Forvis Mazars partners with AxisBIC to support entrepreneurs

Taking place at Ballymaloe House, Co. Cork on 16–17 October, the Entrepreneur Experience brings together 24 emerging entrepreneurs with 30 experienced Irish business leaders for 36 hours of mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and practical business advice.

Established in 2011, the programme provides founders with an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day demands of running their businesses and openly explore the challenges and opportunities they face with entrepreneurs who have successfully built, scaled and exited businesses themselves.

More than 350 businesses have participated in the Entrepreneur Experience since it began, with alumni businesses going on to raise more than €500 million.

Supporting entrepreneurship and regional growth

Forvis Mazars’ partnership reflects the firm’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses and the wider SME community, particularly across the South and Mid-West.

With offices in Cork and Limerick as part of its national presence, Forvis Mazars works with businesses at different stages of their development, supporting them as they navigate growth, investment and increasingly complex business environments.

David Swinburne, Partner at Forvis Mazars in Cork, said: “We are delighted to support AxisBIC and the Entrepreneur Experience. Entrepreneurs and ambitious owner-managed businesses are fundamental to the strength of Ireland’s SME sector and to continued economic growth across the South and Mid-West.

“At Forvis Mazars, we see first-hand the ambition that exists across the region and the opportunities that can be unlocked when growing businesses have access to the right expertise, advice and networks. The Entrepreneur Experience creates a unique environment where emerging entrepreneurs can learn from people who have faced many of the same challenges and opportunities themselves.

“We are very pleased to play a part in supporting that next generation of entrepreneurs as they build, scale and realise their ambitions.”

Larry O’Donoghue, CEO, AxisBIC commented on the announcement: “We are delighted to welcome Forvis Mazars as a new partner of The Entrepreneur Experience™. The strength of the programme has always been the people and organisations who believe in supporting ambitious entrepreneurs and are willing to share their experience, expertise and networks. Forvis Mazars shares that commitment, and we look forward to working with them to make the 2026 Entrepreneur Experience another impactful and memorable event for our Emerging Entrepreneurs.”

The Entrepreneur Experience is designed around practical engagement rather than traditional conference presentations. Participants receive direct mentoring, peer-to-peer learning and real-world feedback in an informal environment where conversations are open, honest and focused on the challenges of growing a business.

Through the partnership, Forvis Mazars will also have the opportunity to contribute its expertise and experience to the programme and engage directly with entrepreneurs and the wider business community.

The 2026 Entrepreneur Experience takes place at Ballymaloe House, Co. Cork on 16 – 17 October.