Growing Further

In this episode, David speaks with Jack Stenson, Founder of Charrlie. Having built a platform that supports high-stakes innovation and investment decisions, Jack brings a unique perspective on navigating uncertainty, making smart choices without perfect information, and scaling a business from the ground up.He shares the realities of entrepreneurship, from why everything takes longer and is harder than expected in the early stages to how founders can stay focused on solving the problems that truly move their business forward.Jack also discusses the role of risk in building a company, why fear-based decision-making can hold founders back, and the importance of maintaining ownership over key decisions while navigating complex challenges.It’s a conversation about resilience, focus, and learning how to build a business step by step with a long-term mindset.

In this episode, David speaks with Bill Cogan, founder of Seven Legal, a law firm designed specifically for startups raising capital and scaling fast.Bill breaks down the legal parts of fundraising that can quietly cost founders later, from term sheets and investor protections to key clauses that shape control, dilution, and exit outcomes. He shares how to approach a funding round without slowing it down, what “market” actually looks like in practice, and why getting the structure right early makes everything easier as the company grows.They also discuss Seven Legal’s model, giving founders direct access to experienced lawyers who have handled hundreds of funding rounds, alongside flexible general counsel support for companies not yet ready for a full-time Head of Legal.It’s a conversation about raising smarter, scaling faster, and building a company that is structured to win long term.

In this episode David speaks with Ankita Vijayvergiya, CEO and co-founder of BillionCarbon, the startup developing food waste processing technology that turns waste into nutrient-rich outputs and lowers carbon emissions at scale.Ankita explains why food waste is one of the biggest and most overlooked climate problems.They talk about moving from consulting into building hardware, why many food waste solutions fail to scale, and what it takes to turn a climate problem into a commercially viable company.

How do you turn sheep milk into a premium skincare brand? 🐑🧴 In this episode of the Growing Further Podcast, Nicola and Elaine share the journey behind Banór, an Irish skincare brand born from farming roots and pharmaceutical science. They talk openly about the two year research process, manufacturing setbacks, building during Covid, and why proof matters more than hype.You’ll hear how independent lab testing validated their products, how customer feedback shaped new launches, and what it takes to prepare a brand for global markets. A powerful conversation about patience, resilience, and building something different in a crowded industry 🌿🔬Subscribe for more founder stories and real startup lessons. ----Our website: growingfurther.io and follow us on Instagram @growingfurther.io #Podcast #FounderStory #Entrepreneurship #SkincareIndustry #StartupJourney #IrishBrands #Innovation #BusinessPodcast #GrowingFurther

Radhika Jakku is the Director of Tech Mash Solutions, based in Hyderabad, one of India’s fastest-growing tech hubs. In this episode she joins David to talk about India’s talent boom, why the country is becoming a global tech hotspot, and how her team powers software for multiple companies across the Greenman Group.She also shares her path from a small town to leading a 38-person engineering team, the role her mother played in her education, early career setbacks after Y2K, and what it took to step up, lead, and grow. It is a story about grit, opportunity, and the rise of modern India.

Adie McGuinness is Chair of Sigma Recruitment and one of the most experienced voices in Irish recruitment. In this episode, he sits down with David to talk about how work has changed over the past 30 years — and what hasn’t.They dig into the early days of Ireland’s startup scene, the cultural shifts in hiring, and the lessons Adie’s learned building and rebuilding businesses through booms, busts, and buyouts. From office culture and remote work to mental health, politics, and the reality of doing business in Ireland, this is a candid look at the world of work from someone who's seen it all.

Carmen Sitz is the CEO and co-founder of edyfi, a Berlin-based startup using data to help retail real estate stakeholders make faster, smarter decisions about their buildings. In this episode, Carmen joins David to talk about becoming a young founder, building inside a legacy industry, and what it takes to turn complex data into a usable product.They also dig into what it means to launch something new from within a larger company, how to win trust with non-technical users, and why the slowest-moving markets can be the most rewarding to build in.

David O’Meara kicks off Season 2 of The Growing Further Podcast with a conversation with Gary Fox, entrepreneur and host of The Entrepreneur Experiment Podcast. Gary shares his journey from idea to execution, the lessons learned along the way, and the mindset shifts that shaped his path. This episode dives into the realities of entrepreneurship, the power of experimentation, and what it really takes to grow further.

This week, David chats with Vinny Breslin, who went from teenage entrepreneur in Donegal to co-founder of Uplisting, a fast-growing SaaS business for short-term rentals. They talk building without a blueprint, growing a remote team, and what it takes to hand over a company you’ve spent years building. Now stepping back, Vinny reflects on the transition and how he’s approaching whatever comes next.

David O'Meara talks to Alex Kelly, co-founder and COO of Brightflag, about transforming the legal industry through technology and AI. Alex shares how Brightflag helps global companies manage legal spend, improve efficiency, and build data-driven legal teams — and reflects on his own journey from lawyer to tech entrepreneur.

In this episode of the Growing Further podcast, David O'Meara speaks with Stephen Smith, founder of Kitman Labs, about how data is transforming the world of sports performance. From injury prevention to talent development, they explore how elite teams use technology, analytics, and AI to make smarter decisions and drive success. Stephen also shares his journey from Leinster Rugby to Silicon Valley, offering insights into leadership, innovation, and building a global sports tech business.

This week David O'meara talks to Humberto Martinez Barones, co-founder of Nerit'e and finalist at the Growing Further Awards 2024. Humberto shares his journey from Mexico to Germany, building innovative in-season soil fertility solutions to make farming more efficient and sustainable.Discover how Nerit'e is helping farmers optimize yields, reduce costs, and protect the planet. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about the future of agriculture and tech-driven solutions for global farming challenges.👉https://nerite.tech/ 👉https://www.growingfurther.io/

In this episode, David O'Meara sits down with Julian Hughes, Managing Director of Hughes Farming, to explore his journey from a small 3.5-acre farm to managing over 1,000 acres. Julian shares insights into treating farming as a business, embracing sustainability, and leveraging innovative technology like robotic weeding. Tune in to hear about the challenges of food inflation, the state of Irish agriculture, and the importance of consumer choices in supporting local produce. 

In this special episode, David O'Meara sat down with three past Growing Further finalists—MyGug, BiaSol, and martee ai—to explore their exciting progress in food innovation since January’s awards ceremony. Plus, this year’s judge, Heather Morris, Head of Investments at Founders Talent Accelerator, shared invaluable insights into the key factors for launching a product and the broader startup ecosystem in Ireland and beyond.

In this episode, Aisling Murray, Founder and Director of Beta Festival—an event celebrating the fusion of art and technology from November 1st to 17th in Dublin—joins host David O'Meara to discuss her entrepreneurial journey and the role of innovation in shaping Beta Festival.

In this episode, host David O'Meara sits down with Bobby Healy, the mastermind behind several successful ventures and founder of Manna Drone Delivery. Growing Further seeks to identify, recognise and reward companies whose goal is to positively impact the retail supply chain. Growing Further focuses on the entire supply chain, from production to waste management, promoting companies that are striving for a more sustainable future for the retail industry.