Conor O'Sullivan
Investment Director at Atlantic Bridge
Conor O'Sullivan
Investment Director at Atlantic Bridge
Dublin, County Dublin
Overview
Work Experience
Investment Director
2021 - Current
Atlantic Bridge is a global technology investment firm with over €1.3 billion of assets across eight funds, investing in deep tech companies in Europe and the U.S. Atlantic Bridge supports portfolio companies in scaling internationally with a global investment team and offices across Dublin, London, Palo Alto, Munich and Paris.
Vice President, Europe
2020 - 2021
Paladin Capital is a leading global cybersecurity investor, founded in 2001, with over $1 billion in committed capital across multiple funds. The firm is headquartered in Washington DC with offices in New York, Menlo Park, London and Luxembourg.
Investment Manager
2016 - 2020
Seraphim Space Fund is the world’s largest venture fund investing in space enabled companies, at a time of radical changes within the space industry. It is backed by smart capital from leading aerospace companies and is also supported by the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency and Satellite Applications Catapult. The fund invests in both software and hardware ‘NewSpace’ opportunities, along with technologies that are enabled by satellites such as drones and the Internet of Things, or that have potential application in the sector such as artificial intelligence, robotics and nanomaterials. • Seconded as the first Investment Analyst in the Fund given my strong aerospace corporate network and experience in evaluating and coaching start-ups and SMEs in the sector. • Managing the 1500+ p.a. dealflow, including origination and assessment of business plans and management teams. • Successfully completed due diligence and presentation of investment papers on 12 new investments of £1m-£3m. • Supporting portfolio companies through Board responsibilities. • Speaking at multiple events on behalf of the Fund.
Head of Business Strategy
2015 - 2018
Responsible for the Business Strategy Team's activities, including developing new business models and supporting the growth of start-ups and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the space sector. • Business plan development and market analysis. Working closely with technology teams to accelerate the take up of emerging technologies and prove new concepts and markets. • Start-up coaching - working with over 30 start-ups and (SMEs) to develop business plans and position businesses to raise finance. • Investor readiness training including pro forma financial models and presentations for investment funding. Supporting the growth of a finance network for space sector start-ups and SMEs. • Promoting the UK space sector through presentations, workshops and other networking events. Engaging the business school community to attract top talent to the space industry. • Project management - leading stakeholder engagement, including SMEs, academia, government and industry to deliver on project goals.
Business Innovation Associate
2014 - 2015
The Satellite Applications Catapult is a not-for-profit innovation company seeking to grow the UK space industry, especially those products and services utilising satellites and satellite derived data. It brings together skilled and aspiring researchers, technologists, and business experts to work alongside academic and industrial partners to create economic growth through the application of satellites. The organisation embraces an open and innovative culture, encouraging an ethos of knowledge exchange and community engagement, and is quickly becoming a world class centre of expertise in its field. • Working with entrepreneurs and SMEs to develop innovative new business models. Designing and leading business ‘sprints’, a support mechanism to advise and encourage the progression of high-potential ideas, evolving strong commercial business cases. • Experienced in strategy development - lead consultant for Welsh Government and Aerospace Wales on creating a space strategy for the devolved region. Successfully delivered a comprehensive review of Welsh space sector capabilities and developed recommendations to grow the sector and support the UK’s space Innovation and Growth Strategy (IGS). • Creating sector intelligence to understand new markets and support strategic initiatives including identifying opportunities for commercial innovation to support the growth of the UK space sector. • Co-lead for the IGS priority market report, “Low Cost Access to Space”. Jointly written with the UK Space Agency and commissioned by the UK Space Leadership Council. Extensive review and recommendations made into the market opportunity created by low cost access to space from the UK.
Due Diligence Intern
2015 - 2015
Space Angels Network is the largest community of space investors and entrepreneurs in the world. It is a global network for angel investors, offering insider access to the emerging private space industry and sophisticated investment opportunities across diverse market segments, with the expertise and network connections to cultivate stellar returns on investment. My role was to evaluate applicant companies and prepare summaries, ratings, and recommendations regarding start-ups seeking investment funding.
MBA 2014
2013 - 2014
Saïd Business School and Hertford College • Adviser to new UK start up, Dingo (www.dingoapp.co.uk), a peer to peer marketplace for buying and selling tickets to live events. Consulted on customer acquisition strategy for initial launch, including potential partnerships and customer segmentation. • Course Electives: Digital Marketing Strategy, Negotiations: Strategy and Practice, Business in China, Emerging Market Finance, Corporate Turnaround.
Intern Consultant
2014 - 2014
The UK Government has a firm ambition to establish a commercial spaceport by 2020 and take advantage of the growing small satellite launch market. UK Spaceport Feasibility Study: - Outline the business case for a commercial UK spaceport - Assess economic feasibility and appropriate capabilities for a spaceport - Produce a comprehensive report for multiple key stakeholders, including Government and Industry.
Associate, Prime Services
2011 - 2013
• Business Development - Proposed and led sales efforts to new and existing clients, generating additional revenue in excess of US$1.5m. Structured and executed a project plan to diversify the client base and develop additional strategic partnerships. • Fostered new relationships with electronic platform providers, leading to additional revenues of US$750k • Client Solutions - Managed regular projects and teams consisting of internal stakeholders across geographies and business areas including Sales, Operations and IT to build bespoke solutions for key clients. • Execution Trader - Successfully managed risk within a global FX trading book and facilitated client orders, along with three other team members, driving 1/3 of the business unit's revenue.
Analyst / Associate, Prime Services
2008 - 2011
• Customer Relationship Management - Acted as liaison between a team of operational analysts and the customer to integrate new accounts worth US$750k. Responsible for ongoing client relationship and customer experience. • Business Analysis - Proactively identified opportunities to reduce operational costs. Created and presented a detailed analysis to senior business managers resulting in significant operational savings of $1.4m. • Graduate Training - Successfully trained and mentored new graduates. Member of a panel of interviewers asked to select the best talent for summer internships.
Intern Analyst, Corporate Finance
2007 - 2007
• Corporate Finance Internship - UK Consumer, Retail and Healthcare Advisory Team. • Assisted Directors and Managing Directors in their daily discussions with clients, providing investor feedback and share price analysis. • Supported Associates and team Directors in new business pitches, carried out industry research and transaction analysis.