ThinkBusiness.ie

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Episodes

338

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-IE

About the show

ThinkBusiness.ie, powered by Bank of Ireland, has been created for Irish business owners and managers who are seeking information, resources and help on a range of business topics. It provides practical, actionable information and guidance on starting, growing and running a business. It offers guides, tools, templates, checklists and a wealth of other content tailored to meet the needs of Irish business owners and managers. It also showcases case studies, with insights, tips and advice from Irish start-up entrepreneurs and business owners. Bank of Ireland is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.URL: www.thinkbusinessTwitter: @thinkbusinessieLinkedIn: ThinkBusiness.ieFacebook: ThinkBusiness.ie

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 33936 min

Episode 339 - Calypso AI CEO Donnchadh Casey and David Blendis, strategy director, Rowdy

When Irish tech firm CalypsoAI was acquired by global security giant F5 for $180 million, the spotlight landed on its AI security technology – but there’s a deeper story behind the deal.In fast-moving categories like AI, it’s not just what you build, but how you’re perceived. CalypsoAI didn’t just compete in AI security – it helped define it. And that positioning can directly influence who gets acquired, and for how much.Today, we’re exploring the role of brand as a strategic asset – one that shapes trust, narrative, and ultimately valuation.I’m joined by Donnchadh Casey, CEO of CalypsoAI, and David Blendis, Strategy Director at Rowdy Studio.Together, they’ll unpack why brand isn’t just marketing - it’s leverage.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

June 12, 2026Episode 33826 min

Episode 338 - Paul Kearns, CFO, Kefron

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the evolving world of finance operations and the growing strategic importance of Accounts Payable in the Office of the CFO.I’m joined by Paul Kearns, CEO of Irish software company Kefron, which has more than 30 years’ experience helping organisations manage and protect critical business information. Paul leads the development of Kefron AP, an accounts payable automation solution designed to bring greater accuracy, control and visibility to invoice processing – helping finance teams work smarter, not harder.We explore how the role of Accounts Payable is shifting from a back-office function to a strategic enabler of business insight, and what that means for finance leaders today. Paul shares his perspective on the impact of AI - whether it will replace roles or redefine them – and how organisations can scale their AP operations without adding headcount.We also discuss how automation can deliver fast, low-risk gains in productivity, improve data accuracy, and strengthen audit readiness at a time when invoice volumes and compliance demands are only increasing.If you’re a CFO, finance leader, or part of a team looking to modernise your AP processes, this is a conversation packed with practical insight.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

June 10, 2026Episode 33734 min

Episode 337 - The Story Behind Oishi Sushi

In this episode of the ThinkBusiness Podcast, Oishi founder Ciara Troy shares the real story behind building one of Ireland’s best known food businesses, from early mistakes and near burnout to scaling sustainably. Joined by Lucy Ryan, Head of Food & Beverage at Bank of Ireland, this episode explores funding, margins, resilience and what it really takes to grow a food brand in Ireland.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

June 5, 2026Episode 33623 min

Episode 336 - All Island Bioeconomy Summit 2026

Today, we’re exploring the growing momentum behind Ireland’s bioeconomy – a space where agriculture, energy, and sustainability intersect to create new opportunities.From biomethane and renewable fuels to circular farming systems and new revenue streams, this is about rethinking how we use resources – and how we build a more sustainable future.In this episode, we hear from leaders across finance, farming, and industry, recorded at the All-Island Bioeconomy Summit which took place at Johnstown House in County Meath recently.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

June 4, 2026Episode 33545 min

Episode 335 - Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer, Microsoft

Ireland is fast becoming one of the most AI-enabled economies in the world — with over 90% of organisations already using or planning to use artificial intelligence. But beneath that headline success story, a more complex picture is emerging.A new report from Trinity College Dublin and Microsoft Ireland reveals a growing divide: while large organisations are accelerating ahead — unlocking thousands of hours of productivity every month — many SMEs are still stuck in the early stages of adoption.And that gap isn’t just technical — it’s about skills, strategy, and ultimately, the future competitiveness of the Irish economy.So what does this ‘two-speed AI economy’ really mean? Why are SMEs struggling to keep pace — and what needs to change to unlock the next wave of growth? Today, I’m joined by Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer at Microsoft Ireland, who’s right at the centre of this conversation.We’ll discuss what the data really tells us, where Irish businesses are getting AI right — and where they risk falling behind.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

May 29, 2026Episode 33431 min

Episode 334 - Alan Dunne, Archive Capital

We are joined by Alan Dunne, founder of Archive Capital, for a wide-ranging conversation on how investors are navigating an increasingly uncertain world.From shifting market dynamics to structural challenges in Ireland, we explore what’s really on investors’ minds right now – and whether traditional approaches to investing are still fit for purpose.We dig into some of the big questions facing Irish wealth today: with over €170 billion sitting on deposit, is too much capital standing still? Are Irish investors still overly tied to property? And how does the wealth management landscape here compare to what’s available globally?Alan also shares his perspective on where opportunities are being missed, how to think about exposure to the US in the current environment, and whether institutional investors approach things differently – and if they should.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

May 27, 2026Episode 33319 min

Episode 333 - Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, Open Doors Initiative

Ireland is at near full employment—but beneath that headline success lies a stark contradiction. Around one in five people in Ireland lives with a disability, yet fewer than half of those of working age are in employment, creating one of the widest disability employment gaps in the European Union.It’s a gap that isn’t about talent or ambition—but about how our systems, workplaces, and policies have been designed.A new report from the Open Doors Initiative, From Awareness to Action, argues that closing this gap isn’t just a social issue—it’s an economic and leadership imperative. It calls for a shift away from traditional corporate social responsibility toward what it terms Corporate Social Justice: embedding inclusion into the very core of how organisations hire, manage, and lead.And the prize is significant—not just for individuals facing an additional €8,000–€12,000 a year in the cost of disability—but for businesses too, with research showing more inclusive organisations are more productive and more profitable.To unpack all of this, I’m joined today by Jeanne McDonagh, CEO of the Open Doors Initiative—an organisation working at the intersection of business, government and lived experience to build a more inclusive workforce.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

May 22, 202635 min

Episode 332 - Alvina Antar, chief digital officer, F5

Today I’m joined by someone who sits right at the centre of the future of work technology and business transformation.Alvina Antar is the Chief Digital Officer at F5 – and notably, the first to hold that role in the company’s history. At a time when organisations everywhere are trying to move from digital ambition to real transformation, Alvina is helping redefine what that journey actually looks like inside a deeply technical, global business.But this isn’t just about systems or platforms. It’s about building what she calls the ‘new F5’ — and just as importantly, the new kind of employee and culture needed to power it. From reimagining how humans and AI work together, to shaping high-performance, human-first organisations, Alvina brings a perspective that’s both deeply strategic and refreshingly grounded in people.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

May 20, 2026Episode 33131 min

Episode 331 - Dee Lyons, founder, Acuru

Everyone’s talking about AI replacing jobs. Very few are asking what happens next, especially for the people just starting their careers. Dee Lyons is one of those few. She’s the Founder and CEO of Acuru, an AI-powered capability platform working with some of the largest professional services firms in Ireland and the UK. And she’s got a front-row seat to a structural shift that’s only just beginning. Because if AI is quietly removing the repetitive, ground-level work that used to train junior professionals… how do they build judgement? How do they learn to think? Today, we’re digging into what it actually means to develop professional capability in an AI-native world – and why the firms that get this right early will have a serious edge.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.

May 18, 2026Episode 33025 min

Episode 330 - Instech's Gary Leydon on positioning Ireland as a global innovator for insuretech and fintech

Ireland has built a reputation as a global hub for financial services – but building world‑class fintech and insurtech companies from a small island still comes with very real challenges.From attracting talent and scaling internationally, to regulation, capital, and competition – success doesn’t happen by accident.Today, I’m joined by Gary Leyden, the CEO of Instech, who is focused on positioning Ireland as a global hub for insurance innovationWe spoke about what Ireland gets right, where it still needs to raise its game, and what it really takes to build globally ambitious fintech companies from here.Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.