More than 70 business leaders gather for two-day celebration as regional scaling community surpasses 3,000 employees and €500m in combined revenues

More than 70 regional business leaders gathered in Spanish Point, Co. Clare, for a major two-day business event marking the second anniversary of SCALE by Platform94.

Established by Platform94 in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, SCALE supports ambitious scaling businesses across the West and North West, with a particular focus on international growth, collaboration and connectivity.

The celebration coincided with the launch of the SCALE by Platform94 Two-Year Community Impact & Outlook Report, highlighting the growth and impact of the community since its establishment.

SCALE now comprises 110 businesses across 12 counties, collectively employing more than 3,000 people, with combined revenues to the end of 2026 estimated to exceed €500 million. More than 500 strategic introductions have also been facilitated through the community since its inception.

Platform94 CEO and Clare native Marie Donnellan said the figures demonstrate both the economic significance of the businesses within the community and their ambition for further growth.

“The progress of this community in just two years has been remarkable. Behind the headline figures are ambitious businesses creating employment, growing revenues and increasingly looking beyond Ireland for their next phase of growth.

“More than 500 strategic introductions have been facilitated since SCALE began, reflecting the collaborative ethos of the community. This celebration saw leaders coming together to share experiences, make meaningful connections and help one another go further.”

Hosted at the Armada Hotel in Co. Clare, the two-day programme brought together some of Ireland’s most accomplished entrepreneurs and organisational leaders for a series of conversations focused on international scaling, leadership, resilience and the evolving challenges facing growing businesses.

Jenny Melia, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland, joined Donnellan for a fireside conversation exploring the changing needs of scaling Irish businesses, leadership capacity, international ambition and export readiness.

*Jenny Melia, Chief Executive of Enterprise Ireland in conversation with Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94*

An International Scaling Panel featuring Tom Keogh, Founder and CEO of Keogh’s Farm; Gerard Teahon, Founder and CEO of Uniquely; and John Concannon, Founder and CEO of JFC Group explored the realities of building an international business from Ireland.

The discussion covered export readiness, selecting the right markets and opportunities, building trusted international relationships, managing increasing organisational complexity and some of the pivotal decisions and hard lessons encountered along their respective scaling journeys.

Gerard Teahon, Founder & CEO of Uniquely; John Concannon, Founder & CEO of JFC Group; Tom Keogh, Founder & CEO of Keogh’s Farm and host Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94 take audience questions during International Scaling Panel.

A second panel, Leading with Resilience, delivered in partnership with Vhi, brought together Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann; Pat McDonagh, Founder and Managing Director of Supermac’s Group; and Clare hurling legend and GETSET Nutrition co-founder John Conlon. The candid conversation explored leadership through challenging periods, personal and professional setbacks, managing leadership capacity, developing resilient teams and the experiences that have shaped each speaker’s approach to leadership.

Pat McDonagh, Founder and Managing Director of Supermac’s Group; Mary Considine, Chief Executive of Iarnród Éireann; and Clare hurling legend and GETSET Nutrition co-founder John Conlon join host Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94 for ‘Leading with Resilience with Vhi’

The event's host, John Burke, owner of the Armada Hotel, also joined Donnellan for a special dinner conversation exploring the growth and continued evolution of the Armada business before reflecting on his experience of climbing Mount Everest and the lessons in leadership, preparation and resilience he brought home.

Donnellan said the openness of the speakers reflected one of the core principles behind the SCALE community.

“One of the greatest assets available to any business leader is the experience of those who have already navigated the road ahead. What made these conversations so valuable was the willingness of our speakers to share not just their successes, but the difficult decisions, setbacks and lessons behind them. Creating opportunities for business leaders to learn from one another, build meaningful relationships and access experience that can help accelerate their own journey is exactly what SCALE was established to do.”

*LtoR - Tom Keogh, Pat McDonagh, John Conlon, Gerard Teahon, Marie Donnellan, John Concannon, Mary Considine, Jenny Melia, John Burke and Dave Hickey.*

The event was held in Spanish Point as part of Platform94’s commitment to bringing its business community into different regional locations and creating an economic and promotional impact around its gatherings.

Local businesses were deliberately incorporated throughout the event, with products from fourteen Clare companies included in delegate gift bags and local experiences showcased through event spot prizes.

Donnellan added: “The response we received from the Clare business community was amazing. There was a real sense of pride and enthusiasm around showcasing the county, and our delegates embraced every moment of it. The reaction to the local products and experiences was fantastic. It demonstrated exactly why bringing business events to regional locations can be hugely impactful “

“For me personally, being able to bring this event to Clare and showcase the county I am immensely proud of was incredible special and will stay with me for a long time.”

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