Anne Marie Conlon is Head of Economic Development with Donegal County Council. Anne Marie and her team lead out and deliver on a range of projects and initiatives prioritizing Green tech and the Green Economy as part of Donegal County Council’s key strategic objective of transitioning to a low carbon, climate resilient society.

Mr Walsh is Chief Executive and founder of Crescent Capital NI Limited and has been an active venture capital investor in Northern Ireland companies for over thirty years.

An International MBA by background, Colin spent six years with Top Technology, part of Hambros plc, between 1988 and 1994. Top Technology was a London based fund manager responsible for the management of the successful Hambro Advanced Technology Trust family of venture capital funds including HATT plc, HATT II LP and HATT II (1993) LP.

In 1995 Colin, sponsored by Hambros, established Hambro Northern Ireland Venture Managers Limited, now known as Crescent.  Between 2004 and 2009 Colin was Chairman of Trafficmaster plc, a company which he was instrumental in floating on the London Stock Exchange in 1994.

To date Crescent has raised four separate venture capital funds totalling £92m and has completed investments in over thirty-five companies based in Northern Ireland.

Colin was also instrumental in Andor Technology plc’s IPO on London’s Alternative Investment Market in 2004 and was Chairman until its sale for £176m in early 2014.  He is currently chairman of Acheson Holdings Limited and also holds directorships at NiSoft Limited, Fusion Antibodies plc, Replify Limited, Acheson Glover Holdings Limited, Lynns Country Foods Limited, Regen Waste Holdings Limited, Analytics Engines Limited and Right Revenue Limited.

Colin previously served a two year term as CBI Chair for Northern Ireland and also four years as trustee for NI on the UK board of Barnardos.  He currently serves as a member of the Committee for Ulster Garden Villages.

Denise has lived and worked in Europe, Asia, and the US, accruing multi-sector exposure, helping early-stage technology organisations to scale and grow. She has over 15 years’ experience of developing and creating innovative new businesses and products. Denise is Director of Innovation Scouting at Co-Cubed working with FSTE 100 clients to navigate startup ecosystems globally to identify the most promising and disruptive innovations within their industries, scouting for the most impactful companies relevant to their strategy or investment thesis. Denise has an in-depth knowledge of European early-stage investment and start-up ecosystems. Denise is also a mentor at Imperial Venture Mentoring Service, a Global Expert Member at Consilience Ventures, a Deal Leader at GoBeyond Investing and a board member of BITA.

Luis Alonso is a research scientist in the City Science group and Principal Investigator of the Andorra Living Lab Project. He has a PhD in architecture and coordinates the Andorra Living Lab project. He oversees the integration of the group’s diverse research topics (energy consumption, city simulation, urban mobility, innovation district, and smart housing) in the City Science Network of Collaborative Cities, to provide comprehensive solutions for urban and country challenges, in order to transform cities into more diverse and vibrant “human scale ecosystems.”

Since he is focused on very different lines of research and work, his antidisciplinary approach fits on the Media Lab philosophy: City Science, urban indicators, big data analysis, urban planning, architectural robotics, building design and construction, new and smart materials (free-form transparent energy efficient envelopes and biomedical uses), energy simulation and building efficiency and sustainability, eco-innovation, e-learning and its impact on social networks, new technologies, IoT, etc.

Garvan is CEO of Garvan O’Doherty Group (GODG) which operates in the hospitality and property sectors with business interests in Ireland and UK.  GODG is a material contributor to the economy in the North West of Ireland employing circa 250 people and contributing in the region of £10M annually to the local & national supply chain.  Garvan has circa 35 years’ experience as owner/operator of GODG. 

GODG hospitality trading interests include two hotels, public houses and a chain of five off licences. 

Future investment plans estimated at £40M including additional city centre 34-bedroom boutique hotel and refurbishment of St Columb’s Hall to create an 860-seater theatre, 100-seater cinema and 200-seater restaurant.  He is also championing the development of an £80M Maritime and Emigration Museum which he believes will form a fourth pillar of Tourism in North of Ireland, alongside Titanic, Giants causeway and Wild Atlantic way.

GODG has a substantial commercial rental portfolio, in Ireland and London, all of which are managed within the Group. 

Garvan served as Chairman of Londonderry Port and Harbour Commission for eight years and during his final term, the Port announced record profits and secured £80million renewable energy investment scheme. Garvan is Chairman of the Board of one of the most successful neighbourhood renewal companies in the UK – Creggan Enterprises Limited.  

Garvan joint chaired talks between the Residents Groups and Loyal Orders, including ABOD, Black Preceptory and Orange Order at different stages over the last 16 years that devised solutions to the contentious marching issue in Derry, now known as ‘The Derry Model’.

He was a member of U4D, the lobby group set up to establish a University in Derry City and for many years has played a role in matters pertaining to the social, political and economic regeneration of Derry and North West.

Garvan lives in Derry and has three daughters.

In his spare time, Garvan enjoys boating, ski-ing, football and current affairs. 

George Nounesis is the Director & Chairman of the Board of the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” since 2017. Dr. Nounesis studied Physics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He obtained his PhD at the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Minnesota. He completed a three-year Postdoctoral training at the Chemistry Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Executive Education Program on “Innovation for Economic Development” at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is currently the Director of the Biomolecular Physics Laboratory at Demokritos. Prior to returning to Greece he held Research Staff appointments at the Center for Materials Science and Engineering at MIT and at the Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory. He has spent sabbatical leaves at the Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal at CNRS and the Chemistry Department of the University of Bordeaux I as an Invited Professor. His research is mainly focused on structural and thermodynamic studies of nano-structured soft materials as well as biomolecules, primarily proteins. For his work he has received awards and distinctions from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, the Empirikion Foundation, the United States Department of the Navy and the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota. He serves as an Expert Reviewer of several National and International Research Funding Organizations in the European Commission, the USA (NSF), Poland, Turkey, Belgium and Greece.

Giancarlo Di Vece is the CEO of Unosquare, a growing 800 person global software consultancy that operates in 8 countries and 3 continents. During his time as CEO, Giancarlo has exponentially transformed the organization to scale – doubling in size in the last two years. With a fierce purpose of democratizing opportunity across the globe, Giancarlo and his leadership team work endlessly not only to find and attract the best talent anywhere in the world, but also guiding and facilitating the careers of those who decide to become part of Unosquare.

By caring about the community, its people, and the future of inclusive business, Unosquare has achieved the rarified status of being on the Inc 5000 Fastest growing companies 7 years in a row – a feat achieved by the likes of companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, and Patagonia to name a few. In addition to this, Unosquare has received awards in multiple countries for Innovation, Life-Work Balance, and Employee Satisfaction.

Giancarlo’s enthusiasm and contributions have been sought out as inspiration for others, he is often invited to write for Entrepreneur, Forbes, CIO.com as well as to speak at different events that influence the industry.

James Brown is the London born, Franco-American, Managing Director for Ireland & the UK of Hexicon AB, a publicly listed Swedish technology & floating offshore wind developer. James has been supporting Hexicon since 2015. James also sits on Hexicon’s management board and supports Hexicon’s North America team.

James spent the last 15 years in renewable energy, including the conversion of a 3GW coal power station to biomass, developing subsidy free utility scale onshore solar & wind, and smart gird ventures. James is also active in impact initiatives including the Conduit Impact Fund (advisory board member), and the TT Environmental Solutions Fund (advisory board member).

James has a BA in Marine Affairs from the University of Miami, and a MSC in Sea Use & Marine Policy from the London School of Economy. James spent his formative years developing educational programs for marine aquariums and as an offshore sailboat skipper. He also spent five years in Asia developed ports, including establishing the first majority foreign owned port in China. Upon his return to Europe in 1999, James was a founding team member of a dedicated supply chain venture capital fund for TPG/TNT, before focusing on renewable energy, technology and infrastructure.

John spent his early career coding for a healthcare tech company in Pittsburgh before a 15 year stint in media. A journalist and editor at the North Belfast News, John also ran Ireland’s most successful independent food website, Forked.
In 2013 John launched a wifi software technology startup, which was used in restaurants, cafés, hotels, stadia and vehicles around the world.
John joined Entrepreneurial Spark in 2015 to help support ambitious startups throughout Ireland. The social enterprise was bought over by NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank in 2018. Since joining the team John has worked to support 7000+ startups across the country. Those businesses have raised £35m+ in investment and created more than 1000 jobs.
Since 2019, John sits as a member of Ulster Bank’s Regional Board and leads on climate and the drive to support a more diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northern Ireland.

John G. McLaughlin grew up in Redcastle, Co. Donegal and was educated at Carndonagh Community School and the Regional Technical College in Letterkenny. He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from University College Galway in 1986. He spent a short time working for University College Galway and Westmeath County Council before taking up an appointment in California, USA where he spent 13 years working in engineering and construction. He joined Donegal County Council in 1999 where he worked in the National Roads Office in Donegal Town at Executive Engineer and Senior Executive Engineer level. In 2001, he was appointed Director of Roads and Transportation and held that role until July 2020, when he took up the position of Chief Executive of Donegal County Council. 

Cllr Liam Blaney has been a member of Donegal County Council since 2003 and has been successfully re-elected at each subsequent local election. A prominent member of the farming community, he represents the Letterkenny/Milford Municipal District and as such has a considerable insight into the needs and challenges facing the people who live in these communities.

He was elected vice-chair of Donegal County Council in 2005. He serves on several Council committees including the Agriculture and Fisheries committees and has over the years represented his fellow members on the Association of Irish and Local Government and the Local Authority Members Representative Association.
He has also represented Donegal County Council on the North West Region Cross Border Committee.
In June 2022, he was unanimously elected as the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.

Marga Hoek is a member of Thinkers50, she is that rare combination: a true visionary on sustainable business and capital and a successful, innovative business leader who understands and applies the commercial realities of business. Operating at the highest level with ministers and presidents, Marga is a global voice for G20, G7 Climat Change and if Cop 23; an award winning author and a regular contributor to The Huffington Post and other prestigious media.

She is a non executive director for various, international companies after a successful CEO, executive career as well an appreciated and sought after boardroom advisor. As the most appreciated speaker on sustainable business and capital and a multiple awarded author, she is considered one of the most influential thought leaders leading the way in the transition towards a sustainable world.

She is the unique in demonstrating in how today’s ICT’s and technological innovations can be a huge force for good and has a strong trackrecord in the financial sector.

Mary McKenna is a Donegal based serial technology entrepreneur and angel investor. She was one of the co-founders of successful Irish online learning company Learning Pool which is based in Derry in the North West of Ireland.

Paul is a member of the Optum Ireland Senior Leadership team and Letterkenny Site Director with accountability and responsibility for creating, planning, implementing, and integrating the strategic direction of the Letterkenny site. In addition to business operations accountability, Paul has accountability for the Corporate Affairs function which includes oversight for Corporate Social Responsibility and all External Relationships including 2nd and 3rd level programs. Leadership of the Ireland strategy and integration of new business into Ireland is also part of Paul’s portfolio.

Paul is a Culture Ambassador and is passionate about Our United Culture and sees this as a real competitive advantage for attracting and retaining talent in Ireland.

Prior to joining the company, Paul held various senior positions in the tech industry at Apple and Intel Corp. Paul has a hybrid of experience and expertise in Operations Management and in Corporate Affairs, Communications and Government Affairs.

Paul holds a degree in Business Administration and a Diploma in Public Relations.

Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh is President of NUI Galway. Trained as a Chartered Accountant, he has a PhD in Accounting and has published widely in the accounting field. He is a board member of the National Library of Ireland and a member of the Council of the Economic and Social Research Institute.

Elected to Council for the Ballyarnett Ward in 2014 and is the party Group Leader. Sandra is an ardent campaigner on social issues including ‘period poverty’ and made history in 2018 by ensuring Derry City and Strabane district Council became the first in Ireland to provide free period products in as many sporting grounds and public buildings as possible to combat this ever-growing issue.

Sandra is passionate about tackling homelessness and has been involved in this sector for over 20 years, she now leads and has developed outreach services addressing homelessness among young people and those with complex needs that require an intense service to meet their needs, including issues around addiction and mental health.

Within council, Sandra has taken a lead role in establishing the North West City region as a good place to live, work and socialise, she has chaired the North West Regional development group, which drives economic cooperation within the region and has led a shop local campaign. She has also taken on the chair of the PCSP and has a history of campaigning on road safety issues.

With a strong working relationships within the statutory, community and voluntary sectors. Sandra has been a board member of Advice North West for over ten years and works with the western trust in relation to wider health and social services for the City and District.

She is heavily involved in St. Joseph’s Amateur Boxing Club, sits on Greater Shantallow Area Partnership Board, the Culmore Community Partnership and has a keen interest in all community groups and infrastructure in the local area.

Sean Flood is an experienced entrepreneur with a passion for companies in the mobility, sustainability, advertising and health & wellness space.

For 12 years prior to overseeing the sale of the company to Last Mile Holdings (MILE on TSX), Sean was Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Gotcha Mobility (ridegotcha.com), an e-mobility company dedicated to providing innovative shared mobility products and technologies that get people out of single-occupancy cars and safely onto accessible, sustainable electric mobility products. The company operates e-bikes, e-scooters, and etrikes as transportation solutions tailored to cities and universities across the US. Gotcha was recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing companies in 2018 and 2019 on the Inc. 5000 list and was a finalist on Fast Company’s 2019 World Changing Ideas Awards in the Health and Wellness category for providing students with sustainable micro-transit products that encourage healthy lifestyles. In 2019, Sean received Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 award for his entrepreneurship in launching Gotcha and community involvement. Sean was also CEO of Rivet Campus Media (rivetcampusmedia.com) (Owned by Private Equity firm MSouth), the largest on campus collegiate advertising platform. He oversaw growth of 125% in two years and partnerships with 148 universities around the country. Currently, Sean is a Founding Partner at EFO Ventures, an early stage investment firm focused on investing in founders in the mobility, cleantech & health and wellness sectors. Sean is a graduate of Florida State University’s Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship with an additional degree in Marketing.

Sian Farrell is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of StimOxyGen, a spin-out company that has developed a game-changing technology to vastly improve the quality of life and outcomes for cancer patients across the globe.

Sian initially studied pharmacy at Ulster University and received several awards as an undergraduate including, The Randox Award for Biomolecular Immunology and Therapeutics, The Sir Allen McClay Award for Best Final Year Science Project, and The Royal Pharmaceutical Award for the Best Student on the MPharm Degree programme. Upon graduating from Ulster University in 2015, Sian moved to Bristol (United Kingdom) to complete her pre-registration training in the Bristol Royal Infirmary. During her time there Sian gained extensive clinical experience in several specialist fields, including oncology, and was awarded Regional Pre-Registration Winner for the South West of England for her clinical research and presentation skills. After gaining further experience as a hospital pharmacist at Bristol Royal Infirmary, Sian decided to follow her passion and embarked on a PhD Programme at Ulster University in 2017 which focused on the development of nanoparticle formulations for enhanced sonodynamic therapy against pancreatic cancer.   

In the final stages of her PhD, Sian began investigating the commercial value of StimOxyGen technology and established a spin-out company along with Professor Anthony McHale, Professor John Callan, and Dr Leslie Russell in 2021. Sian led the StimOxyGen team to success at the INVENT 2021 awards, hosted by Catalyst NI, where she won all three categories including Health and Wellbeing, One-Minute Elevator Pitch and Winner of Overall Competition, taking home a total cash prize of £26,000. Sian’s efforts have been recognised at a local level where she has been included in the Belfast Telegraph’s 30 under 30 of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland 2022 and also internationally due to being selected as an awardee for the MIT Technology Review’s Under 35 Europe 2022 listing.

With experience in both clinical and academic research settings, Sian has developed a passion for technology transfer from bench to bedside and is determined to improve the lives of cancer patients on a global scale.

Steve Orr is Chief Executive Officer of Catalyst and serves on the Board of Directors. He also serves as an advisor to NI’s Department for Economy Minister on the Economic Advisory Group and represents Catalyst as a co-creator and partner on Innovation City Belfast.

Before being named CEO in November 2018, Steve was Director and Co-founder of Connect, Catalyst’s not-for-profit network of experienced entrepreneurs, business professionals and top research talent dedicated to the creation and scaling of innovation companies in Northern Ireland. Connect helped over 900 local entrepreneurs to aim higher and succeed faster each year. Prior to Connect, Steve co-founded Kineticom, Inc a San Diego, California based technical talent firm in 2000. In 2006 Kineticom was ranked #33 on the Inc 500, the list of the fastest growing privately held companies in the US. Previous to Kineticom, Steve worked in Buckinghamshire, UK and San Diego and San Francisco, California for S.Com Ltd and S.Com Inc. Steve earned a BSc in Business Information Technology from University of Northumbria.

Ted Hu has been with MIT Technology Review for four years and oversees and works with all the international partners and editions of the magazine. During this time, he has also helped facilitate the international editions of Innovators Under 35 and helped organise the events while also being a presenter and moderator for several conferences. Innovators Under 35 is one of his favourite communities of Technology Review and he is delighted to be a part of this event as the bridge between the regional competitions.