The second annual West by West (West X West) tech, venture and culture event kicks off in Castlebar, County Mayo, this Thursday and Friday (15/16 October) – a two-day and two-night festival connecting Irish founders, global capital, enterprise leaders and cultural figures.
Over 50 leading names in global technology and funding will debate the real issues and opportunities for Ireland attaching to agentic AI, international scaling, Irish MedTech, infrastructure, the emerging space economy, creative industries, cybersecurity and identity.
Senior leaders including Dr Patricia Scanlon, Chair of the Irish AI Advisory Council;Â Sean Blanchfield, CEO Jentic; Malcolm Craig, Country Head Revolut Ireland; Mimi Underwood, Senior Director Google will bring their unique perspectives to the fore on how Ireland can capture new wins within new and emerging technologies whilst also navigating the associated challenges.
Event Organiser Derek O’Doherty says West X West is at the business end of the current tech and AI debate – “There is no shortage of commentary about technology and AI, future investment and innovation. What is often missing is a more genuine conversation direct from the sector about what is actually working now, what is not, and what Ireland can and must do right now to benefit. West X West was created to bring together those people who are building new tech companies, providing investment capital, creating jobs and shaping the future direction of travel. This week in Castlebar, we’ll cut through the noise and speculation and indeed the trepidation and have the conversations that really matter and that identify the real future opportunities for growth.”
This year’s expanded West X West programme combines the technology and investment aspects with a special founders’ competition and a comprehensive cultural programme spanning the 2-day event.
Founder and Investor Focus
West X West will connect Irish founders with Irish, UK and US investors, including 14 institutional investors with investment capacity of over €14bn – with names such as Atlantic Bridge, Elkstone Capital, Gresham House; Key Capital; Delta Capital, Act Capital; J2 Ventures Clarke Hill and others.
A special event – Future Foundry – will feature 32 pre-seed companies in MedTech, B2B software, AI and FinTech competing through successive stages, with four winners to be selected in Castlebar and then travelling on immediately to New York for Irish Tech Week at the Nasdaq building on 19-20 October.
Culture and Live Events Programme
A varied evening programme over both nights will include 18 live performances across venues including the Linenhall Theatre, Christ Church and Bridge Street. Renowned Irish composer and arranger, Bill Whelan, will be interviewed at West X West by the BBC’s Fergal Keane and Bill will also stage a special performance at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar with a special ensemble. The entertainment also includes separate performances by Niall Breslin and the Polaris Quartet, Liam Ă“ MaonlaĂ, Roesy, FeliSpeaks and Slyrydes amongst other well-known and emerging Irish acts
