Brendan O’Brien

Brendan is a distinguished technology executive, serial entrepreneur, and board chairperson with a 25+ year track record of founding, scaling, and successfully exiting high-growth technology enterprises. A multi-time CEO with three successful corporate exits—including strategic IP spinouts and a major acquisition by Cisco—he has also directed international business units and global software sales for industry leaders such as Cisco, and has held senior roles at Accenture, and IBM.

Operating at the intersection of enterprise strategy and innovation ecosystems, Brendan specialises in commercialising advanced technologies across IoT, fintech, health, biotech, IT services, and the future of trust. Alongside his executive leadership, he brings deep expertise in strategic M&A and venture building, advising high-growth firms on scaling operations and unlocking enterprise value.

Deeply committed to corporate governance and public leadership, Brendan has served on high-profile governance bodies, including Cisco’s Founders Board, and currently chairs the Board of Special Olympics Ireland.

Services & Specialism

• Executive Leadership & Corporate Strategy: Multi-time CEO and board chairperson experience, scaling technology companies from inception through successful trade sales and international expansion.
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Deep expertise on both the buy-side and sell-side of software and tech acquisitions, including leadership roles with Cisco and Corum Group International.
• Broad Technology & Innovation Ecosystems: Pioneering business units and venture-building initiatives spanning AI, IoT, advanced analytics, Fintech, Medtech and advanced solutions across the broader tech sector.
• Academic & Innovation Mentorship: Adjunct professorship and lecturing experience for international programs at University College Dublin (UCD) Graduate School of Business and MIT Sloan, actively mentoring both tech startups and graduate students.

Qualifications & Background

• Ph.D. in Business Decision Making: University College Dublin
• Master of Management Science (MMgtSc): University College Dublin
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering: Trinity College Dublin
• Postgraduate Diploma in International Sales: Technological University Dublin