What is the outlook for investment in Irish companies in a climate of global economic uncertainty and the on-going geo-political crisis in Eastern Europe? This panel provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to hear from the investment community on the impact of external forces on their chances of gaining access to capital. Topics will include:

• Raising growth capital from international and domestic investors
• What are international investors looking for and how can we boost access to capital for Irish companies?
• How are traditional lenders investing? 
• What type of companies and sectors are attracting investment?

The panel will outline the funding options and initiatives available to fund your growth strategy, including crowd funding, angel investors, private equity, venture capital, debt finance, trade sale or a listing on the stock market. The panel will discuss:

• Finding the right investment partner
• Determining your capital need
• How to plan and prepare for capital raising
• What funding options and initiatives are available?
• Planning future growth pathways
• What fund-raising advice would you give a start-up founder?

From entrepreneurs with business propositions for a high potential start-up through to large companies expanding their activities, improving efficiency and growing international sales, this session will outline the funding and supports available for growing companies.

With equity markets checking their pace of deployment, debt is very much a consideration and in demand. A range of debt solutions are available to innovative, fast growing, Irish tech and life sciences companies and for every life stage of a business from venture to large public and private businesses.

The challenge of landing the capital to grow a company can be exhilarating. But as exciting as the money search may be, it is equally threatening. Built into the process are certain harsh realities that can seriously damage a business. Entrepreneurs cannot escape them but, by knowing what they are, can at least prepare for them. This panel will discuss getting your house in order, the selection of a funding partner, the importance of understanding the objectives of key stakeholders and how founders should leverage funds wisely to avoid setting unrealistic expectations. 

• What are the key issues that CEOs/Founders need to consider in order to successfully raise debt or equity capital in 2024?
• What are the barriers to scaling your company domestically? 
• What are the biggest challenges facing tech start-ups?

Securing a €26m investment from a European growth equity investment firm

The panel will discuss their experience in advising, bringing to market and investing in an IPO. It will look at choosing an IPO underwriter, conducting due diligence and submitting your regulatory filings to the IPO roadshow, going public on the stock exchange and beginning the transition to market competition.  It will demystify the process and discuss the differences between running a private versus a public company.

In this session you will hear from three entrepreneurs who get the opportunity to present their varying business ideas to a panel of three investors and pitch for a financial investment while offering a stake of the company in return. The entrepreneurs will have 5 minutes each and will be asked to introduce themselves, present their concept or product, state how much investment they need and the percentage of the business or equity they’ll give in return. The investors will provide feedback on each of the ideas which will be invaluable to all entrepreneurs and founders on how to navigate the process of pitching a start-up investment opportunity in order to gain investor interest.

Having raised funds for your business, through bootstrapping, angel investors, grants, debt finance, private equity or venture capitalists, you now have to face the challenges of growing your business. As well as dealing with sales, marketing, cash flow and financial management you also need to ensure you have the right talent to ensure success. 

Topics include:

• The impact of international tech recruitment slowdowns on global and local markets
• ESG – an increasingly important element of any fundraising decision
• Why integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives into your organisation’s overall strategy and culture is good for business. 
• Do new businesses set up by women meet old biases when raising funds? We hear from some investors who are trying to change that!