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mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
John Kennedy
@mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
490 followers 1.2K following 710 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
🦹 Online scams aren’t just about hacking machines – they’re a hack of the human mind 🧠
🎧 Listen to the full converation with Prof. Mary Aiken and Bank of Ireland’s Nicola Sadlier on the Think Business Podcast
#infosec #fraud #irish #business #banking #podcast
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/fra...
Psychology of deception: How fraudsters win | ThinkBusiness
Discover how modern fraudsters exploit psychology and AI to deceive consumers online. Learn expert tips to protect yourself from scams this holiday season.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Skillnet Innovation Exchange hits €5m in SME deals and launches Digital for Sustainability
#Innovation #SMEs #DigitalTransformation #Sustainability #IrelandBusiness
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ski...
Skillnet Innovation Exchange hits €5m deals | ThinkBusiness
Skillnet Innovation Exchange drives €5m in SME deals, launches Digital for Sustainability, and expands regional hubs to boost Ireland’s innovation ecosystem.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 14, 2025 at 1:07 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Bank of Ireland approves €21m financing for Ashcroft Developments to deliver new homes in Louth and Kildare
#housing #property #banking #business #louth #kildare
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ban...
€21m housing schemes for Louth and Kildare | ThinkBusiness
Bank of Ireland approves €21m financing for Ashcroft Developments to build 143 homes in Louth and Kildare, supporting Ireland’s housing supply goals.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Ireland’s hospitality industry is demonstrating resilience despite a challenging start to 2025, according to executives speaking at Bank of Ireland’s ninth annual Hotel Sector Briefing
#irish #hotels #business #sustainability #ai
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
Irish hospitality sector shows resilience | ThinkBusiness
Ireland’s hospitality industry is demonstrating resilience despite a challenging start to 2025, according to executives speaking at Bank of Ireland’s ninth annual Hotel Sector Briefing. Gerardo Larios...
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🤖 Irish businesses are ramping up AI investment, but trust and adoption remain low.
PwC Ireland’s latest survey shows 70% of organisations plan to increase AI budgets, yet only 9% report broad adoption
#ai #digitaltransformation #irish #business #SMEs #agenticai
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
Irish firms eye AI agents for productivity | ThinkBusiness
PwC Ireland survey shows rising investment in AI agents, early productivity gains, and challenges in trust and adoption among Irish businesses.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 12, 2025 at 11:19 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Budding Irish angel investors take note: Boole Angel Investment Syndicate has surpassed €15m in startup investments and is inviting new members to join its growing network.
#irish #startups #funding #investment #angelinvesting
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/boo...
Cork’s Boole angels hit €15m milestone | ThinkBusiness
Boole Angel Investment Syndicate invests €15m in Irish start-ups and invites investors to Cork event on Nov 26 to explore angel investing opportunities.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🧸 #Cork entrepreneur Gemma Kingston builds trusted parenting platform from the ground up 🚸

After 15 years as a primary school teacher, Gemma Kingston launched The Family Edit to simplify family life with authentic, parent-recommended resources

#startups

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/the...
The Family Edit: Making family life easier | ThinkBusiness
Discover how Gemma Kingston built The Family Edit to simplify parenting with trusted, community-recommended classes, services and supports across Ireland.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 11, 2025 at 2:23 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Irish entrepreneur’s brand agency to create 20 jobs - Lisa Clarke’s Rowdy Studio expands Irish footprint with strategic branding wins
#irish #womenentrepreneurs #branding #brand #scalingbusiness #jobs
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/row...
Irish entrepreneur’s Rowdy to create 20 jobs | ThinkBusiness
Rowdy Studio expands in Ireland with major branding wins including Glass Bottle, CalypsoAI, and Clery’s Quarter, aiming to double team size across UK and Ireland.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 11, 2025 at 12:14 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚀 Dublin-based Glitch has raised €2m in seed funding to supercharge its mission to help creators monetise their content more effectively
#irish #digitaladvertising #tech #business #digitalmarketing #starups #funding
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/gli...
AI advertising firm Glitch secures €2m | ThinkBusiness
Glitch secures €2M to expand its AI-powered ad platform, helping lean B2B marketing teams automate campaign setup, targeting, and optimisation.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 11, 2025 at 10:32 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
From taking over a small bike shop in County Cavan to building a multi-location cycling business, George Allen of Feel Good Bicycles shares his journey, lessons from the pandemic boom, and why gratitude is his definition of success
#irish #business #cavan #SMEs
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/my-...
MBL: George Allen, Feel Good Bicycles | ThinkBusiness
George Allen shares the journey of Feel Good Bicycles, from a local shop to a multi-location business, with insights on growth, resilience, and cycling passion.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🏆 TrojanTrack named ‘One to Watch’ at UCD’s 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator

With over 200 horses already on its platform and a €1.3m seed round underway, TrojanTrack is preparing for full commercial launch in 2026.

#irish #equine #ai #business #ai #startups

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/tro...
AI start-up TrojanTrack named ‘One to Watch’ | ThinkBusiness
TrojanTrack wins UCD’s AI Accelerator One to Watch Award for its equine AI tech. Plans €1.3m seed round and Q1 2026 launch in Ireland and UK.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚨 Investment Scam Alert for Over-50s 🚨

Irish banks are warning of a surge in AI-generated celebrity endorsement scams targeting those nearing or in retirement. Losses are averaging €30,000–€40,000, with Gardaí reporting a 21% spike in cases.

#infosec #fraud

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/cel...
Banks warn of rise in AI-driven scams | ThinkBusiness
Irish banks warn over-50s of rising AI-driven celebrity investment scams, with losses averaging €30k–€40k. FraudSMART launches awareness campaign.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 10, 2025 at 10:11 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
CongRegation 2025 returns to Mayo with its 13th annual unconference, themed “Chaos.” From intimate huddles to sketch crawls and open mic sessions, the event blends academic insight with creative expression
#mayo #creativity #digital #events
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/cco...
CongRegation to bring order to the AI chaos | ThinkBusiness
Explore chaos through neuroscience, witchcraft, music and more at CongRegation 2025 in Cong, Mayo. 100 speakers, intimate talks and creative social events.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 7, 2025 at 11:07 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Chirp raising funding to progress child protection tech - The announcement coincides with Anti-Bullying Week, underscoring the company’s mission to combat online harms affecting children
#irish #ai #business #childprotection #antibullying #tech
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
Chirp raising funding for child protection | ThinkBusiness
Irish AI firm Chirp launches funding round to scale child protection tech that blocks cyberbullying and grooming on smartphones, even in encrypted apps.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 7, 2025 at 10:14 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
AI and video to take centre stage at Social Media Fest - Social Media Fest Ireland 2025 returns to Wexford with focus on AI, video and community building
#socialmedia #irish #business #ai #video #socialmediafest
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/soc...
AI and video top focus of Social Media Fest | ThinkBusiness
Social Media Fest Ireland returns to Wexford on 26 Nov 2025 with AI, video, LinkedIn sales, and community-building sessions for marketers and creatives.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 7, 2025 at 10:04 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
💡 Cash flow can make or break a business – even a profitable one

“If there’s no cash then it’s game over,” writes John Cradden in this article about Mastering Cash Flow Management for SMEs

#irish #business #SMEs #cashflow #financialwellbeing

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/mas...
Mastering cash flow management for SMEs | ThinkBusiness
Learn how SME owners can forecast, monitor, and manage cash flow effectively to ensure business stability, growth, and resilience in changing markets.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 6, 2025 at 12:35 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚀 Ireland’s edtech scene is scaling globally – and fast!
From AI-powered diagnostics to VR training and mobile-first microlearning, Irish-based start-ups are reshaping how we learn and work
#irish #edtech #business #startups #education #tech #ai
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
Irish edtech businesses to watch in 2026 | ThinkBusiness
Discover Ireland’s top edtech startups to watch in 2026, from AI-driven learning tools to VR training platforms transforming education and workforce development.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Irish shoppers adopt a calculating mindset ahead of #BlackFriday, according to eBay - Shift toward intentional purchasing and pre-sale decluttering, with nearly half of respondents selling items before making new purchases
#irish #ecommerce #business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
Irish Black Friday shoppers adopt a calculating mindset - Think Business
Irish shoppers are selling items and setting budgets ahead of Black Friday 2025, embracing smarter, intentional spending, eBay Ireland research reveals.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 5, 2025 at 11:35 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚨 Cyber stress is becoming a hidden risk, EY report reveals -Irish cyber leaders are facing mounting pressure from talent shortages, AI threats, and compliance demands – and it's taking a toll
#irish #business #cybersecurity #infosec
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
Cyber leaders battle rising stress levels | ThinkBusiness
Irish cyber leaders face talent shortages, AI threats, and rising stress. EY Ireland’s Cyber Leaders Index reveals gaps in training, funding, and resilience.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 5, 2025 at 10:34 AM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
What began as a B&B in 1976 has blossomed into one of Ireland’s most beloved family-run #hotels. Fitzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel in Adare is a living example of how community, #sustainability and generational ambition can power long-term #business success

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/fit...
Woodlands’ inspiring and sustainable journey | ThinkBusiness
Discover how Woodlands House Hotel & Spa grew from a family B&B to a 4-star resort, blending hospitality, sustainability, and community values in Adare.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 4, 2025 at 4:19 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Bank of Ireland has raised €750 million from its second green bond issuance of the year to finance more climate action projects in renewable energy and green buildings
#banking #business #sustainability #housing #esg
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ban...
Bank drives €30bn sustainable finance target | ThinkBusiness
Bank of Ireland raises €750m via green bond to fund climate projects. Strong investor demand signals confidence in sustainable finance strategy.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
November 4, 2025 at 2:14 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🌍 From Dingle to global shelves – Irish food producers are making waves

#Video #Podcast: At Blas na hÉireann 2025, three artisan #entrepreneurs shared how tradition, #innovation and #sustainability are shaping the future of #Irish #food.

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/bla...
Ingredients for success in food at Blas | ThinkBusiness
Irish food producers share success stories at Blas na hÉireann 2025, highlighting quality, tradition, and sustainability in artisan food innovation.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
October 17, 2025 at 2:38 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
€5m for universities making a strategic impact - Each institution will receive €1m following an independent evaluation of Impact Assessment Case Studies submitted earlier this year
#irish #universities #education #thirdlevel #business #funding
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/iri...
€5m for universities making strategic impact | ThinkBusiness
HEA awards €5M in performance funding to five Irish universities for strategic initiatives in inclusion, sustainability, entrepreneurship and space science.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
October 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
🚨 New ThinkBusiness Podcast Drop: The AI Divide in Irish Workplaces

🎙️ Ep 287 with Kieran McCorry, Microsoft Ireland

#irish #business #SMEs #AI

www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/ai-...
AI digital divide hits Irish workplaces | ThinkBusiness
In a new podcast, Microsoft’s Kieran McCorry reveals how AI is widening the workplace gap in Ireland, with execs thriving and frontline staff left behind.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
October 17, 2025 at 1:02 PM
mrjohnfkennedy.bsky.social
Mark O’Sullivan of NeuroBell named Founder of the Year 2025, recognising O’Sullivan’s leadership in developing Luna, a portable brain monitor designed to detect seizures in newborns using AI technology
#irish #medtech #founders #entrepreneurs #business
www.thinkbusiness.ie/articles/mar...
Mark O’Sullivan is Founder of the Year 2025 | ThinkBusiness
Mark O’Sullivan, CEO of NeuroBell, wins Enterprise Ireland’s 2025 Founder of the Year for Luna, an AI-powered neonatal brain monitor developed in Cork.
www.thinkbusiness.ie
October 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM