Industry Spotlight - What You Need to Know About Ai and Startups with Insights from Jerry Staple

AI is reshaping the startup landscape, but distinguishing genuine innovation from hype can be challenging. This session brings clarity to how AI is influencing business models, funding trends, and operational strategies across the startup ecosystem.

AI expert Jerry Staple will share grounded, real-world insights on the technologies, opportunitie,s and risks founders and investors need to understand today. Whether you’re building with AI, investing in AI companies, or simply trying to stay ahead of the curve, this session provides a practical, insider’s view.

What We’ll Cover

• How AI is transforming startup models and funding behaviour
• What investors look for in AI-focused startups
• Common misconceptions and red flags in the AI sector
• The biggest opportunities and risk areas in the current AI landscape

Speakers

Michael McDowell

Investor Commercial Lead, SeedLegals

Michael leads Investor Sales at SeedLegals and oversees operations in Ireland. With experience across property, energy, and scale-up growth, he has supported founders and investors throughout the UK and Ireland and works to make startup investing more accessible and effective.

Jerry Staple

Entrepreneur, Founder of Intrinsic AI

Jerry is an innovator with over 20 years of experience in AI, machine learning, data engineering, and emerging technologies. As the founder of Intrinsic AI, he helps organisations implement custom AI systems that enhance efficiency, scalability, and real-world performance.