Winners of Irish Investor Awards announced

Leaders from across the finance industry gathered at the 2025 Irish Investor Awards, in association with Forvis Mazars, held on May 9th at the Round Room of The Mansion House, Dublin, to honour and celebrate outstanding achievements in private equity and venture capital investment.

The event was hosted by Irish broadcaster Anton Savage, with keynote speeches delivered by Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Jack Chambers and Tom O’Brien, Managing Partner at Forvis Mazars. Both speakers praised the calibre of this year’s finalists and highlighted the growing significance of the Irish Investor Awards as a landmark event in the investment calendar.

John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner, Forvis Mazars in Ireland. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Tom O’Brien, Managing Partner & Head of Financial Advisory, Forvis Mazars in Ireland. Photograph: Paul Sherwood

Minister Jack Chambers's opening speech. Photograph: Corporate Photographers Dublin

Winners and finalists were selected by a distinguished panel of 22 judges, comprising some of the most respected and recognisable figures in the financial sector.

Peter Davy from Bank of Ireland, who took home the Debt Funding Deal of the Year > €10M award, said: “Delighted to accept this award on behalf of my great team and of course funding a great business in Mail Metrics with a great partner in MLL.”

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Other attendees in the room, such as Patrick Flynn, said: “Congrats to Johnny Dunne on winning Irish Investor Awards Deal of the year (Sub €2.5 million) for SME Equity investment in Customs Window Technologies.”

Andre Bourg, from Development Capital, who took home the Deal of the Year (€2.5M- €10M) award, said they had “the honour of attending the Irish Investor Awards at the Mansion House. Like last year, it was a wonderful evening dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Ireland’s venture capital and private equity community.”

“We extend our sincerest gratitude to the esteemed panel of judges for their dedication and expertise in evaluating this year’s submissions,” said Jill Thornton, Event Coordinator of the Irish Investor Awards. “Their rigorous assessment process has ensured that only the most deserving winners have been selected, reflecting the highest standards of achievement and innovation in private equity and venture capital investment.”

The 2025 Irish Investor Awards were supported by sponsors, including Duport Capital, Development Capital, The Business Post, Byrne Wallace Shields, Whelehans Wines and headline sponsor and hosts Forvis Mazars.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Denis O’Brien, founder of Communicorp, Esat Telecom and Digicel, in recognition of his remarkable contributions to the telecommunications industry and his broader impact on global business.

Tom O’Brien, Managing Partner & Head of Financial Advisory, Forvis Mazars in Ireland; Denis O’Brien, Founder of Digicel and Communicorp; and John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner, Forvis
Mazars in Ireland. Photograph: Corporate Photographers Dublin — Tom O’Brien, Managing Partner & Head of Financial Advisory, Forvis Mazars in Ireland; Denis O’Brien, Founder of Digicel and Communicorp; and John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner, Forvis Mazars in Ireland. Photograph: Corporate Photographers Dublin

“Forvis Mazars is honoured to celebrate individuals and firms who are shaping the future of investment in Ireland,” said John Bowe, Corporate Finance Partner at Forvis Mazars. “We’re particularly proud to recognise Denis O’Brien’s enduring legacy through the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

As the event concluded, the Irish Investor Awards in just its second year has already cemented its reputation as a landmark event within Ireland’s financial calendar. With record participation and an ever-expanding pool of high-quality submissions the awards continue to provide a distinguished platform for showcasing the individuals and firms driving innovation, growth and excellence across the investment community.