Byrne Wallace Shields LLP supports Ireland’s next generation of entrepreneurs

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP is very pleased to support the Entrepreneur Experience 2016. This is  a unique event where 24 Emerging Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to gain unparalleled access, advice and mentoring from 24 of Ireland’s most successful business leaders over 24 hours at Ballymaloe on the 15 and 16 April 2016.

Now in its sixth year, this event has become one of the key pillars supporting Irish Entrepreneurship. To date over 120 Emerging Entrepreneurs from over 10 countries across the globe have participated including start-ups, investor ready companies and scaling companies.

Each year, the 24 Emerging Entrepreneurs who participate are selected based on an open competition and represent three distinct groups:

• Entrepreneurs with a new idea, business plan and/or strategy road map but not yet ready for investment;
• Entrepreneurs with an investor ready proposition; and
• Entrepreneurs with an established business,  are seeking to scale (Ideally a company of 10 employees and €1m+ turnover per year with the potential to grow rapidly in the coming years).

The entrepreneurs are coached and mentored by 24 Seasoned Entrepreneurs who share their experiences and insights with one-to-one sessions, deep dive analysis, constructive group sessions, pitching sessions and inspiring plenary sessions.

Some of the seasoned entrepreneurs who have participated in the programme to date include Jim Barry, Barry Group; Larry Bass, Screentime ShinAwil; Liam Casey, PCH; Sean O’Sullivan, SOSVentures; Terry Fox, Cupprint; Grainne Kelly, Bubblebum; Bill Liao; David McKernan, Java Republic; Pádraig Ó Céidigh, AerArann; Peaches Kemp, itsa… and Eleanor McEvoy, Budget Telecom.

Past alumni of the Experience include:

• Andrew O'Shaughnessy CEO of Newsweaver who participated in the first Entrepreneur Experience in 2011. Newsweaver is one of Ireland’s most innovative high-tech companies and set to create a further 60 new jobs over the next two years; and
• Mike Webster from Mobacar; a Kerry-based travel technology company who recently signed a multi-million investment deal with global car rental brokerage Auto Europe and venture capital firm Delta Partners. The deal values the Killarney-headquartered company at €20 million.

For more information on the Entrepreneur Experience 2016 and for details of this year’s emerging entrepreneurs, visit http://www.entrepreneurexperience.ie/home

Pictured left-right: Darren Daly, Partner, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Corporate Team with Pete Smyth, CEO, Broadlake