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mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
John Kennedy
@mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
490 followers 1.2K following 750 posts
Editor of www.thinkbusiness.ie at Bank of Ireland | Former Editor of www.siliconrepublic.com | Former Tech Editor at Business & Finance | Fascinated by all things entrepreneurial, inspirational and technological.
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mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
19 years ago, Oishii Sushi started as a passion project in a Greystones market. Today, it’s Ireland’s largest supplier of freshly prepared Japanese food to retail outlets nationwide.
#sushi #irish #food #retail #business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ois...
Oishii Sushi: The brand that beat the trend | ThinkBusiness
Oishii Sushi’s founder Ciara Troy shares how resilience and innovation turned a farmers market idea into Ireland’s leading sushi brand over 19 years.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 4, 2025 at 1:53 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Has Ireland defied the global VC slump?

A new PitchBook report reveals €491m raised across 89 VC deals in 2024, with Enterprise Ireland emerging as the world’s most active investor in the space

#Lifesciences #HealthTech #VentureCapital #Medtech

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...
Has Ireland defied the global VC slump? | ThinkBusiness
Ireland’s life sciences and health tech firms raised a record €491m in 2024 across 89 VC deals, driven by Enterprise Ireland and global investor interest.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 4, 2025 at 1:42 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Ireland’s Hidden Heartland Steps Onto the Global Stage 🌍

The Irish Embassy in London recently showcased the Upper Shannon Erne Region – Longford, Leitrim, Cavan, and Roscommon – as a prime destination for international #investment

#irish #business #regions

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/upp...
Ireland’s hidden heartland makes its pitch | ThinkBusiness
Irish Embassy in London highlights Upper Shannon Erne Region as a prime investment hub, showcasing Longford, Leitrim, Cavan and Roscommon opportunities.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 4, 2025 at 12:24 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Ireland’s auto-enrolment system goes live on 1 January 2026, bringing 800,000 people into retirement savings for the first time.

Is your business ready?

#AutoEnrolment #Pensions #FutureOfWork #IrelandBusiness #irish #business #SMEs

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/aut...
Auto-enrolment: Finding what suits you | ThinkBusiness
Discover how Ireland’s Auto Enrolment works, why private schemes matter, and how employers can choose the right pension solution before January 2026.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 4, 2025 at 11:16 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Boots Ireland unveils a major expansion at Blackrock’s Frascati Centre just in time for Christmas
#business #Retail #Beauty #Wellness #Pharmacy #IrishRetail
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/boo...
Boots Ireland expands Blackrock store | ThinkBusiness
Boots Ireland opens an expanded Frascati Centre store in Blackrock, featuring new beauty, wellness and fragrance brands plus enhanced pharmacy services.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Pure Telecom hits a major milestone for Irish SMEs

The SME hub now connects 1,000+ businesses across 3,000 locations in Ireland and the UK, delivering high-speed broadband through partnerships with 30 providers

#irish #business #telecoms #broadband

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/pur...
Pure Telecom Hub hits 1k SMEs milestone | ThinkBusiness
Pure Telecom’s SME hub now connects 1,000+ businesses across 3,000 locations with high-speed broadband, supporting growth through MSP partnerships.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 3, 2025 at 3:19 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚀 Big Dish is Back in Action 🌍

The National Space Centre in Cork has signed an MOU with South Korea’s Contec Space Group to restore the iconic 32-metre antenna at Elfordstown Earthstation

#space #innovation #irish #science

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/big...
Cork’s Big Dish set for a comeback | ThinkBusiness
National Space Centre partners with Contec to restore Cork’s iconic 32m Big Dish, reviving deep-space tracking and advanced communications at Elfordstown.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 3, 2025 at 12:05 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Marie O’Connor, COO at Sogeti, shares a powerful insight: “The better your prompt, the better the response. Prompt engineering is going to be a critical business skill.”
#ai #business #tech
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/mar...
Sogeti’s Marie O’Connor: How to win at AI | ThinkBusiness
Discover Marie O’Connor’s insights on AI adoption, governance, and prompt engineering to help businesses thrive in the age of generative AI.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the most secure of all?

UCD-born Mirror Security has raised $2.5m in pre-seed funding to scale its breakthrough encryption platform for AI security

#irish #tech #startups #infosec

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/mir...
Mirror Security raises $2.5m to secure AI | ThinkBusiness
Mirror Security raises $2.5m to scale its AI encryption platform and signs strategic partnership with G42’s Inception AI for global secure AI adoption.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 2, 2025 at 11:18 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
⚕️ Big news for healthcare in the Midlands -Charter Medical Group has announced a €50 million investment in its Mullingar hospital, creating 200 new jobs over the next two years and expanding critical services
#healthcare #hospitals #medical #irish #business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/har...
Charter Medical to invest €50m in Mullingar | ThinkBusiness
Charter Medical Group invests €50m in Mullingar hospital expansion, adding theatres, beds, and 300 jobs to boost healthcare access in the Midlands.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 2, 2025 at 10:48 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Irish workers using AI are seeing real gains – but adoption is still low - while 67% boast higher productivity, only 10% use generative AI daily
#AI #FutureOfWork #Ireland #Upskilling #WorkforceTrends #GenAI #Leadership #irish #business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/pwc...
AI adoption in Ireland lags despite benefits | ThinkBusiness
PwC’s 2025 survey shows Irish workers using AI report higher productivity and creativity, but daily adoption and upskilling remain low.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Thérapie Clinic is opening a brand-new €500,000 clinic in Blackrock on December 11, bringing affordable, high-quality aesthetic treatments to the community
#irish #aethetics #business #dublin #scalingbusiness
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/the...
Thérapie Clinic invests €500k in Blackrock | ThinkBusiness
Thérapie Clinic invests €500K in a new Blackrock clinic opening Dec 11, offering injectables, laser hair removal, and skincare to meet rising demand.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 1, 2025 at 3:58 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚀 Podcast: From art college critiques to VR innovation, Geoff Allen, CEO of Mersus Technologies, shares why resilience and creativity are the ultimate entrepreneurial superpowers.

#irish #tech #business #ai #vr #athlone

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/mer...
How VR firm Mersus keeps it real | ThinkBusiness
Podcast: Discover how Mersus Technologies uses VR and Avatar Academy to revolutionise industrial training, boost compliance, and tackle XR talent shortages.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 1, 2025 at 3:15 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
👁️ Eye on the prize! 👓

OcuHealth has been named the overall winner of UCD’s 2025 VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme for its breakthrough in ocular drug delivery

#irish #medtech #lifesciences #startup

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ocu...
OcuHealth wins UCD VentureLaunch award | ThinkBusiness
OcuHealth wins UCD’s 2025 VentureLaunch Award for its patented eye drop technology targeting dry eye disease with sustained drug delivery innovation.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
December 1, 2025 at 9:32 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Bringing NGOs into the AI age - Meta and Deloitte host Llama for Good Hackathon in Dublin to help Irish NGOs use AI for social impact, innovation and inclusive community solutions
#ai #NGOs #socialimpact #innovation #inclusion #dei
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/met...
Bringing NGOs into the AI age | ThinkBusiness
Meta and Deloitte host Llama for Good Hackathon in Dublin to help Irish NGOs use AI for social impact, innovation and inclusive community solutions.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 28, 2025 at 5:02 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Irish Start-ups Shine at Prep4Seed Investor Day in Dublin:
🏆 Ocras took home the Best Pitch Award
🌟 MCS-Tech was named One to Watch
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
👏 Read more:
#irish #startups #entrepreneurs #business @entirl.bsky.social
Start-ups impress at Prep4Seed showcase | TjomlBisomess
Irish start-ups pitch to angels and VCs at Prep4Seed Investor Day in Dublin. Ocras wins Best Pitch, MCS-Tech named One to Watch after 12-week programme.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🎮 Ireland’s gaming industry bouncing back – and StoryToys is leading the charge! 👾

Interview: Emmet O’Neill, CEO of StoryToys, shares why it is all to play for.

#irish #tech #digital #business #podcast #podcasts #podcastseries #businesspodcasts

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/int...
Emmet O’Neill: Game on for Irish content | ThinkBusiness
StoryToys CEO Emmet O’Neill on LEGO Bluey success, Ireland’s gaming ambitions, licensing strategy, and the future of interactive kids’ entertainment.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🏆 Edward McCloskey, founder of WaterWipes and owner of Boyne Valley Group, has been named Overall and International EY Entrepreneur of the Year
#irish #business #entrepreneurs #scalingbusiness #startups
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/mcc...
Edward McCloskey is Entrepreneur of the Year | ThinkBusiness
Edward McCloskey wins EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2025, alongside Áine Kennedy, Derek Foley Butler, David Corcoran and Denis O’Brien at major awards.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 28, 2025 at 9:27 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🔒 AI adoption is accelerating, but so are the risks 🛡️

Storm Technology’s latest survey reveals that 27% of IT leaders fear they won’t be able to detect deepfake attacks in the next 12 months.

#AI #CyberSecurity #ShadowAI #DataGovernance #Risk #infosec

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ai-...
AI security risks as deepfake threats loom | ThinkBusiness
Survey reveals 27% of Irish IT leaders fear deepfake attacks, with shadow AI and data governance gaps posing major risks for secure AI adoption in Ireland and UK.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 28, 2025 at 9:21 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚀 StormHarvester tops Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Fast 50 with 2,910% growth
#DeloitteFast50 #IrishTech #AI #StormHarvester #Innovation #irish #tech #business #scalingbusiness
Read more: www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/sto...
StormHarvester tops Deloitte Fast 50 | ThinkBusiness
StormHarvester tops Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Fast 50 with 2,910% growth as AI-driven firms dominate Ireland’s tech sector. Protex AI wins Rising Star Award.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 28, 2025 at 8:42 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🌱 Green Friday: Backing Sustainable Irish Brands 🌱

Never mind the Black Friday frenzy – this is the year to shop smarter and greener, as Barry Walsh discovers.

#GreenFriday #ShopLocal #Sustainability #Irish #Business

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/gre...
Green Friday: Sustainable Irish brands | ThinkBusiness
Discover eco-friendly Green Friday deals from Irish brands. Shop local, support sustainability, and enjoy discounts on fashion, skincare, food, and more.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 27, 2025 at 4:44 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚀 Ireland: A Rising Star in Space Tech Innovation 🌍
Ireland is proving that big ideas can thrive on a small island. ✨
#irish #space #spacetech #aerospace #tech #business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ire...
Ireland: A rising star in space tech | ThinkBusiness
Discover how Ireland is emerging as a global hub for space tech innovation, driving breakthroughs in AI, satellites, and aerospace manufacturing.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 27, 2025 at 9:59 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚀 Ireland’s space sector hits new heights! 🛰️

Irish companies secured a record €24 million in ESA contracts in 2024 — more than double last year’s figure

#irish #space #business #irish #innovation @entirl.bsky.social

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
Irish space firms win record €24m in ESA contracts - Think Business
As Ireland marks 50 years working with the European Space Agency, Irish businesses are reaching for the stars. Ireland’s space sector has reached a new milestone, with domestic companies securing €24 ...
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 26, 2025 at 9:52 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Applegreen powers ahead with €300m investment as part of its €1bn global expansion plan - Roadside hospitality firm is scaling EV charging, redeveloping major US travel plazas, and introducing new food concepts
#irish #business #retail #scalingbusiness
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/app...
Applegreen accelerates €1bn expansion | ThinkBusiness
Applegreen invests €300m in 2025 as part of a €1bn global expansion, boosting EV charging, food partnerships, and major upgrades in Ireland, UK, and US.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 26, 2025 at 9:45 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
New #podcast: How can businesses truly triumph in the AI age? Marie O’Connor, COO at Sogeti, shares a powerful insight:
“The better your prompt, the better the response. Prompt engineering is going to be a critical business skill.”
#AI #DigitalTransformation
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/mar...
Sogeti’s Marie O’Connor: How to win at AI | ThinkBusiness
Discover Marie O’Connor’s insights on AI adoption, governance, and prompt engineering to help businesses thrive in the age of generative AI.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM