Sean Gallagher NovaUCD 'Entrepreneurs Live!' Seminar

As part of the NovaUCD Open Day (24 March), Sean Gallagher, co-founder and CEO, Smarthomes and a 'Dragon' on RTE's 'Dragons' Den' TV Programme will deliver a NovaUCD 'Entrepreneurs Live!' Seminar.

The seminar will take place from 1pm - 1:50pm (light lunch available from 12:30 pm) in NovaUCD, Belfield Innovation Park, UCD. Attendance at the seminar is open to all especially undergraduate and postgraduate students.

At the seminar Sean will talk about his experiences of setting-up and running his businesses emphasising the highs and lows encountered along his entrepreneurial journey and highlighting the secrets of his entrepreneurial success to date. After the seminar, attendees will have the opportunity to ask Sean probing questions.

Sean's seminar will be the last in the current series of 'Entrepreneurs Live!' seminar series delivered by NovaUCD in association with the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board. The aim of the seminars is to promote a spirit of entrepreneurship among the academic, research and student population at UCD.

Podcasts of previous seminars are available.

**** As space is limited at these seminars advanced registration is recommended ***

To register to attend any seminar please contact: Caroline Gill,  t: 716 3715,  e: caroline.gill@ucd.ie.

Profile Sean Gallagher – Co-founder and CEO, Smarthomes 

Sean Gallagher is co-founder and CEO of Smarthomes and one of the ‘Dragons’ on RTE’s  ‘Dragons Den’ TV programme. Established up in 2002, Smarthomes install cabling and technology systems into thousands of homes each year, providing home owners with access to the latest in communication and entertainment services. With the recent downturn in the building sector in Ireland, the company is currently embarking on an ambitious plan to enter foreign markets.

In 1995 Sean was appointed A/CEO of Louth’s County Enterprise Board. Over the following 5 years he graduated with an MBA, developed and presented "real life" start-your-own business courses to hundreds of budding entrepreneurs. In 2000 he left to pilot his own business venture, with business partner Derek Roddy. Two years later they launched Smarthomes.

In 2004 Smarthomes was the overall winner of InterTradeIreland’s All-island Seedcorn Business Competition and a top prize of €100,000. The company went on to receive numerous awards and accolades including the Deloitte Fast 50 Rising Star Award for New Technology Companies (2005) and the Innovator of the Year Award at the SFA Business Awards (2005). Sean was also a finalist in the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

In 2007 Sean was appointed by the Government to the Board of InterTradeIreland and he is now spearheading a campaign to launch an all-island national network of business angels who are willing to provide start-up capital and mentoring to early stage businesses.