8:50
Welcome and opening remarks from the Chair
Do you need to raise money to bring your business to the next stage? Our agenda is packed with insights from leading investment firms, successful entrepreneurs and growth-support organisations, all in one room as they share how you can secure funding for an established business with ambitions to grow.
Kingsley Aikins
Founder and CEO, The Networking Institute
Turning your expansion plans into reality: The IPO route
9:00
Navigating the how, what, where and when of a successful IPO
Finance is the fuel for scaling your business. As a company owner, how do you get the quantum and source of funds right in order to ensure success? In this session Orla discusses the financing landscape, key questions for business owners to consider and outlines what it takes to deliver a successful IPO.
Orla O’Gorman
Head of Equity Listing Ireland, Euronext
9:20
PANEL DISCUSSION: Is being a publicly listed company the right growth route for your business?
We hear a range of perspectives – an exchange, a plc and an investor – on choosing the IPO route. Plus, what are the key motivations and challenges when tapping global growth markets?
Lotta Edling
Editorial Director, Bonnier News, Sweden
Marcus Stuttard
Head of UK Primary Markets and Head of AIM, London Stock Exchange
Joe Barrett
Chief Operations Officer, Applegreen PLC
Other sources of funding
9:55
Could debt financing be an option for your growing business?
Conor discusses the more traditional option of regular business lending which is making a comeback and why a number of Irish firms have gone down the debt-financing route.
Conor Sheahan
CEO, CKS Finance
10:05
Latest developments in the fundraising landscape
Owen Travers
MD, AIB Corporate Finance
10:15
Reaching the next level with private equity
Leo discusses the option of minority equity, which sits at the intersection of private equity and venture capital: What is it? Which companies typically receive backing? What are the risk characteristics?
Leo Casey
Head of Republic of Ireland, BGF – Business Growth Fund
10:25
Recent investments in growing Irish businesses
Mark discusses some recent investments and how private equity can help with international growth and succession dilemmas.
Mark Flood
Director, Renatus Capital Partners Ltd
10:35
Legal insights on private equity investments
Lorcan will speak on some of the legal issues that commonly come up in private equity investments; How good preparation is key and he will share some insights on how well private equity delivers on its promises to management post transaction
Lorcan Tiernan
Partner, Dillon Eustace
10:45
Q&A with speakers
11:00
Morning Break
Getting the right advice and keeping investors happy
11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION: Should you hire an advisor to help you raise capital?
Our panel of entrepreneurs have been through the fund-raising process and share their advice and insights on how to choose the right advisors for your fundraising initiative.
Derek Butler
CEO, GRID Finance
Mary O’Brien
Co- Founder, VideoDoc
Sandra Whelan
Chief Operations Officer, Immersive VR Education
Brendan O’Riordan
CEO, Zutec
12:10
Maintaining good relations with your company’s investors
It goes without saying that you should be proactive in building solid, harmonious investor relations. Eavan provides insights on how to create a two-way communication channel and maintain great relations with your company’s investors.
Eavan Gannon
Head of Dublin Investor Relations, Powerscourt
Insights from successful entrepreneurs
12:30
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: My funding journey: How I managed to raise the finance to grow my business
Pat has nearly 50 years’ experience in the hotel industry after starting his career with Ryan Hotels in 1969. After a tough start to his current business, launching at the start of the recession in 2007, Dalata has grown to become Ireland’s largest hotel group operating the Clayton and Maldron brands across Ireland and the UK. Pat shares his experience and insights from funding the growth of his businesses over the years.
Pat McCann
Chief Executive Officer, Dalata Hotel Group
12:50
PANEL DISCUSSION: How to raise capital? Ask an entrepreneur
Raising capital can be one of the most critical aspects of building a successful business — and often one of the most difficult. Our panel of entrepreneurs have been through it all. They share the difficulties they encountered during fundraising and how they overcame them.
Chaired by Enda O’Coineen
Chairman, Kilcullen Kapital Partners
John Flahavan
Managing Director, E. Flahavan & Sons Limited
Caroline Keeling
CEO and Managing Director, Keelings
Pat McCann
Chief Executive Officer, Dalata Hotel Group
1:25
Lunch
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS – 2.30pm – 4.00pm
Get in-depth information and advice on raising growth capital for your business. Each table has a specific theme and is hosted by an expert in the field. Sign up to the discussion you want when you arrive on the day and come prepared with your questions!
We’ll finish the day with a networking drinks reception.
Roundtable 1
Pitching to investors: How to secure that vital growth capital for your business
Leo Casey
Head of Republic of Ireland, BGF - Business Growth Fund
Roundtable 2
Raising private equity growth stage finance
Dr. John Ghent
CEO, Sytorus
Roundtable 3
Government funded initiatives to support ambitious high-growth businesses
Dr Fergal McAleavey
Senior Investment Director, Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF)
Roundtable 4
IPO groundwork: How to get ready for an IPO
Orla O’Gorman
Head of Equity Listing Ireland, Euronext
Roundtable 5
Equity Crowdfunding for growth stage investment: How does it work?
Drew O’Sullivan
Lead Equity Advisor, IntertradeIreland
Roundtable 6
Successful business architecture: What are the key pillars on which a successfully funded business will be built?
Claire Carroll
Senior Investment Advisor, Growth Capital, Enterprise Ireland