More than 180 entrepreneurs and business leaders are gathering in Dublin this week at the Global Ambition Networking Event hosted by Endeavor Ireland in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.
Endeavor is a global non-profit organisation with a mission to support and accelerate high-impact entrepreneurs, for the benefit of their local economies.
The event coincides with the fifth anniversary of Endeavor launching in Ireland in 2019.
The Endeavor Ireland now actively works with 14 founders across 10 Irish companies – Cubic Telecom, Strong Roots, LearnUpon, Wayflyer, Gym+Coffee, XOCEAN, Keelvar, Therapie Group, Sculpted by Aimee and Overhaul.
This week’s event is Endeavor’s 100th International Selection Panel, and the first time it has been held Ireland.
The Edge, from U2, was the founding Chair of the Endeavor Ireland Board and first became involved in bringing Endeavor here because he said he saw the benefits that this organisation could bring to founders, to support them to reach their fullest potential.
He said said, with experience and expertise from around the globe, Endeavour allows Irish companies to grow and develop to a global scale from Ireland.
Managing Director of Endeavor Ireland, Rory Guinan, said that scaling business on a global level is challenging and the more support and advice founders have, the better their chance of succeeding.
“Our mission is centred on giving back, providing advice and mentoring from a global network, and this enhances the strong existing support services provided to entrepreneurs on the island,” he added.
Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, said that Endeavor is making a significant contribution to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ireland since starting here five years ago.
“We know that founders at all stages in their journey benefit hugely from the peer-to-peer support and the acceleration of company ambition for long term growth,” he added.
Dara Calleary, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said that to scale globally, founders require not only ambition but also strong support.
“Since its establishment in Ireland five years ago, Endeavor Ireland has been making a valuable contribution to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ireland, providing mentorship and networking opportunities through its far-reaching global network,” Mr Calleary said.
Founded in 1997 by Linda Rottenberg and Peter Kellner, Endeavor has helped more than 2,600 entrepreneurs to build more than 1,600 companies in 43 markets throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, which generated combined revenues of $67 billion in 2023.