Agenda

Catering

The lunch will be provided by Lily & Wild who is a “full-service” catering company, who are dedicated to helping create unique and long-lasting memories through exceptional food and service.

Elephant In The Room

Elephant in the Room is a project created by The Art of Fundraising which has a track record of delivering incredible public arts events that raise significant funds for charities and other worthy causes.

10am - 11am

Registration & Networking

Early Bird Breakfast for the first 100+ attendees on site.

11am - 12pm

Legend of Business Interview

Entrepreneur and Former CEO of ESW

From a six-person Dublin start-up to a global ecommerce powerhouse operating in 200+ markets — Tommy Kelly has done it the hard way and come out the other side with the battle scars to prove it. The founder of ESW (formerly eShopWorld) and co-founder of TwoWay Vanguard (sold to Aramex in 2006) sits down with Matt Cooper for a no-holds-barred conversation on building big, leading boldly, and taking Irish businesses to the world stage.

12pm - 12:45pm

The SaaS Journey

Áine Denn, Entrepreneur and previously Co-Founder Altify

The SaaS Journey Áine Denn co-founded Altify in Dublin in 2005 — a global B2B SaaS business building innovative sales technology for revenue teams. What followed was a 15-year journey: scaling internationally across the US, UK and Europe before selling to Upland Software in 2019 in a deal worth reportedly c. $84 million. Since exiting, Áine has focused on board and advisory work and — because the beach was never really the plan — co-founding Blazer, a new AI startup.

12:45pm - 2pm

Lunch & Networking

A free lunch will be split into three different food zones to ensure all attendees get serviced within the allocated time. There is also free coffee, water and snacks available to all throughout the day. View our lunch menu here.

2pm - 3:00pm

Sean O'Connor STATSports

M&A in Sport

Sean O’Connor, Co-Founder of STATSports, and Mickey O’Rourke, Founder of Setanta Sports

This panel brings together founders who have built, scaled, and sold world-class businesses in the sporting sector. From GPS wearables trusted by elite teams worldwide, to the broadcast deals that bring sport into living rooms across the globe — these are entrepreneurs who know what it takes to get a deal done, and what comes next when the ink dries. Sean O'Connor, Co-Founder of STATSports (acquired by Sony), on building a global business from scratch and navigating a landmark acquisition. Mickey O'Rourke, founder of Setanta Sports and Premier Sports — from screening World Cup matches in London in 1990, to securing Premier League rights and launching across multiple continents. One of Ireland's most consequential media entrepreneurs.

2:45pm - 3:30pm

Networking

The Real Deal 2026 will finish at 3:30pm to facilitate networking opportunities at the end of the event. Free coffee, water and snacks will be provided.

3:30pm

Event Finish

Safe travels home!

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