Amy Neale

🚀 Ready to elevate your business game? 🚀 Our latest blog post "Gain Competitive Advantage: Discover the Power of Digital Transformation for Irish SMEs" dives deep into how digital transformation is revolutionising the way businesses operate. 💡 With the rise of new technologies, Irish SMEs are embracing digital solutions to stay ahead of the curve! Curious about the secret ingredients that can catapult your business to new heights? Head over to the blog to uncover the magic! 🌐✨ Read more: https://lnkd.in/erFHWg2u Join the conversation - let’s discuss how digital transformation is shaping up your business!👇 #DigitalTransformation #IrishSMEs #TechInnovation #BusinessGrowth

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The return to growth in the first quarter followed five consecutive quarterly declines in Irish GDP. What was striking about the Q1 figures was the surge in service exports , notably computer services, which changes the outlook for the full year. It may also be the case that AI related sales may have a significant impact on Irish service exports for some time to come, and therefore Irish GDP. https://danmclaughlin.ie/

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I've listened to this interview with DC Cahalane & Gary Fox twice now, and one thing that really strikes me is DC's description of Ireland's unique business advantage... ...no, not the cliché of being a national of friendly storytellers (which doesn't hurt), but his point that we have a really comprehensive structure for supporting entrepreneurs. It's broad, it covers multiple sectors, it helps businesses & founders of any kind, large or small. And because Ireland itself is small, everyone knows someone who's navigated it or is part of it. We have an infrastructure that's second to none, backed by Local Enterprise Offices, Connected Hubs, Enterprise Ireland, and the likes of ACORNS, Scale Ireland and many more, all backing small business. We have programs run by Dogpatch Labs and Furthr and AxisBIC and more, championing startups. What's the last piece of the puzzle? Modernized supports like NOAN, which amplify everything you gain from traditional in-person support structures with always-on strategic supports and the time-savings that come with fully custom, AI-driven strategy development and content creation. Supports that mould themselves to the particular contours of your business instantly, and are there 24/7 whenever you have a window of time to make progress. It's why we're glad to have a foothold in Ireland, and why we're proud to already be supporting a range of Irish SMEs as they grow and scale. Say hello, tell a friend, or try NOAN for free: https://getnoan.com https://lnkd.in/ehW5im5Q

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Irish Tech Update June 2024 MarketSizer Data-Driven Decisions®: SaaS start-up raises €1m in pre-seed funding from Delta Partners to enhance market trend data analysis. Lynq: AI-powered workspace for venture and private equity investors secures $2 million in pre-seed investment. Stripe: Co-founder John Collison suggests future employee share cash-outs amid IPO speculations. CleverCards: Digital payments company raises €8m, reaching a total of €28m in funding, continuing its global expansion. AccountsIQ: Cloud accounting platform secures €60m Series C funding to expand its AI offerings and double its workforce. Apple: Plans to acquire new office space in Dublin to house hundreds of additional staff, supporting further expansion. XOCEAN: Ocean data firm raises €30m in Series B funding to support hiring and growth, especially in domain-specific roles. North American Bancard: Announces the creation of 54 new jobs in Limerick, focusing on product development and risk management. Overcast HQ: GenAI-powered video asset management startup raises $1.2m to expand its team and enhance product development. VEI Global Ltd: Invests €2m to create 20 new engineering jobs over the next 18 months amid strong growth in the US and Europe. Monzo Bank: UK neobank announces plans for an Irish office following its first annual profit, marking a significant step in its EU expansion. Drop a comment if you have seen any other developments or market event s

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We have a new research project on the Global Fund Search platform. An Irish Wealth Manager is in the market for a value equity manager, to integrate into their Fund of Funds range. With an expected allocation exceeding €75m, the mandate focuses on developed markets, allowing some emerging market exposure. If you’re an asset manager interested in finding out more, you can register on the Global Fund Search platform for free. For investors who want to explore how we can streamline your manager selection process, and help you to do more, with less resource at zero cost , click the link in my bio and get in touch ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔔 Click on the bell on my profile to follow me here for more thoughts on how technology is changing asset management search and research. #rfp #equity #valueequity #wealthmanagement #assetmanagementresearch #vfm #valueformoney

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A Journey of Growth and Transformation Just 10 months ago, I started this journey on my own, armed with nothing but a vision and a relentless drive to make a difference in the world of tax technology. Today, I am honored to lead a team of over 50 dedicated professionals at RTC each one contributing their unique skills and passion to our shared mission. Our recent milestone—securing significant early-stage investment and relocating RTC's global headquarters to Ireland—marks a new chapter in our story. Ireland, a renowned tech hub in Europe, provides the perfect ecosystem for us to innovate and enhance our RTC Suite. This seamless and scalable cloud platform delivers cutting-edge real-time tax compliance solutions, including e-Invoicing and e-Reporting, to clients worldwide. This journey has been nothing short of incredible, filled with challenges and triumphs. It's a testament to the power of determination, teamwork, and vision. As we set our sights on this exciting new phase, I am reminded of the words of Henry Ford: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." Join us as we continue to transform global tax compliance and break new ground in innovation and service excellence. Together, we are not just building a company but a legacy of excellence and integrity. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. #Innovation #Growth #TaxTechnology #RTC #Ireland #NewBeginnings #eInvoice #eReporting

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Emerging Market Equity - new mandate! We have a new mandate on the Global Fund Search platform from an Irish investor looking to allocate €50m to an Emerging Market Equity fund. For EME managers wanting to find out more, register for free on the platform: https://lnkd.in/eWcMyXR3 For allocators wanting to understand how we have helped this investor to do more, with less resource, at zero cost - get in touch: https://bit.ly/krisatgfs #emergingmarketequity #rfp #investments #mandates

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As investment flows continue to drive growth in tech and innovation, startups in Ireland 🇮🇪 and the UK are seizing the opportunity to scale, innovate, and disrupt. From AI-driven diagnostic solutions to platforms reimagining corporate interactions and offshore energy innovations, the startup ecosystem is humming with fresh funding and new milestones. Here are some standout deals this month that signal the ongoing strength and potential of startup and scale-up ventures. Needi Investment: £1.4 million Investors: Clarendon Fund Managers, Techstart Ventures LLP Ventures, several angels What they do: needi is a Manchester-based startup redefining corporate gifting by connecting businesses to unique, sustainable products from local suppliers. Founders: Louise Doyle and Steph Scholes Ooodles Investment: €2.5m Investors: āltitude, UK family office Traditum Private Investment Office What they do: Ooodles offers tech leasing solutions to SMEs, allowing them to access the latest tech equipment without significant upfront costs. This latest round is to help expand flexible tech leasing for Irish SMEs Founders: Leonardo Poggiali and Kannan Reghu Gazelle Wind Power Limited Investment: €11.4 million Investors: Indico Capital Partners, DST Global, August One, Wah Kwong, and E2IN2, among others. What they do: Irish based Gazelle Wind Power is developing next-generation floating offshore wind platform technology. Founder: Jon Salazar iFAST Diagnostics Investment: £5 million Investors: KHP Ventures, QantX, UKI2S (managed by Future Planet Capital), Kadmos Capital Ltd, EInk, Raw Ventures, OKG Capital, and angels What they do: iFast Diagnostics has developed technology to determine the most effective antibiotics for different bacteria. Founders: Toby King, Hywel Morgan and @Daniel Spencer RESEARCH GRID Investment: £5 million Investors: Fuel Ventures 🚀, Arve Capital, Ada Ventures, Morgan Stanley Inclusive Venture Lab, Arāya Ventures, Ascension, Plug and Play Ventures, and Atomico What they do: Research Grid is an AI/health tech company focused on improving research processes. Founder: Dr Amber Michelle Hill Paloma Health Investment: €2.3 million Investors: TriplePoint Capital and James Allgrove Company: Paloma Health aims to reduce the long waiting times for children's autism assessments by utilising technology and artificial intelligence to cut the diagnosis time from over two years to just four weeks. Founder: Guillaume ("G") Cohen-Skalli

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A big thank you to Scale Ireland for highlighting changes announced in the budget for tech companies and scale up companies! Increase the amount reimbursed in year one under the R&D Tax Credit scheme from €50k to €75k; Increase in the relief available under the Start-up Relief for Entrepreneurs from €700k to €980k; Doubling in the investment limits under the Employment Investment Incentive scheme (EIIS) from €500k to €1m; Increase in the lifetime limit on gains liable for reduced Capital Gains Tax (for Angel Investors in innovative start-ups and SMEs) from €3m to €10m (Note: new 16% for individuals or 18% through Partnerships announced in Budget 2024);  New relief for expenses incurred in connection with a first listing on an Irish or European stock exchange, subject to a cap of €1 million; Subject to state aid rules, introduce Stamp Duty exemption for Irish SMEs to access equity via financial trading platforms designed to support their funding needs; Enhancement of the section 486C small company start-up corporation tax relief; Commitment to consider the recommendations of the report on share ownership schemes and the review of R&D tax credit next year. You can read the full statement regarding the 2025 budget via this link https://lnkd.in/eZMMqtZn  

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HEAnet will be hosting the Dublin Local Hub for the RIPE NCC Green Hackathon in December! ***** You can join the Hackathon here: https://lnkd.in/gFZeD_gb We'll explore innovative solutions for reducing the environmental impact of digital technologies, not only with a focus on Internet infrastructure but also on ideas of regenerative society and climate justice - and everything in between. We are looking for enthusiastic and critical thinkers in Green Tech. If you are a hacker, software developer, climate expert, network engineer, student, researcher, data scientist, designer, economist, sys-admin, philosopher, gardener, academic, or poet, who wants to create a sustainable future, then this event is for you! The https://lnkd.in/g_i97jxS takes place on 10-11 December 2024 in the following locations (based on geographical distance): Online (more than half of the participants!) Dublin Local Hub - hosted by HEAnet - 93/94 North Wall Quay, Dublin D01 V8Y6, Ireland In person in Amsterdam and other Local Hubs (Greece, Slovenia, UK, Serbia) Register here (please mention if joining a Local Hub): https://lnkd.in/g_i97jxS RIPE NCC hackathons are non-commercial and non-competitive. We focus on cooperation and openness - all the code produced is FLOSS, and all the results are published on public software repositories, wikis, and on blogs to help others further create, experiment, and develop ideas and tools.

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Update on Projects: Some new apps & to the Irish Market Bigger, better, and always growth-oriented! Website Development: Two new media websites are being built – one for a client on LinkedIn and one for a press release company. Beconparenting.ie: A custom co-parenting web application is nearing completion and it sounds & looks like it will be a valuable resource for people in Ireland. I am super happy with work done on this its user friendly, they got it spot on from the get go and built the whole thing in just a few short weeks, this genuienly could be huge, and will be massive for parents and family across ireland other similar things are out their like this, but they aren't we later found out. Leesidetuning.com: Leeside Tuning is seeing significant growth with 10,000 users last month alone and consistent positive feedback from both customers and the business itself. This has opened up a whole new revenue pipeline. ROI (Return On Investment) here is still ---... Cobhramblers.ie: Thrilled about the Cobh Ramblers takeover! Their website is doing well, but the potential here is huge – both digitally and for the club itself. Hoping for continued growth and seeing their unlocked potential shine through. The work done so far is phenomenal. Zaiqacork.com: Another big website we had to launch and turn around fast, for an existing client's new retail business he took over. This (2500 < 3500) product website, zaiqacork.com, is Cork's biggest ethnic foods store. We turned this 10/12 week project into a 4/6 week project. It's an ongoing development – not fully ready yet, but it's functioning and practically paying for itself already, which is always my first priority with any project. Thefurniturecentre.ie: The new website we launched a few weeks ago is also flying! In its first week, it did its largest sale volume with no advertising – just all our existing SEO efforts showing. The site is demonstrably a lot better, faster, and user-friendly. While I feel this website is at a stage where it might need more than just one SEO expert (the SEO is very good, as I've done it myself from scratch over many years), user engagement is above 90%, which is unbelievable! So, we can safely say it's performing well for now. Their are a few others in the pipeline, I really need to think of a way to show the impact some of these developments have and I'm yet to find someone who really can show and emphasize it visually. 2025 Goal FOR my own App 🔥😊 RYT Media

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Together with Dr Jussi Westergren, Emmy Network Fellow in Computer Science at Keble College, Oxford, I’ve written for Sifted on the importance of the budget tomorrow for the future of UK tech. It’s absolutely vital that the Government invests in developing the country’s next-generation compute capacity - or ‘supercomputers.’ Next-generation compute is set to drive breakthroughs in everything from drug discovery to financial modelling via supply chain and how we understand language in the near future. And will also create value for businesses and enable startups to accelerate their development exponentially. If the government does not adequately support home-grown supercomputing, the UK risks losing its status as a leading tech hub as its startups struggle to compete with rivals in Europe and the US. But by delivering funding and fostering a conducive wider investment environment, Britain could thrive in the supercomputing era. The depth of tech, research and business talent in this country is second to none, and the appetite from start-ups, corporations and researchers is there. A great deal of work has already been undertaken in Edinburgh in preparation for this investment. Additional schemes can be balanced around the country, and indeed there are a number of sites which would be suitable to host a supercomputer system. Bletchley Park is such a site: with obvious historical symbolism, geographic advantages and the recent host of the global AI safety summit. Alan Turing brought enormous benefits to humankind, and it would be a fitting tribute to him. Turing Machines still influence current computer science and the Turing Test is more relevant than ever. Close to Oxford, Cambridge and London - home to many of the finest brains in the world - the Bletchley Park SuperCompute is a project that must happen. Full piece here:

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Survival of the Fittest in a Shifting Funding Landscape Founders are adopting a low-key approach, focusing their energy on internal growth. Armed with capital secured in 2021, many are strategically revitalising their businesses. But the big question remains: What will the dealmaking landscape look like in 2024? "Overall, capital infusion will be concentrated on a narrower spectrum of companies than in all. The private capital raising landscape is anticipated to be robust, showcasing significant improvement from 2022. However, the capital infusion will be concentrated on a narrower spectrum of companies compared to the prolific scene of 2021." Read More: https://lnkd.in/d3536qvA In the meantime, share your thoughts! Are you a founder facing a funding crunch? How are you adapting your strategy? #StartupFunding #Founders #Growth #DealMaking #SibaPanda

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Want the big insights on Irish fundraising success stories from 2024? ☘️👇  Comment "☘️” below for your recording of our webinar on this topic    And get a free demo on the tools behind the big success stories using this link:  https://lnkd.in/egKcYSMa    Here's a quick reminder of the key topics we covered last week:    🏊‍♀️ Swim in Pink: €22K → €200K in 3 years  800% growth down to 2 factors; people and tech.  Interactive locations map and local champions combined for viral growth.  Bright, bold PINK marketing, clear personas and iDonate form drove sign ups. 🎯 LauraLynn's €435K+ Success with Skipping Huge amount due to spotting potential after just 7 days of recruitment.  Tracking trends year-on-year enabled team to scale quickly and confidently.  Tools like iDonate’s campaign dashboard can help with quick decision making. 🏃‍♂️ GOAL Mile - A Contactless Revolution No hardware, no complicated setup, no staff confusion – just “Tap to Donate”.  Tap to Donate delivered so well on objectives that it’s being adopted worldwide.  GOAL are now using iDonate Tap to Donate solution in the UK and the USA.   Reminder to just comment "☘️” and I’ll send you a recording by private message on LinkedIn.   P.S. If you’d like to talk more about the tools behind some of these success stories, then book a free demo on this link: https://lnkd.in/egKcYSMa 

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Useful explainer on getting started on Bluesky from Adrian Weckler below. The Sky Follower Bridge browser extension is particularly useful in finding your X (Twitter) followers on Bluesky.

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There’s a lot to love about the Seed phase 🌱 My passion for Seed phase technology investing springs from a profound appreciation for this particular phase of company building. There’s an undeniable allure to being part of a company’s early growth, where progress is swift, and the potential for impact is vast. What truly captivates me is the opportunity to engage with diverse ideas, innovations, and technologies. As an investor, I leverage my expertise to collaborate with different visionaries, having a larger circle of impact and contributing to meaningful change. Beyond the excitement of innovation and growth lies the human connection inherent in early-stage investing. Witnessing a founder’s triumphs and supporting them through challenges enriches the journey. Sharing in the highs and lows with passionate founders adds a profoundly gratifying dimension to the investment process, transforming it from a mere business endeavour into a deeply personal one. https://lnkd.in/gbaPX9_j

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