Managed Company. Frank successfully sold a stake in his business to Water Street Healthcare Partners, creating a global powerhouse. He is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs, often sharing his business insights at various events.
Oran O’Flynn is the founder of Talio, an innovative AI research software startup based in Dublin. He was selected for the Founders programme by Dogpatch Labs, funded by Enterprise Ireland, Oran is dedicated to revolutionising the research process by empowering researchers with advanced AI technology. Talio’s software provides researchers with solutions from AI transcription to in-depth topic analysis, fundamentally changing the market research workflow. Oran’s work at Talio aims to transform the entire research landscape, making complex data more accessible and actionable for researchers across various fields. From being a NASA alumnus, Oran brings a unique blend of technical expertise and visionary thinking to his role.
Eamon Curtin has a diverse career spanning engineering, management, consultancy, and entrepreneurship support. With 17 years in multinational companies and a decade as a management consultant, he has since 2012 developed programs to help recent graduates launch startups. Eamon led successful product development teams and built a startup incubation program at University College Cork. He focuses on entrepreneurship, innovation, and business model development. Eamon is an Expert Evaluator for the EU’s EASME SME Instrument and a member of Enterprise Ireland’s Mentor Panel. He holds an Engineering degree from the University of Limerick and an MBA from University College Cork.
Keith Finglas is the Chief Success Officer at Waypoint, where he enhances team collaboration, organizational innovation, and project management. With expertise in helping organizations improve their strategic planning and execution, Keith has supported diverse clients, from South American banks to Irish semi-state companies. His work includes setting up innovative PMOs, applying Design Thinking, and leading high-impact projects across sectors like medical devices, financial services, and manufacturing. Keith also lectures on Project Management and Design Thinking at UCD, Atlantic Technology University, and Engineers Ireland, and runs a youth academy program in Design Thinking.
Oliver Farrell is the owner and founder of WildFuture, established in 2021, focusing on nature restoration, strategic offsites, and wild thinking. He co-founded Vilicom, an engineering consultancy specializing in mobile network solutions, and led it from 1999 to 2021. Additionally, Oliver was a founding board member of Ludgate from 2014 to 2022, a pioneering initiative that created a rural digital ecosystem in Skibbereen, West Cork, featuring a 1GB connection, a Digital Hub, and a Startup Incubator.
The Digital Transformation Lab @ UCC (www.dt-lab.ie) is a network of stakeholders interested in developing, validating, and sharing best practices in Digital Transformation. We do this through: (1) supporting peer-to-peer learning within the network; (2) undertaking and sharing research findings; (3) organising regular online and face-to-face networking events; (4) organising thought leadership events and masterclasses; and (5) using podcasts, blogs, and social media activities to share our message’.
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