Our Purpose

The Foundation has a simple purpose: to transform the lives of thousands of young people in Northern Ireland — especially those from deprived areas. 

By engaging the Irish American diaspora and US businesses with interests in Northern Ireland, the Foundation aims to raise over $250,000 annually through philanthropic support, which would begin to unlock the potential of 1,000 young people each year and provide potentially life-changing opportunities.

The Foundation has a particular interest in helping young people in more economically deprived areas where young people can be given confidence, encouraged to aim high, taught resilience, problem-solving, and risk-taking, and become empowered to create their own opportunities.

We empower young people to see entrepreneurship as a viable path to success, building confidence and essential skills in problem-solving, communication, financial literacy, and digital innovation.

We connect young people with entrepreneurs, business leaders and mentors who inspire them to aim higher.

The Foundation will continue to develop cross-border business ties and deeper engagement with the US entrepreneurial community will help create a vibrant, supportive environment of aspiring Irish entrepreneurs and connect with leading business networks, legacy builders and the entrepreneurial and business start-up ecosystem in America.

With your support, we can empower the next generations of young people, break down economic barriers, transform lives and contribute to lasting peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland.

Friends of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland Foundation is a non-profit corporation with public charity 501(c)(3) status in the United States

Contact ciaran@entrepreneurs-ni.com to find out more.

Building an entrepreneurial economy in Northern Ireland 

Ciaran Sheehan (President)

Previously the Chair of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland.   Ciaran is an entrepreneur with several successful companies including Clarendon Executive.  Ciaran has strong international networks with Irish ex-Pats at C Level.  

Declan Breslin (Treasurer)

Declan is the treasurer of the Foundation, and has recently returned to NI with his family, following a successful career with JP Morgan in New York (Global Head of Client Service).  

Dan Delaney

Dan is CEO of the Delaney Policy Group which specializes in lobbying and advocacy.  Dan has been a longtime supporter of the Foundation.  He is a US citizen based in Boston. 

Kathryn Ellis 

Kathryn is the Director of the Innovation Institute (UMII) at the University of Massachusetts near Boston and has supported the alumni visits over recent years and is extremely well-connected. 

Matthew Bain

Matthew is a Young Enterprise alumni member. As the son of a local entrepreneur in Northern Ireland, he has always been interested in business. Matthew is currently living and working in London in Venture capital. 

Tony McManus 

Tony runs the global Enterprise Data business at Bloomberg LP and while he is from Belfast, he is based in New York.   He is well connected and has been a very active supporter of the Foundation, including hosting visits which appear to have been a highlight 

Kevin Roland 

Kevin is a Managing Director within Teneo, a Global CEO advisory Firm.  Kevin is a US national but lives with his family in Galway.  He has been a great supporter of the work we do.  

Sean P Moynihan
(Attorney to Board)

Sean is the Founder and Principal of The Moynihan Group. Sean is past President of Irish Network Boston (IN Boston) and is currently Vice President of Irish Network USA. Sean helped establish the Foundation and supports the Foundation on its compliance and governance. 

Friends of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland Foundation is a non-profit corporation with public charity 501(c)(3) status in the United States