Bonfire Chats #1 by LaunchLoop
Bonfire Chats #1: LaunchLoop's new founder speaker series. Two Irish founders share real startup stories. March 6, 6PM
We don't gather around fireside chats. We ignite bonfires that light up the entire community.
Date & Time: Friday, 6th March 2026 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Vibeworks, Dublin
ABOUT THE EVENT
You've heard of fireside chats. But this is the startup world, so we're turning the heat up. Welcome to Bonfire Chats, LaunchLoop's new in-person speaker series where we bring real founders to share real stories with real founders.
No polished keynotes. No slides. Just honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a company in Ireland.
For our first ever Bonfire Chat, we're sitting down with two founders who've been through the trenches and come out the other side with stories worth hearing.
Complimentary drinks will be provided throughout the evening.
SPEAKERS
Stuart Connolly | Co-Founder, Open Forest
Stuart spent over a decade as a corporate barrister at Ireland's top law firms, including Arthur Cox and William Fry. He traded the courtroom for the startup world when he co-founded Open Forest, a compliance operating system that helps founders get their companies registered, compliant, and ready to scale. After pivoting from an initial AI concept during the New Frontiers programme, Stuart spotted the real problem right in front of him: founders were struggling with the legal and compliance basics. Open Forest now has paying customers and is expanding into the UK.
Niall Dennehy | Founder & CEO, NestiFi
Niall is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded AID:Tech, a pioneering blockchain company that won the Irish Times Innovation Awards in 2018. A University of Galway graduate, he's now building NestiFi, an AI-powered platform that lets families and communities invest together in the next generation. Think of it as replacing old-school custodial accounts with a modern, collaborative approach to building wealth for kids. NestiFi is currently part of the AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme run by NovaUCD and CeADAR, and is raising a seed round.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Stuart and Niall will share their startup journeys, the lessons they've learned, the mistakes they've made, and everything they wish someone had told them earlier. After the conversation, we'll open up the floor for questions from the room. Come with something you want to ask.
This is a LaunchLoop members event, so expect a room full of founders who get it.
WHO'S THIS FOR?
- First-time founders figuring it out as they go
- Experienced founders who've seen it all (and want to see more)
- Anyone building something in Ireland and tired of generic startup advice
HOSTS
Bonfire Chats #1: LaunchLoop's new founder speaker series. Two Irish founders share real startup stories. March 6, 6PM
We don't gather around fireside chats. We ignite bonfires that light up the entire community.
Date & Time: Friday, 6th March 2026 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Vibeworks, Dublin
ABOUT THE EVENT
You've heard of fireside chats. But this is the startup world, so we're turning the heat up. Welcome to Bonfire Chats, LaunchLoop's new in-person speaker series where we bring real founders to share real stories with real founders.
No polished keynotes. No slides. Just honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a company in Ireland.
For our first ever Bonfire Chat, we're sitting down with two founders who've been through the trenches and come out the other side with stories worth hearing.
Complimentary drinks will be provided throughout the evening.
SPEAKERS
Stuart Connolly | Co-Founder, Open Forest
Stuart spent over a decade as a corporate barrister at Ireland's top law firms, including Arthur Cox and William Fry. He traded the courtroom for the startup world when he co-founded Open Forest, a compliance operating system that helps founders get their companies registered, compliant, and ready to scale. After pivoting from an initial AI concept during the New Frontiers programme, Stuart spotted the real problem right in front of him: founders were struggling with the legal and compliance basics. Open Forest now has paying customers and is expanding into the UK.
Niall Dennehy | Founder & CEO, NestiFi
Niall is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded AID:Tech, a pioneering blockchain company that won the Irish Times Innovation Awards in 2018. A University of Galway graduate, he's now building NestiFi, an AI-powered platform that lets families and communities invest together in the next generation. Think of it as replacing old-school custodial accounts with a modern, collaborative approach to building wealth for kids. NestiFi is currently part of the AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme run by NovaUCD and CeADAR, and is raising a seed round.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Stuart and Niall will share their startup journeys, the lessons they've learned, the mistakes they've made, and everything they wish someone had told them earlier. After the conversation, we'll open up the floor for questions from the room. Come with something you want to ask.
This is a LaunchLoop members event, so expect a room full of founders who get it.
WHO'S THIS FOR?
- First-time founders figuring it out as they go
- Experienced founders who've seen it all (and want to see more)
- Anyone building something in Ireland and tired of generic startup advice
HOSTS
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 hours
- In person
Location
Echofold AI
Unit 1
Richview Business Park D14 W6X6 Clonskeagh
How do you want to get there?
