150-strong EY Entrepreneur Of The Year delegation embarks on Canada visit focused on leadership, global growth and trade ties.
A delegation of 150 of Ireland’s leading entrepreneurs has travelled to Toronto this week as part of the 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year CEO Retreat, one of the most significant annual gatherings for the Irish business community overseas.
No doubt, for many participants the Toronto retreat represents both a milestone and a springboard. It offers the chance to reflect on their own leadership journeys while building connections that can support future growth well beyond Ireland’s borders.
“The CEO Retreat is one of the most important and impactful elements of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme”
The retreat, which began on Sunday 10 May and runs until Saturday 16 May, brings together this year’s EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists alongside alumni from across the island of Ireland. In total, 31 finalist entrepreneurs representing 24 companies are taking part, joined by established founders, senior business leaders and representatives from Enterprise Ireland, Invest Northern Ireland and Julius Baer International.
Peer-to-peer engagement
Now in its latest edition, the CEO Retreat is regarded as a cornerstone of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme. It is designed to give entrepreneurs space away from daily operational pressures, while offering high-level executive education, leadership development and meaningful peer-to-peer engagement.
Toronto has been selected as the host city for 2026, reflecting its status as a major international business centre with strengths spanning financial services, technology and innovation. Over the course of the week, the Irish delegation will engage directly with Canada’s business and academic communities through a packed programme that combines strategic insight with cultural exchange.
Planned highlights include visits to Microsoft Canada’s Innovation Hub, the Toronto Stock Exchange, EY Canada and leadership workshops at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Delegates will also spend time in the MaRS Discovery District and the Globe & Mail Centre, gaining insights into Canada’s fast-growing innovation and media ecosystems. Alongside formal sessions, the programme places a strong emphasis on informal networking with Canadian entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders.
The retreat also reflects ongoing efforts by Ireland and Canada to deepen bilateral economic cooperation. With Ireland’s entrepreneurs increasingly focused on international expansion and trade diversification, Canada’s large, open economy and strong innovation pipeline make it an attractive market. The two countries also share longstanding economic and cultural links, underpinned by more than 180 years of migration and commercial exchange.
The power of relationships
Roger Wallace, head of Assurance and EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland, said the retreat plays a central role in the wider programme’s impact on Irish businesses.
“The CEO Retreat is one of the most important and impactful elements of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme,” he said. “Each year, we bring together a group of exceptional entrepreneurs and provide them with the opportunity to step away from their day-to-day businesses, broaden their perspective and build meaningful, lasting connections.”
He noted that Toronto offers a particularly strong learning environment for founders looking to scale internationally.
“Toronto is a world-class business city, known for its leadership in financial services, technology and innovation. It offers our entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to engage with global leaders, explore new markets and deepen their understanding of one of the most dynamic economies in North America,” Wallace said.
Beyond the structured business agenda, Wallace emphasised the importance of the relationships formed during the week.
“Beyond the business programme, the retreat is also about connection. It is a time for our entrepreneurs to learn from one another, challenge their thinking and develop relationships that often translate into long-term collaboration. We hope this experience will inspire new ideas, partnerships and ambition for this outstanding group of entrepreneurs.”
Since its launch, the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme in Ireland has grown into a sizeable and influential business network. The alumni community now includes more than 680 entrepreneurs, with around three quarters actively doing business with one another. Collectively, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni generate more than €28 billion in annual revenues and employ over 275,000 people across the island of Ireland.
The 2026 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists are:
| Emerging | Established | International |
| Aoife Matthews, Jennifer O’Connell & Louise O’Riordan of SISTERLY | Tommy Kearns of Xtremepush | Brian Moloney of StormHarvester |
| Bobby Healy of Manna Air Delivery | John Corley of Spanish Point Technologies | Chris Horgan of Dexgreen |
| Brian Shields of Neurent Medical | John Lunn of Lunn’s | David Brennan of Eastgate Engineering |
| Danny Buckley of ADHDNow | Karl Zimmerer of Glanua | Dermot O’Shea of Taoglas |
| Dr Harriet Treacy of Beyondbmi | Oltian Dervishi of Forte Pespa | Ian Morgan and Sanjay Abraham of XPress Health |
| Jennifer Rock of skingredients Ltd | Paul Vallely & Clare Walsh of Kukoon | Maire Claire Reid of TST Group |
| Laura McCarthy of Drink Botanicals Ireland | Robin Jones of Golden Bake | Paul, Gary & Mike Martin of Martin Group |
| Liam Kearney of The Revive Group | Trevor Casey of EPH Controls | Ronan & Conor Burke of Inscribe |
Top image: Members of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ireland delegation outside a Toronto landmark during the 2026 CEO Retreat.
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