News: The Interceltic Business Forum - A Celebration of Celtic Innovation and Collaboration
L to R: Fergal O'Connor, CEO of BuyMedia; Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94; Damian Young, CEO of Zeus Scooters and Nadine Callcutt, Famileo
Platform94 attend the Interceltic Business Forum in Lorient: A Celebration of Celtic Innovation and Collaboration
On August 12, 2024, business leaders from across the Celtic regions gathered in Lorient, France, for the highly anticipated Interceltic Business Forum. Our CEO Marie, joined a west of Ireland delegation at the forum on behalf of Platform94, where we proudly partnered on the inaugural OCO Global Interceltic Scaling Awards. The event, following successful editions in Lorient, Galway, and Cardiff, solidified its reputation as a must-attend event for those seeking to promote innovation, economic development, and international partnerships among Celtic nations.
A Day of Insightful Discussions and Networking
The agenda was filled with insightful discussions, ranging from building Celtic connections and powering collaborations, to exploring the future of mobility and managing cross-border investments.
The day began with a warm welcome from Fabrice Loher, President of Lorient Agglomeration, and Philippe Rouault, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Morbihan.
This set the stage for a series of thought-provoking presentations, including a session on building Celtic connections from the West of Ireland by Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the Western Development Commission, and a presentation on the Celtic Interconnector by Pádraig Slyne, Head of Public Affairs at Eirgrid.
Throughout the day, the attendees explored a variety of topics crucial to the Celtic business community. Notable sessions included discussions on the economic impact of the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, growing trade links between France and Ireland, doing business in the Isle of Man—a UNESCO Biosphere—and the future of mobility, presented by Wassim Derguech, COO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland. These discussions provided valuable insights and fostered meaningful connections among the attendees.
Representatives of the Celtic regions attend a group dinner on the eve of the Interceltic Business Forum.
The Inaugural Interceltic Scaling Awards
Platform94 were delighted to partner on the inaugural OCO Global Interceltic Scaling Awards, a highlight of the forum that celebrated the superb innovations emerging from the Celtic regions. Congratulations to each of the inspiring finalists—Revive Eco, Buymedia, Zeus Scooters, Famileo, Ultramed, Flexi-Hex, Whisper, and Delio, who are each making a significant impact in their respective industries. These companies exemplify the spirit of innovation and collaboration that the Interceltic Business Forum seeks to promote.
Congratulations to the overall winner, Famileo from Brittany, and a huge shout out to the two runners-up, both from Ireland—Buymedia and Zeus Scooters. This is a testament to the world class innovations emerging from Ireland.
A Look Ahead
Marie was honoured to join the great delegation from the West of Ireland, which included the Western Development Commission and Future Mobility Ireland. Special thanks to to Charles Kergaravat for his impeccable organization of the event which included group events on both the evening before and the evening of the forum, allowing us to build on the great Celtic connections.
At Platform94, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to explore collaborations with our Celtic colleagues. We look forward to further strengthening our partnerships across the Celtic nations.
This year's Interceltic Business Forum was a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential that lies within the Celtic business community. We are proud to have been a part of this event and look forward to future opportunities for growth, innovation, and partnership.