"The Best Entrepreneurship Event in the World"

25 March, 2013

24 Emerging Entrepreneurs, 24 Seasoned Entrepreneurs, cast off in Kinsale after 24 hours of working together to bring significant growth and opportunity to their businesses. This unique experience brings entrepreneurs from all areas to engage with a host of business icons in a very honest, relaxed and open setting while ensuring deep analysis and a clearer focus for the future.

Addressing the group on the second day, Pádraig Ó Céidigh, founder of Aer Arann, spoke about how Entrepreneurs were like salmon swimming upstream on their own against the current but that events like the Entrepreneur Experience® ensured they were not alone and now there was a whole load of salmon swimming upstream together!

Pádraig also commented that "The Entrepreneur Experience® is the best entrepreneurship event in the world bar none!"

Also speaking on the second day of the event was Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD who shared some very honest and encouraging experiences of entrepreneurship and said “by working together we can help build a vibrant and growing economy in Ireland once again.”

Some comments from some of the participating Entrepreneurs included:

"Arrive open to change and change is virtually guaranteed" - Julian Costley, Heaton Camillo
"The Entrepreneur Experience® is a super story of energy and optimisim - the future is bright!" - Peaches Kemp, itsa...bagel
"Adds highly flammable fuel to your fire" - Eoin Ferris, Sitecert
"Came in blind, going home straight!" - Arun Kapil, Green Saffron
"I arrived on Friday a bit rudderless after a rough week but left with clear direction and short term objectives which will help me achieve my goals." - Tim O'Riordan, Total Project Solutions
“It was a steep learning curve for me but I came away from the event energised and a clearer focus on the road ahead!” – Ger Lynch, Beara Seafood

Arun Kapil, Green Saffron; Michael Dwyer, Pigsback.com; Michael O'Connor, AxisBIC and Dr Johnny Walker, Health Founders

Participating this year were Pádraig Ó Céidigh, founder of Aer Arann; Jim Barry, The Barry Group; Johnny Walker, Health Founders; Sean O’Sullivan, Avego & SOSventures Peaches Kemp, itsa bagel; Michael Dwyer, Pigsback.com; and many other outstanding Seasoned Entrepreneurs. The Emerging Entrepreneurs included Mick O’Driscoll, Home Instead Senior Care Cork, formerly of Munster and Ireland rugby; Arun Kapil, Green Saffron; Randall Wharton, Rigbag; Mike Kane Curious Wines, David Hickey, golfmiles.com and 19 other emerging companies.

The Entrepreneur Experience® is a unique opportunity for Emerging Entrepreneurs to gain unparalleled access, advice and mentoring from some of Ireland's most successful business leaders. The 2013 Entrepreneur Experience® took place from Friday 22nd to Saturday 23rd of March in the Trident Hotel, Kinsale, Co. Cork.

AxisBIC partnered with Cork City Council, Cork County Council, Ernst & Young and the Irish Examiner.