The many forms and uses of AI have garnered a lot of hype over the last 18 months. While there is much uncertainty as to the more extreme ramifications of the technology, the fact is that AI is being used and will continue to be deployed by successful businesses. So how can companies, their advisors and investors capitalise on AI? How and when should they use it themselves and how can they judge when it is being used effectively by others? This event will bring together a panel of experts to discuss AI and what it means for small cap companies and the wider small cap ecosystem.

Evening Schedule

5pm: Arrival
5.45pm: Panel Discussion
6.45pm: Drinks
8pm: Close

Speakers:

Brian Kinane, Founding Partner, Sure Valley Ventures

Brian Kinane is an experienced entrepreneur, technology investor and computer scientist. He has extensive experience managing funds and investment vehicles that invest in high-growth software startups in AI, Cybersecurity, IoT, Immersive Technologies and Web 3.0.

Brian is a Co-founder and the Founding Partner of Sure Valley Ventures. Previously, he was a founding shareholder and director of FeedHenry, a leader in mobile cloud technologies, which sold to Red Hat/ IBM in 2014. Brian is also Founder of the Riverfort group where he has long term experience of special situations investment and venture debt investment into private and publicly traded companies.  From a corporate perspective, Brian has worked as both an industry executive and entrepreneur in the technology sector, including roles at global telecoms companies such as Ericsson group and Telenor group.

Sure Valley Ventures (SVV) is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage AI software companies in the UK and Ireland. Investing in AI since the firm’s inception in 2017, SVV has a strong track record of accelerating the growth of private AI companies. Led by a team of founders and technology experts, SVV has launched three funds to date backed by the British Business Bank and Enterprise Ireland.

Dan Ridsdale, Head of Technology, Edison Group

Dan is the head of Edison’s technology, media and telecoms team. He has over 20 years’ experience covering the technology and telecoms industries. Prior to Edison, he worked an a variety of equity research and corporate finance roles at firms including Singer Capital Markets, Teathers, Bridgewell, RW Baird and Nomura. Before this he advised on emerging trends in technology as a market analyst at Ovum, having started his career in the telecommunications software industry.

Christopher Cork – Partner, Co-Head of Transaction Advisory Services

Chris works with high growth businesses, primarily in the technology and media sectors, on both audit and transaction advisory engagements.

Chris specialises in corporate reporting assignments, including statutory audit and reporting accountant roles. More broadly, his transaction advisory expertise also covers due diligence, financial modelling and accounting standards transition projects.

Chris’s clients are typically investor backed and his portfolio comprises several AIM-listed and private equity backed groups. This makes Chris ideally placed to work with clients throughout their growth trajectory as they encounter the challenges of an increasing complex financial reporting environment.

Chris is an active member of our international desks services and focuses on North America, where many of his clients have subsidiary operations or report to a parent company. He is also a regular contributor to our MSI Global Alliance’s special interest groups on audit and M&A.

Away from his client work, in September 2021 Chris was placed 13th in Accountancy Age’s 35 under 35. He is also a regular speaker at events focused on scale up businesses such as the London Stock Exchange’s Elite programme and The ScaleUp Accelerator.

Niall Pearson Director, Head Of Corporate Broking & Sales Hybridan LLP