Author Archives: David Scanlon

The 2025 Growing Further Awards

Resolve Partners were delighted to attend the Growing Further Awards in Dublin, an event that celebrates innovation in the grocery retail supply chain. With its strong focus on sustainability and commercial impact, the awards align closely with the work we do at Accelerate Green, supporting ventures that are shaping a greener future. Congratulations to all the event partners, and in particular to Greenman Investments for showing leadership in supporting innovation in this important industry sector.

A particular highlight was seeing Biota Monitoring—an Accelerate Green alumni—among the finalists. Their progress since taking part in our programme has been impressive, and it was fantastic to see them recognised here. Biota’s technology integrates data from central operating systems, certification bodies (e.g., Fairtrade), and procurement software to deliver audit-grade insights—all without needing to contact a single site. The event also provided an opportunity to engage with forward-thinking businesses and investors who share our commitment to sustainable innovation.

 

Oliver Begley, Biota Monitoring

 

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, and in particular to food-waste treatment developer Billion Carbon, who emerged victorious with the top prize. We look forward to continuing our support for ventures that drive real environmental and commercial change, and the development of a strong ecosystem that allows this to happen at the pace required.

 

2024 Highlights: How We Supported 80+ Entrepreneurs, and What’s Next

Now that we’re up and running in 2025, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the strong progress we made at Resolve Partners throughout 2024. Last year was packed with exciting projects, meaningful collaborations, and impactful results—all made possible through your continued support and trust. From innovative solutions to ambitious ventures, we’ve been proud to work alongside you to tackle challenges and deliver lasting value—and across the year, we directly supported 80+ entrepreneurs on our end-to-end programmes.

Here’s some highlights, to give you a flavour of what we got up to

Accelerate Green

One standout highlight was the continuation of our work with Bord na Móna on Accelerate Green, the award-winning sustainability accelerator programme. We delivered a record three cohorts over 2024, and in the process supported 26 Irish companies across a variety of climate solution sectors. It was inspiring to see so many of these businesses being championed at Bord na Móna’s Accelerate Green Conference in May 2024, which showcased ground-breaking innovations, and fostered key partnerships for delivering sustainability impact. If you’re interested in learning more about the  Accelerate Green programme then we’d be delighted to see you at the 2025 edition of the Accelerate Green Conference—keep an eye on your inbox for a invite in the weeks ahead.

SETU startX

Resolve Partners also delivered the startX innovation programme in 2024, in partnership with South East Technological University (SETU). The programme supported four cohorts of early-stage innovators, providing mentorship, insights, and entrepreneurial tools to help participants navigate their start-up journeys. Culminating in the startX Showcase event in May, participants shared their progress and ideas with stakeholders, highlighting the programme’s focus on fostering innovation and strengthening connections within the South East’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers

Another major highlight was the New Frontiers Accelerate pilot programme, delivered in partnership with TU Dublin and Enterprise Ireland. This intensive programme equipped early-stage entrepreneurs with the tools, mentorship, and strategies needed to launch scalable businesses. The showcase in November featured innovative pitches from participants, demonstrating market-ready solutions across sectors like cyber compliance, sustainability, and health – this is a great example of the work we’re engaged in nationwide with the New Frontiers programme.

Food and Agriculture Sustainable Technology Innovation Programme (FAST-IP)

In collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD) and Teagasc, we also delivered the Food and Agriculture Sustainable Technology Innovation Programme (FAST-IP). This initiative supported 15 participants with scholarships and practical experience to develop solutions in agricultural technology and food sustainability, accelerating commercialisation and driving innovation in Ireland’s food and agriculture sector. We’re excited to see the expansion of similar “needs-led” innovation programmes in the coming years, particularly in the area of climate and biodiversity entrepreneurship.

As we move forward into 2025, we couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come. With new opportunities on the horizon and a goal to keep supporting the best of Ireland’s innovative business leaders, we can’t wait to build on last year’s momentum and continue delivering results that matter. Thank you for being part of our journey so far—here’s to another year of growth, collaboration, and success.

Wishing you a fantastic start to the New Year!

New Frontiers Accelerate 2024 Showcase

Celebrating Innovation: Highlights from the New Frontiers Accelerate Showcase

At Resolve Partners, we pride ourselves on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, and the recent New Frontiers Accelerate Showcase was a testament to the transformative power of our work. Delivered in partnership with TU Dublin and Enterprise Ireland, this intensive residential programme for experienced professionals with high-potential business ideas culminated in an inspiring showcase of entrepreneurial talent and innovation.

The New Frontiers Accelerate programme was designed with a single mission: to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, and confidence they need to bring their scalable, exportable businesses to life. At Resolve Partners, we were privileged to play a central role in shaping and delivering this initiative. Our involvement spanned every aspect of the programme—from crafting its curriculum and delivering immersive modules, to providing individualised mentorship that addressed the unique challenges faced by each participant.

The inaugural Showcase, which took place on November 30, 2024, provided a platform for these trailblazing entrepreneurs to pitch their ventures to an audience of investors, industry leaders, and ecosystem supporters. It was a day of bold ideas and impressive execution, showcasing businesses poised to make a meaningful impact across diverse sectors.

Our Role in the Success of New Frontiers Accelerate

Resolve Partners brought our extensive experience as supporters and investors in early-stage ventures to the New Frontiers Accelerate programme, ensuring its content was both rigorous and practical. Key areas we focused on included:

  • Business Model Validation: Helping founders test and refine their ideas to meet market demands.
  • Go-to-Market Strategies: Equipping participants with actionable plans for early customer engagement and scaling.
  • Investment Readiness: Guiding entrepreneurs on how to articulate their value proposition and prepare for investor conversations.
  • Personalised Mentorship: Drawing on our team’s entrepreneurial expertise to address the unique opportunities and challenges of each venture.
The Resolve Partners Team at the Enterprise Ireland TU Dublin NF Accelerate Progrramme Nov'24

The Resolve Partners Team at the Enterprise Ireland TU Dublin NF Accelerate Progrramme Nov’24

 

A Glimpse into the Future

The participants of this year’s cohort are tackling some of the most pressing challenges of our time, with innovative solutions spanning cyber compliance, sustainability, and athlete’s health. Their passion and determination were clear in every pitch, underscoring why programmes like New Frontiers Accelerate are vital for fostering Ireland’s start-up ecosystem.

We’re very proud of the role we’ve played in this journey and look forward to seeing the growth and impact of these promising startups. At Resolve Partners, we remain committed to empowering entrepreneurs and driving innovation at every stage of the journey.

If you’re an entrepreneur looking to scale or an investor seeking impactful opportunities, we’d love to hear from you. Let’s continue to build a vibrant and dynamic start-up ecosystem in Ireland together.

Accelerate Green Start 2024 (Autumn) Showcase

 

Showcasing Ireland’s Green Entrepreneurs: Accelerate Green Culminates in Innovation and Impact

On November 27th, Bord na Móna’s Accelerate Green START programme, the award-winning climate tech accelerator, reached its exciting conclusion with a Showcase event held at the organisation’s headquarters. This gathering was not only a celebration of Ireland’s most promising green entrepreneurs but also a testament to the programme’s commitment to tackling climate change while driving job creation in Ireland’s green economy.

Since its launch in 2022, Accelerate Green has been a key platform for early-stage businesses and SMEs developing sustainable solutions for a low-carbon future. The Autumn 2024 cohort marked another milestone in this journey, as participating companies presented their innovative solutions to an esteemed audience of industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and investors, including Bord na Móna CEO Tom Donnellan.

The Showcase event provided participants with an invaluable platform to demonstrate how their ideas are poised to impact both Ireland’s sustainability targets and its economy. Many of these companies are pioneering technologies that not only reduce carbon emissions and enhance biodiversity but also promise to create high-quality, green jobs across the country.

Highlighted startups included:

  • EcoRoots: Reducing reliance on plastics with biodegradable, mycelium-based materials, fostering a circular economy.
  • Range Therapy: Unlocking the potential of second-life EV batteries to create local energy storage solutions.
  • Agri Data Analytics: Innovating in agricultural sustainability with their “Bovine Breathalyser,” supporting farmers while reducing emissions.
  • Anaula Ltd: Advancing scalable algae bioreactors for CO2 capture with applications in aquaculture and fertilisers.

Speaking about the programme, Tom Donnellan reflected on the dual mission of Accelerate Green: “Ireland’s green entrepreneurs are key to achieving our climate action goals and creating a thriving, sustainable economy. By supporting these ventures, we’re fostering innovation that addresses urgent environmental challenges while laying the foundation for long-term job creation across sectors.”

The programme’s alumni have collectively raised significant venture funding since its inception, underscoring the real-world impact of this initiative. Several participants have already formed partnerships to scale their operations, creating both environmental and economic value in renewable energy, carbon reduction, sustainable agriculture, and eco-materials.

As the Accelerate Green initiative continues to evolve, its focus remains clear: empowering entrepreneurs to build businesses that drive climate action, generate employment, and position Ireland as a global leader in green innovation.

Resolve Partners is proud to have played a key role in delivering the Accelerate Green START programme. This initiative showcases the incredible potential of Irish green entrepreneurs to not only address critical sustainability challenges but also create meaningful employment. The success of this year’s cohort demonstrates how targeted support and mentorship can help early-stage businesses scale and thrive in the green economy.

With the Showcase event at Bord na Móna HQ marking another chapter in the programme’s success, it’s clear that the seeds planted through Accelerate Green will continue to grow—delivering tangible benefits for the environment, the economy, and the communities they serve.

Accelerate Green 2024 Programme Now Open

Here at Resolve, we’re very excited to share details of the upcoming Accelerate Green programme. Since the programme’s launch in October 2021, we’ve been proud to support Bord na Móna as they have built and led a coalition of innovative Irish companies who are working to make a difference in the sustainability sector.

Inspired by Bord na Móna’s own transition journey in becoming a leading climate solutions company, we have worked with 25 of Ireland’s most inspiring and ambitious business leaders, helping them transform their green companies on the pathway to scale. We’re now seeking applications from innovation-led SMEs, early-stage companies, and start-ups in the sustainability sector.

We have developed the Accelerate Green programme to be a supportive and collaborative environment, designed to give company leaders the insights, skills, and above all community on which to grow their business. Most importantly, the programme is anchored on demonstrating impact: companies in the Accelerate Green portfolio are not only making a measurable difference on our sustainability challenges, they’re also creating new high-skilled employment, helping Ireland achieve a resilient and sustainable economy.

Find out more about the companies we’ve supported, and how to apply for the programme by visiting the Accelerate Green website today; or, simply drop an email to hello@resolvepartners.ie and we’ll schedule time with you to learn more about your business.

Resolve Partners and Ireland’s Sustainable Future 2023

Following on from the success of the 2022 event, we’re excited to be partnering again with Bord na Móna on the Accelerate Green 2023 Conference: Ireland’s Sustainable Future.

Developed to celebrate the sustainability work of Bord na Móna, and also marking the culmination of the third cohort of Accelerate Green, the conference takes place on June 1st, at the Tullamore Court Hotel, and features an immense line-up of speakers, and an audience of Ireland’s most enthusiastic and influential environmental and impact stakeholders.

Here’s just a small snapshot of the confirmed speakers:

From climate solutions to impact business models, you will hear from companies about the positive change they’re delivering right now, and from the entrepreneurs poised to accelerate that change even further. If you’re looking for inspiration to increase the impact your company is currently making, or seeking the right partner to help deliver a new sustainability solution, you’ll find it at this event.

And, if you’re travelling from Dublin, our partners at Irish Rail are offering free return tickets from Dublin Heuston to Tullamore on the day of the conference – there’s even a dedicated conference carriage reserved for attendees, and we’ll have some very special guests joining us for the trip! This is a repeat of The SustainTrain experience we created at the 2022 conference – it was a unique way to begin the day, and a memorable experience for everyone involved.

We’re excited about the continued impact that the Accelerate Green community can deliver, and this conference is a critical part of that. We’d be delighted to see you there, to support the leaders of Ireland’s sustainable future.

There’s limited places available, so drop us a line today if you’re interested in attending: we’re at hello@resolvepartners.ie.