7:30

Registration, Networking and Exhibition Viewing

8:45

Welcome Remarks

8:50

Welcome and opening remarks from the Chair

8:55

PANEL DISCUSSION: 

Market outlook: the state of play for investment in Irish companies 

This panel will discuss the range of financing options available to Irish companies, the types of companies suited to each option and how recent market conditions, with a major fall-off in valuations particularly in technology and bio-tech as well as the prospect of rising rates, are impacting the funding landscape.

• What sectors are attracting transformational investments?
• How do we ensure that there is a dynamic and wide range of funding options available to Irish businesses to support their growth plans?
• What were the key deals so far this year?

9:25

Firepower: Raising capital in the current market – key considerations

This discussion will focus on whether ambitious Irish companies can still raise growth capital (from domestic and international investors) for organic expansion and/or M&A, given current market conditions. It will address topical questions such as how to get a deal done effectively in the current market and what are the key issues that CEOs/Founders need to consider in order to successfully raise debt or equity capital in 2023.

9:45

Raising equity capital from international investors

This session will explain how Normax Biomed is “Bridging ‘the Valley of Death’ with a faster and safer crossing by securing €300 million in funding ahead of a planned IPO.

10:00

PANEL DISCUSSION: 

The process of taking a company public

The panel will discuss their experience in advising, bringing to market and investing in an IPO. It will demystify the process and discuss the differences between running a private versus a public company. It will discuss the panellists’ experience with Euronext’s IPOready programme and the do’s and don’ts in any IPO process. It will also ask about the medium term outlook for IPO’s in Ireland

10:30

Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Viewing

11:00

PANEL DISCUSSION: 

Raising funding to achieve your growth – founders’ considerations

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 lessons were learnt along the way?

What fund-raising advice would you give a start-up founder?

11:30

Raising capital for next-generation molecular detection research

11:45

From start-up to sale

12:00

PANEL DISCUSSION: 

Accessing debt finance solutions for your company

This expert panel will discuss the breadth of non-equity solutions available to Irish companies. With equity markets checking their pace of deployment, debt is very much a consideration and in demand. They will outline the range of debt solutions that 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. Companies have access to debt tickets sizes ranging from €1m to €100m plus. You will hear how to assess the funding solutions that are available and how to negotiate a debt settlement arrangement.

12:30

Networking Lunch Break & Exhibition Viewing

1:30

PANEL DISCUSSION: 

Securing growth capital in a competitive landscape

• How does growth capital differ from other funding sources and how can entrepreneurs and company founders get access to it?
• What are the key factors that investors look at when evaluating opportunities?
• Why ESG is the key to raising capital in 2022 and beyond.
• Has performance started to diverge as the cost of debt rises and exits are more difficult?
• Should we be preparing for a period of increased uncertainty and volatility?

2:00

Accessing government funds

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.

2:15

Angel investing – a marriage with a planned divorce

John Phelan explains how the relationship between and investor and an entrepreneur is like a marriage with a planned divorce! He will outline why you should take on an angel investor, how the angel process works and what exactly angel investors are looking for in a company. What are the highlights of angel funding in 2022 to date and what trends are emerging?

2:30

IN CONVERSATION WITH ….. Gavin Fox, Director, Martinsen Mayer

The importance of recruitment when looking at funding and scaling

Ivan Yates talks to Gavin Fox about how important it is for founders to get their recruitment strategy right from the very start when they are designing their businesses. He will outline how to build a recruitment strategy, bring in trusted advisors, how to convince early employees to join and more.

2:45

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Meeting the challenges of growing your business 

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.

3:15

CLOSING REMARKS FROM CHAIR

3:20

SUMMIT ENDS