TLDR:
- Gerry Maguire, a partner at Atlantic Bridge, has been appointed as the new chair of the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA).
- Maguire’s appointment comes at a critical time for Ireland’s tech sector and economy, as global uncertainties and funding challenges are impacting the industry.
In his new role as chair of IVCA, Maguire will be focusing on addressing the challenges faced by Ireland’s indigenous tech sector and economy. With over €1.3bn invested in Irish tech start-ups last year, Maguire aims to source private capital to support the growth of these companies into international winners. He highlighted the decline in international funding into Irish SMEs in the first quarter of 2024 as a key concern.
Maguire, who co-founded Atlantic Bridge in 2004, has a background in electronic engineering and has been actively involved in investments in tech sectors such as cybersecurity, semiconductors, and AI. With Atlantic Bridge managing over €1bn in assets and offices across several locations, Maguire brings valuable experience to his new role as chair of IVCA.
Maguire’s appointment follows Denise Sidhu’s term as chair of IVCA, during which she raised concerns about Ireland’s reliance on international venture capital investors and multinational corporation tax issues. The goal now is to support indigenous tech start-ups and prevent them from falling into overseas ownership before reaching their full potential.
Overall, Maguire’s leadership as the new chair of IVCA will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Ireland’s tech sector and economy amid ongoing global challenges and funding uncertainties.
