In this episode of Trading Up, recorded live at the Tech Tides Conference in Derry, Jim Fitzpatrick sits down with renowned technology entrepreneur, active angel investor, and Awaken Angels co-founder Mary McKenna. Mary shares the remarkable origin story of how retrieving a discarded government memorandum from a London co-working bin sparked Learning Pool - a multi-million-pound edtech enterprise that helped kickstart the Northwest tech ecosystem.
She reflects on her pivot from enterprise founder to angel investor, managing a 45-company portfolio with five successful exits, including two on a single day.
Mary details the vital work of Awaken Hub and Awaken Angels in tackling the early-stage funding deficit for female founders, while offering strategic advice on scaling internationally, tapping into vibrant Irish-American investor networks, and sharpening sales execution.
To conclude, she explains why ambitious tech entrepreneurs must pursue rapid revenue growth rather than waiting on local government support to deliver results.
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