Following the success of previous editions in Lorient and Cardiff, the Interceltic Business Forum is moving to Galway, Ireland, for its next event in April. This decision marks an important milestone in the event's continued growth and demonstrates the commitment of economic actors and partners.

The Interceltic Business Forum has become a must-attend event for business leaders from the Celtic world seeking to promote innovation, economic development, and international partnerships. After successfully bringing together speakers from different Celtic regions in previous editions, this upcoming edition in Galway promises to be even richer in networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and exploration of new economic horizons.

Galway, known for its dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit, provides an ideal setting to host this prestigious event. As one of Ireland's most vibrant cities economically, culturally, and technologically, Galway represents a strategic location for fostering trade and economic development among Celtic nations.

A delegation from Brittany will travel to Galway for the conference, led by Fabrice Loher, President of Lorient Agglomeration. 

The Interceltic Business Forum in Galway represents a unique opportunity to strengthen economic and commercial ties between Celtic countries, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and contribute to the sustainable economic development of the region.

What: Interceltic Business Forum

When: 19/04/24

Where: PorterShed (15 Market St, Galway, H91 TCX3, Ireland)

Program :

9am, Coffee

9:30am Welcome - Eddie Hoare, Mayor of Galway

9:45am Charles Kergaravat, Founder - Interceltic Business Forum

10am, Keynote - Fabrice Loher, President of Lorient Agglomération

10:15am, Roundtable - Entreprendre à la Lorientaise

Sabrina Millien, Founder - La Colloc

Philippe Rouault, President - CCI Morbihan

11:15am Networking Break

11:30am Roundtable, Successfully Scaling your Business in the West of Ireland, WDC Investment Fund

Olive McLucas, WDC Investment Fund,

Fergal O’Connor, CEO - Buymedia,

Andrew Cameron, CEO - Feeltect

12pm Roundtable, - Scotland and Ireland working together to build the rural economy - Scotland, Scottish Government in Ireland

Katy McNeil (Head of Scottish Government, Ireland Office) – Moderator

Anna Sellars (Senior Rural Business Consultant, Scotland’s Rural College)

Martin McBride (Founder and Owner Envision Management Consultant, Causeway Business Network Board, Killybegs Cluster Representative)

Eve-Anne McCarron (External Engagement Manager, Atlantic Technological University)

12:45pm Lunch

1:45pm Keynote “Remote work and relocation: Evidence from Ireland” Relocation Patterns across Ireland”, Deirdre Frost - Policy Analyst/Digiwest Project Manager, Western Development Commission

2pm Roundtable ““Remoting working and relocation: opportunities and challenges” WDC

Kevin Feighery IBEC, Ricky Conneely IDA West

2:30pm Startup Spotlight - AI and minority languages

Linda Heimisdóttir, CEO - mideind.is

John Clancy, CEO - galvia.ai

Tomás Ó Síocháin, CEO - Údarás na Gaeltachta

3:30pm Networking Break

3:50pm Keynote - Wales in Ireland

John O’Loughlin, Head of Trade and Investment, Welsh Government Office, Ireland


4pm Keynote - Mark O'Connell, Chairman - OCO Global 

4:15pm Interceltic Economic Development Roundtable 

John O’Loughlin, Head of Trade and Investment, Welsh Government Office, Ireland

Mark O'Connell, Chairman - OCO Global

Nicola Lloyd, Director of Trade & Investment - Cornwall

4:45pm Scale-up Spotlight - Platform 94

Jacqui O’Connor, CEO - Medscan 3D

Kevin Keane, CEO - Chipright

Marie Donnellan, CEO - Platform 94

5:15pm How you launch a startup and go global on a tiny budget

Justin Mitchell, Founder - Cleft Notes

5:35pm Closing

5:45pm Cocktail

About the Interceltic Business Forum:

The Interceltic Business Forum is an annual event that brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and experts from the Celtic world to discuss economic issues, foster business partnerships, and promote innovation. Since its inception, the Interceltic Business Forum has established itself as a key platform for the development of economic and commercial relations between Celtic regions.

Jointly organized by Breizh Amerika, OCO Global, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Lorient Agglomération, the Western Development Commission in Ireland, the Scottish Business Network, CCI Morbihan, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway Chamber and the Club Wales-France Business Forum, this event is the result of a fruitful collaboration among these partners committed to strengthening economic ties within the Celtic world.