Podcasts

Latest Episode: Oblivious

In this episode, James Brennan, ISIF, and Jack Fitzsimons, Head Of Technology and Co-Founder, Oblivious AI, discuss how an increased focus on data privacy has created a unique challenge for organisations looking to leverage data analytics. Oblivious’ AI’s seeks to overcome this challenge through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning - allowing organisations to process data without direct access to the underlying sensitive information, reducing risk from cyberattacks while also creating new insight opportunities for data owners.

Through both direct and indirect investment, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) provides capital to some of the most innovative and forward-thinking projects in Ireland.

Head-quartered in Dublin, Oblivious AI allows organisations to collaborate on sensitive data while maintaining the strictest legal, moral and ethical safeguards through the use of its unique AI platform.

Episode 6: ISIF: Provizio - AI: The Future of Automotive Accident Prevention

In this episode, James Brennan, ISIF, and Barry Lunn, CEO of Provizio, discuss how AI can be used to perceive, predict and prevent car accidents in real time. With an estimated 94 per cent of crashes caused by human factors, Provizio seeks to look beyond traditional autonomous systems and use its unique AI platform to solve the enormous challenge around accident prevention.

Through both direct and indirect investment, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) provides capital to some of the most innovative and forward-thinking projects in Ireland.

Provizio develops accident prevention technology platform intended to reduce human error that causes the majority of road deaths. The company's platform combines vision sensors and machine learning to help drivers see through obstacles and to detect wider and further hazards in all-weather conditions, while also applying predictive analytics, enabling drivers to reduce and prevent accidents.

Episode 5: Payslip

In this episode, James Brennan, ISIF, and Fidelma McGuirk, CEO of Payslip, discuss how the increasing complexity of work and business requires a new payroll service that can operate on a global level. With an ever-increasing focus on internationally structured organisations and the impact of Covid-19, Payslip offers to service global payroll operations - all on a single platform. Through both direct and indirect investment, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) provides capital to some of the most innovative and forward-thinking projects in Ireland.

Payslip helps multinationals standardise their global payroll process, centrally manage their payroll with visibility and control, and scale into new countries. Traditional payroll service models are seen to no longer serve complex payroll issues, and amid the pandemic, global payroll delivery requires a digital platform that is secure, flexible, and scalable. Based in County Mayo, Payslip provides a cloud-based payroll platform to support global business at scale.

Episode 4: Irish Whiskey Growth Fund

In this episode, ISIF’s Joanne Butler and Fearghal Ó Ríordáin, Founder and Managing Partner of Ilen River Partners discuss how ‘The Irish Whiskey Growth Fund’ is supporting Irish whiskey through a unique financing structure allowing business owners to focus their efforts on producing quality whiskey and achieving scale.

The Irish Whiskey Growth Fund was established in 2018 by Ilen River Partners and is supported by ISIF. It is the first fund established exclusively to lend to independent whiskey distilleries and other businesses operating in the whiskey sector across Ireland.

During its heyday in the early 19th century, Ireland was viewed as the ‘whiskey capital’ of the world. However, the introduction of new taxes and the advancement of cheaper whiskey alternatives eventually forced the industry into decline and almost disappearance. A major distilling revival has gathered pace over the last decade and shows little sign of abating. Given the long-term nature of the whiskey production cycle, the industry now faces a unique challenge requiring financing solutions suited to a long-time horizon to achieve scale. With the right support and investment could Ireland once again become the ‘whiskey capital’ of the world?

Through both direct and indirect investment, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) provides capital to some of the most innovative and forward-thinking projects in Ireland.

Episode 3: SilverCloud Health - Digital Mental Healthcare at Scale

In this episode, James Brennan, ISIF Investment Director, and Ken Cahill, CEO and Co-Founder of SilverCloud Health discuss how SilverCloud’s use of digital mental health care delivery is paving the way to effective mental healthcare for all.

As the conversation around mental health and wellbeing continues to grow, an increasing area of focus is how best to deliver support to those in need. With digital transformation and digitisation disrupting more and more industries – can the digitisation of behavioural healthcare provide a possible solution to the mental health challenge.

Through both direct and indirect investment, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund provides capital to some of the most innovative and forward-thinking companies in Ireland, including SilverCloud Health. With headquarters in Dublin and abroad, SilverCloud provides accessible, scalable, digital behavioural healthcare. Working with healthcare providers such as the HSE, NHS and private providers, SilverCloud aims to address unmet mental health and wellbeing needs and help build capacity for organisations to better support people with their increasing health and wellbeing needs.

Episode 2: ApisProtect - Using IoT and AI to #SaveTheBees

As bee populations continue to decline and demand for food pollination seems set to grow exponentially, can the use of IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) help solve this global issue and ultimately #SaveTheBees?

Through both direct and indirect investment, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund provides capital to some of the most innovative and forward thinking companies in Ireland, including ApisProtect. Headquartered in Ireland, capitalising on innovative and award-winning academic research, ApisProtect uses cutting-edge science, engineering, and advanced business processes to bring honey bee-saving technology to every corner of the globe.

In this episode, Joanne Butler, ISIF Senior Investment Manager, and Dr Fiona Edwards Murphy, CEO and Co-Founder of ApisProtect discuss how ApisProtect’s use of IoT and AI is revolutionising commercial beekeeping and the importance of honeybees for the global food industry.

Episode 1: ISIF: The 'Golden Age' of Venture Capital

Ireland is set to play a leading role in this the 'golden age' of European and global venture capital. Through both direct and indirect investment, the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund provides capital to some of the most innovative and forward-thinking companies in Ireland and forms an integral part of the Irish venture ecosystem. Join Joanne Butler and James Brennan from ISIF as they discuss the venture capital landscape in Ireland and their upcoming interviews with ISIF investees who have benefitted from this 'golden age'.