John Kennedy

St Patrick’s Festival CEO eyes €138m boost | ThinkBusiness Interview with St Patrick’s Festival CEO Richard Tierney on transforming Ireland’s biggest cultural event, driving €138m impact and expanding global reach.

St Patrick’s Festival CEO Richard Tierney says Ireland’s national celebration is no longer just a parade, it has become an economic engine

Listen to the #podcast and read more here: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ric...

#irish #business #culture #festival #stpatricksday #entertainment

Seeking Ireland’s Best Managed Companies | ThinkBusiness Deloitte opens entries for the 2026 Best Managed Companies Awards, inviting ambitious Irish firms to join a leading network of high‑performing businesses.

Deloitte has opened applications for its 2026 Best Managed Companies Awards, calling on ambitious indigenous businesses across Ireland and Northern Ireland to take part

Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/del...

#irish #business #scalingbusiness #governance #SMEs

Qualcom invests €500k in new AI practice | ThinkBusiness Qualcom invests €500k to launch a new AI practice, expand its team and deliver secure AI services through a partnership with NROC for Irish organisations.

🤖 Qualcom commits €500k to new AI practice as demand for secure AI accelerates

Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/qua...

#irish #business #ai #tech #scalingbusiness

Irish female founder funding stalls | ThinkBusiness Female founder funding in Ireland fell in 2025 despite record deal activity, with early-stage rounds rising and regional funding gaps widening across the ecosystem.

📉 New data shows Ireland’s female founders are securing more deals than ever, but with far less capital behind them

👉 Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...

#FemaleFounders #irish #business #Startups #VentureCapital #TechIreland #WomenInBusiness #Funding @techireland.bsky.social

Certa powers up €50m solar programme | ThinkBusiness Certa launches a €50m Solar as a Service programme, signing deals with Jabil and Lindab to deliver 50 MW of commercial solar projects for Irish businesses.

Certa has kicked off a €50m Solar as a Service programme in Ireland with its first commercial deals signed by Jabil and Lindab

Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/cer...

#renewableenergy #solarpower #sustainability #Ireland #energytransition #cleantech #Certa #DCC #SolarasaService

Tayto makes tasty bet on rooftop solar | ThinkBusiness Tayto Snacks invests €1.17m in a major rooftop solar system supplying 10% of its energy, as Activ8 completes a 1,734-panel installation to boost sustainability.

Tayto makes tasty bet on rooftop solar for on-site generation

Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/tay...

#Renewables #Ireland #Manufacturing #SolarEnergy #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #Activ8 #TaytoSnacks

Workers seek clarity as AI spend rises | ThinkBusiness Irish leaders increase AI investment and hiring plans for 2026 as employees call for clarity and reassurance on how new technologies will affect roles and skills.

Divide grows between employees and bosses over AI

Irish business leaders are accelerating AI investment and hiring at a pace unmatched across Europe – but employees remain uncertain about what this shift means for them

Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...

#ai #tech #irish #business

Zippay to reshape Irish P2P payments | ThinkBusiness Zippay launches in Ireland as AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB introduce a new in‑app mobile payment service developed with Nexi, enabling instant person‑to‑person transfers.

Zippay set to reshape Irish peer-to-peer payments

Major Irish banks to introduce in app payment tool developed with European paytech Nexi

#Zippay #Fintech #IrishBanking #PaymentsInnovation #DigitalPayments #Ireland #irish #Business

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/zip...

Women entrepreneurs must ‘back themselves’ | ThinkBusiness Visa opens applications for the 2026 She’s Next Grant Programme, offering €90,000 in funding and mentorship from leading Irish businesswomen to support women entrepreneurs.

Visa urges Irish women entrepreneurs to ‘back themselves’ as She’s Next 2026 opens

5 grants worth a combined €90,000 and mentorship from leading business figures aim to widen access to funding.

#ShesNext #Visa #Entrepreneurship #IrishBusiness #irish #business

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/vis...

‘A Tayto bag leaves Ireland every 30 mins’ | ThinkBusiness Irish snacks are surging in global demand as The Paddy Box ships Tayto, tea and Irish treats worldwide ahead of St Patrick’s Day, led by Australia and the US.

‘A bag of Tayto leaves Ireland every 30 minutes’

Grá for a taste of home powers global shipping surge for The Paddy Box. Diaspora demand sends tea and classic Irish treats around the world ahead of St Patrick’s Day

#irish #ecommerce #business #paddysday #food
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/the...

My Business Life: Eleanor Dempsey, Auxilion | ThinkBusiness Insights from Eleanor Dempsey of Auxilion on leadership, digital transformation, strategy, and shaping sustainable business growth through people‑centred execution.

My Business Life: Auxilion’s Eleanor Dempsey on strategy, leadership and the real meaning of transformation

#digitaltransformation #tech #leadership #irish #business

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/my-...

Ireland advances in PwC Women in Work Index | ThinkBusiness Ireland climbs to 11th in PwC’s Women in Work Index 2026 as the gender pay gap narrows sharply, marking the strongest improvement among OECD countries.

Ireland records strongest advance in PwC’s Women in Work Index

Sharp fall in gender pay gap lifts Ireland to 11th place among OECD economies.

#Ireland #GenderEquality #IWD2026 #WomenInWork #PwC #OECD #LabourMarket

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...

Irish unicorn Workhuman hits 8m users | ThinkBusiness Workhuman surpasses 8 million users and over 100 million recognition moments as its global rewards marketplace exceeds $1B in annual redemptions.

Irish unicorn Workhuman hits 8m users

Dublin-born employee recognition business Workhuman sees rapid global adoption and more than $1bn a year spent in its rewards marketplace

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/wor...

#Workhuman #HRTech #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #irish #business

Why hard work alone won’t get you promoted | ThinkBusiness Business coach Brendan Foley reveals the invisible rules of corporate success, from organisational dynamics to the BRAVE framework for career advancement.

Why do some employees rise quickly while others remain overlooked?

In the latest ThinkBusiness Podcast with business coach and author Brendan Foley, we explored the unspoken dynamics shaping modern career progression.

#business #careers #leadership

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/inv...

€6m STEM community projects boost | ThinkBusiness Ireland allocates nearly €6m to 32 community‑focused STEM projects, supporting early learning, practical science and nationwide engagement through the Discover Programme.

Ireland invests nearly €6m to widen STEM access nationwide

Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...

#irish #science #STEM #careers #funding #community

Specsavers and Medical Optics share a bigger vision - Think Business Specsavers Ireland, Medical Optics, Dublin eye care, ophthalmology services, digital eye triage, eye health partnership, cataract care Ireland, optometry Dublin, specialist eye care, Total Care model

Specsavers partners with Medical Optics to expand access to specialist eye care
#EyeCare #Healthcare #Innovation #Irish #Business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/spe...

Grants for growing SMEs | ThinkBusiness Discover key Irish SME grants for digital transformation, AI adoption, and export expansion, including LEO and Enterprise Ireland supports and eligibility criteria.

Grants for growing SMEs: A new analysis by Mark Cullen explores the extensive range of grants now available – and how many established businesses still don’t realise they qualify
#irish #business #SMEs #grants #supports #digitaltransformation #exports #scaling
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...

Propel to boost offshore wind innovation | ThinkBusiness New initiative aims to connect developers, SMEs and researchers as Government seeks to position Ireland as a major player in global offshore wind markets. Enterprise Ireland has launched a new innovat...

🍃 Ireland has taken a major step forward in its offshore wind ambitions with the launch of Propel Ireland, a new innovation centre led by Enterprise Ireland ⚓
#offshorewind #wind #innovation #energy #cleanenergy #irish #business @entirl.bsky.social
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ent...

Ireland-Pakistan trade ties surge to $500m | ThinkBusiness Trade between Ireland and Pakistan has surged to $500m. Angela Canavan discusses the opportunities, networks and business potential driving this fast‑growing partnership.

🚢 Ireland–Pakistan Trade Surges Toward €500m as New Opportunities Emerge

👉 Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...

#irish #pakistan #business #exports #trade #SMEs

From banking to business coaching | ThinkBusiness Discover how former banking executive Louise Keenan Clarke built Succeed With Confidence, helping leaders and entrepreneurs elevate communication skills in the AI era.

💼 From banking boardrooms to business coaching

Louise Keenan Clarke stepped out of the corporate banking world – and straight into the spotlight as a rising leadership and communication coach
#Leadership #CareerTransitions #AIWorkplace #CommunicationSkills

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/lou...

Ireland sets out €650m research plan | ThinkBusiness Ireland launches a new research and innovation strategy for 2026–2030, boosting PhDs, spin-outs and policy-focused research to strengthen competitiveness.

Ireland has set out one of its most ambitious research agendas to date, with the launch of Research Ireland’s inaugural strategy for 2026–2030
#irish #research #science #innovation #economy #phds #spinouts
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...

Surge in Irish entrepreneurial ambition | ThinkBusiness Ireland’s Local Enterprise Week 2026 launches with 330 events as new research shows nearly one third of adults have a business idea they want to pursue.

New research released for Local Enterprise Week 2026 shows that nearly one in three Irish adults has a business idea they want to pursue

Full story: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...

#Ireland #Entrepreneurship #LocalEnterpriseWeek #Startups #SmallBusiness #SME #irish #business

Ireland launches first Digital Trust Mark | ThinkBusiness Ireland launches its first Digital Trust Mark as new data shows rising cyber attacks on major firms, giving businesses a way to demonstrate verified online trust.

Ireland has taken a major step forward in online security today with the launch of the country’s first Digital Trust Mark
#irish #business #SMEs #ecommerce #fraud #infosec #cybersecurity
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...

Entrepreneur champions ‘portfolio careers’ | ThinkBusiness Podcast Ep 314: Workers face fewer graduate roles, prompting entrepreneur Conor Lynch to champion portfolio careers, personal branding, and building long‑term career assets.

🪜 #Podcast: The traditional career ladder is collapsing 💼
In his new book Learn Earn Own Conor Lynch argues that workers can no longer rely on linear, single employer career paths as graduate and junior roles continue to shrink
#careers #work #ai
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/por...

The HR foundations every SME needs | ThinkBusiness Discover the essential HR foundations SMEs need to reduce compliance stress, strengthen processes, and build confidence in an evolving regulatory landscape.

The HR foundations every SME needs
With audit anxiety rising, HRLocker CEO Crystel Robbins Rynne explains how stronger HR frameworks help SMEs regain compliance confidence.
#hr #work #compliance #tech #irish #business #SMEs
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/hr-...

Irish horse businesses galloping ahead | ThinkBusiness Discover Ireland’s best horse racing companies, from equine tech and feed brands to apparel, stabling, supplements and more – supporting trainers, owners and riders.

🐴 Irish equine businesses are galloping ahead 🏇

Barry Walsh reveals how Ireland continues to punch above its weight in global equestrian excellence.

#equine #horses #horseracing #cheltenham #tech #sport #bloodstock

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/bes...

Data centres key to Ireland’s AI future | ThinkBusiness Ireland’s AI-driven data centre boom is accelerating. Discover how digital‑green convergence, renewable energy, and policy reforms are shaping the country’s tech future.

💽 Ireland is entering a defining moment in the global AI race - and whether we like it or not, data centres are at the heart of it⚡

Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/dig...

#Ireland #AI #DigitalInfrastructure #DataCentres #Sustainability #TechNews #RenewableEnergy #FDI #DigitalGreen

CrannMed secures €12.5m from EU fund | ThinkBusiness CrannMed secures €12.5m from the European Innovation Council to advance SakuraBead, its resorbable microsphere therapy for chronic inflammatory pain.

#Galway medtech CrannMed secures up to €12.5m from the European Innovation Council to advance its resorbable microsphere technology
#irish #medtech #business #funding #innovation
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/cra...

Irish businesses push AI into the day-to-day | ThinkBusiness Irish businesses accelerate AI adoption as integration challenges, cautious data governance and cost goals shape strategies, according to Mark Kelly’s 2026 survey.

🤖 AI Ireland report reveals 74% of Irish businesses are accelerating their shift from AI pilots to real world production ☘️

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Ireland #irish #business #Enterprise #Tech #AIAdoption

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...

Plans for Mayo green hydrogen hub fire ahead | ThinkBusiness Green hydrogen pilot at Bellanaboy moves forward as Gas Networks Ireland and the Corrib JV partner to explore renewable hydrogen production and future energy opportunities.

Gas Networks Ireland and the Corrib Joint Venture have signed strategic collaboration agreement to advance a green hydrogen pilot at the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal in Co Mayo
#greenhydrogen #renewableenergy #energy #mayo #irish #business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/gas...