@KFegan

Commercialising research and deep tech | Customer discovery, market validation and funding readiness.

 Ireland
vara.ie/
Joined March 2009
  • Tweets5.9K
  • Following5.7K
  • Followers2K
71Media
Kieran Fegan retweeted
Brick Suit
@Brick_SuitAug 13
This skateboard trick may never be eclipsed. Danny León, a Spanish Olympic skateboarder, set up this shot and landed it during today's eclipse in Spain. Perfect planning!
542
7,880
547
61,961
2,465,194
Kieran Fegan retweeted
Ole Lehmann
@itsolelehmannJul 30
should be obvious by now, but OpenAI and Anthropic are just gonna keep cannibalizing all their biggest customers. it’s simply too profitable for them to resist. and it’s already happening: 1. Figma partnered with Anthropic on AI design tools. then Anthropic’s product chief quit Figma’s board, and 3 days later Anthropic launched Claude Design to compete with Figma. CEO Dylan Field said Anthropic was “not consistently candid.” 2. Novo Nordisk uses Claude to help develop drugs. now Anthropic is developing drugs of its own. 3. Microsoft poured billions into OpenAI. now OpenAI is building a Jobs Platform to compete with LinkedIn, and reportedly a code repository to compete with GitHub. Microsoft owns both. 4. Harvey uses Claude to sell AI contract analysis, due diligence, and litigation tools. now Anthropic sells those same workflows through Claude for Legal. 5. Intercom used OpenAI’s Realtime API to build Fin Voice. now OpenAI sells its own voice-and-chat support agent through Presence. 6. Abridge and Ambience build clinical documentation products on OpenAI. now OpenAI sells ChatGPT for Healthcare directly to hospitals with clinical documentation built in. 7. Benchling uses Claude to power its biotech R&D platform. now Anthropic sells its own scientific workbench through Claude Science. the frontier lab playbook is simple: 1. sell their models to the world’s most valuable businesses 2. help wire them into those companies’ most valuable and sensitive work 3. map the business from the inside and find where AI can take over 4. turn those capabilities into their own products and become the customer’s competitor
Chamath Palihapitiya
@chamathJul 2
It’s well within Anthropic’s rights to compete in any market they choose. What’s funny, in this instance, are the number of Pharma companies, who through their unchecked use of Anthropic, are driving revenues into what they think is a model provider but is in fact a competitor lurking in the shadows thereby accelerating their own demise. I suspect any end market with reasonable ROCE that could be AI accelerated is on the table. If I were them, I’d probably do the same.
288
1,169
236
7,367
799,186
We see the tower of Jesus Christ illuminated for the first time! The light show, starting from the base up to the illumination of the cross, culminated with a composition of lights guided by drones that traced the figure of Gaudí and the phrase “first love, then technique”.
853
7,490
620
43,688
4,072,974
🚀 New @VARAInnovation website VARA Innovation Specialists | Research Commercialisation & Customer Discovery vara.ie/

VARA Innovation Specialists | Research Commercialisation & Customer Discovery

VARA works with university research teams, deep tech founders and TTOs to translate technical research into commercially viable opportunities.

vara.ie
1
1
122
RUN InnoBoost is a European project funded by the EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI), part of EIT Food. It empowers universities to lead innovation, strengthen regional ecosystems, and turn ideas into real-world impact. Please visit the website: innoboost.eu/
1
2
431
Kieran Fegan retweeted
Pope Leo XIV
@PontifexApr 16
Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth. #ApostolicJourney #Cameroon vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/e…
21,685
72,477
6,258
374,171
10,909,202
Outstanding few weeks for several @VARAInnovation client teams 🚀 @TCD_Innovation @tus_rdi and @Galway_Research - having secured major competitive funding to advance their technologies towards real-world application 👏 linkedin.com/posts/innovatio…

#innovation #commercialisation #researchimpact #technologytransfer #enterpriseireland #researchir...

Outstanding few weeks for several VARA Innovation Specialists client teams 🚀 Following intensive customer discovery / market validation and commercialisation pathway support, research groups at...

linkedin.com
1
2
229
Kieran Fegan retweeted
Massimo
@Rainmaker1973Mar 15
Germany has unveiled a revolutionary salt-air battery that could transform global energy storage. Instead of relying on lithium — a costly, finite, and environmentally challenging resource — this technology uses salt, air, and carbon to create a long-lasting, stable battery with a lifespan measured in decades, not years. The battery works by converting chemical energy into electricity using a reaction between salt and oxygen. Unlike lithium-ion systems, it doesn’t overheat, doesn’t require rare-earth elements, and is nearly 100% recyclable. It also stores energy at a lower cost, making it ideal for large-scale renewable grids. If deployed globally, salt-air batteries could make solar and wind power more reliable by storing energy even during long cloudy winters or calm wind periods. It’s a reminder that nature’s simplest materials — salt and air — may hold the key to humanity’s clean-energy future.
206
1,437
166
4,313
298,383
Real allies owe each other mutual support in times of struggle, but not blind obedience down a reckless path. War is not the answer. economist.com/by-invitation/…

Pedro Sánchez: No to war

It is naive to think that escalating conflict in Iran will lead to anything good, writes Spain’s prime minister

economist.com
3,243
8,646
461
45,051
1,060,886
Kieran Fegan retweeted
Benny Johnson
@bennyjohnsonJan 10
If you’re a parent, watch this. It will stick with you forever.
484
3,992
387
22,564
3,683,348
We are an over-medicated country. 80-90% of what doctors see each day is in some way related to our collective modern lifestyles - yet, most of the options you get given by your doctor relate to pharmaceutical medication. WE WILL NOT OUT-PRESCRIBE OUR WAY OUT OF THE CURRENT HEALTHCARE CRISIS - THERE HAS TO BE (AND THERE IS!!) ANOTHER WAY. The number of prescriptions that we give out as doctors has increased by over 80 per cent in the last 20 years. And the uncomfortable truth is that a lot of the pills are simply not working. This Thursday on @Channel4 at 8pm my new 1 hour prime time documentary ‘Live Well With The Drug Free Doctor’ comes out. It is a deep dive into the healthcare crisis and I show how in 3 different conditions, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain & depression, it is possibly to completely heal without the use of medication. Our lifestyles can be our very best medicine. That is what my entire public facing career is all about and I cannot wait for the British public to watch the show this Thursday evening at 8pm. Let me know your thoughts below 👇🏾
63
141
28
546
77,528
Kieran Fegan retweeted
Teagasc@teagasc4 Nov 2025
Teagasc has brought together industry and researchers to hear how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could shape the future of the food industry, at the Teagasc Food Innovation Gateway event. Find out more bit.ly/3XfzMMQ @TeagascFood
Pictured at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork are Dr Norah O'Shea, Senior Research Officer Food Chemistry and Technology Department Teagasc, Prof Mark Fenelon, Teagasc Head of Food Research Programme, Timmy Dooley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairman and Dr Siobhán Jordan, Teagasc Head of the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

ALT Pictured at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork are Dr Norah O'Shea, Senior Research Officer Food Chemistry and Technology Department Teagasc, Prof Mark Fenelon, Teagasc Head of Food Research Programme, Timmy Dooley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairman and Dr Siobhán Jordan, Teagasc Head of the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

Pictured at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork are speakers Dr Norah O'Shea, Senior Research Officer Food Chemistry and Technology Department Teagasc, Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairman, Prof Mark Fenelon, Teagasc Head of Food Research Programme, Timmy Dooley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Prof Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director and Dr Siobhán Jordan, Teagasc Head of the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

ALT Pictured at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork are speakers Dr Norah O'Shea, Senior Research Officer Food Chemistry and Technology Department Teagasc, Liam Herlihy, Teagasc Chairman, Prof Mark Fenelon, Teagasc Head of Food Research Programme, Timmy Dooley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Prof Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director and Dr Siobhán Jordan, Teagasc Head of the Technology Transfer and Commercialisation. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

Pictured at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork are speakers Prof Barry O'Sullivan, UCC, Sarah Bolmer, Vice President Triplebar, Timmy Dooley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Prof Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director, Prof Alex Shenfield, Sheffield Hallam University and Paul Pierotti, Ernst and Young. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

ALT Pictured at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork are speakers Prof Barry O'Sullivan, UCC, Sarah Bolmer, Vice President Triplebar, Timmy Dooley T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Prof Frank O'Mara, Teagasc Director, Prof Alex Shenfield, Sheffield Hallam University and Paul Pierotti, Ernst and Young. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

A section of the attendance at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

ALT A section of the attendance at the Smarter Food: How artificial intelligence is shaping the future of Irelands' food industry in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Picture: O'Gorman Photography.

1
3
3
1,190
Kieran Fegan retweeted
Camus
@newstart_20244 Nov 2025
The surgeon didn’t hold back. When asked what someone should eat to end up on his operating table, he laid it out clearly: live on processed foods. Wheat-based junk, biscuits, cookies, fast food, protein bars loaded with chemicals, anything that comes sealed in plastic. Add in diet sodas, artificial sweeteners, and a steady stream of sugary drinks — even juice, which spikes blood sugar and drives hunger hours later. His conclusion was sharp: stop eating real food, and you’ll make it to his surgery room sooner than you think. A brutal truth about how the modern diet manufactures disease.
29
302
13
1,422
310,910
A mounting body of scientific evidence shows that many commonly used prescription and over-the-counter medications are associated with memory loss. Read more in the link bit.ly/4dAWZ3r #memoryloss #amenclinics
5
4
1,121
Congratulations Daniel and colleagues 👏🏻
AMBER@ambercentre22 Sep 2025
AMBER Researchers Dr Seamus O'Shaughnessy & Dr Daniel Trimble win the National Challenge Fund prize in the 2050 Challenge for ‘DRIVE’ – Improving thermal management of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles increasing battery performance & lifespan ambercentre.ie/amber-researc…
1
1
707
What he says 👇
Dr Paddy Barrett@Paddy_Barrett6 Sep 2025
As a cardiologist, I've seen thousands of patients over the years. Here are the 5 things I recommend to every patient I see. 📕Make Sure To Bookmark✅
1
819
Huge congratulations to @VARAInnovation client @JoinDigiAcademy on winning the Social Impact Award at the Association and Institute Awards 2025! linkedin.com/feed/update/urn…

#socialimpact #inclusiveinnovation #digitalinclusion #digiacademy #assocawardsirl #purposedrivent...

🏆 Huge congratulations to VARA Innovation Specialists client DigiAcademy Technology on winning the Social Impact Award at the Association and Institute Awards 2025! Incredible recognition for the...

linkedin.com
1
2
444
🧭 Delighted to have kicked off @Student_Inc_ie 2025 at Munster Technological University with a workshop on Customer Discovery this week! It was a pleasure to work with such a driven group of student entrepreneurs from @MTU_ie and @UCC linkedin.com/posts/mtu-stude…?

#studentinc #entrepreneur | MTU Student Hub for Entrepreneurial Development

Welcome, Munster Technological University Student Inc. 2025 participants! 🎉 Week one is coming to a close, and what an exciting start to the programme it has been for our student entrepreneurs...

linkedin.com
1
1
253
🎾 A new challenge from Tennis Ireland is coming — as part of our Digital for Sport initiative! Launching June 5th, 11am–12pm 🔗 Want to know more? Visit: theinnovationexchange.ie #DigitalForSport #IrishInnovation #TennisIreland #InnovationChallenge #SportTech
1
2
216
👏
TU Dublin Research-Innovation / Taighde-Nuálaíocht@TUDublin_RI29 Apr 2025
On #WorldIPDay, we are celebrating the impact of @TUDublin_RI #TUDublinInnovation: 🎶 261+ LOAs 🚀 49+ Spinouts 🤝 650+ Industry projects 📝 672+ IDFs 📄 158+ Patents filed 🏆 21+ Patents granted Learn more: bit.ly/4d2UAi0 #EUinMyRegion @WeAreTUDublin @KTIconnect
World IP Day 2025 Banner

ALT World IP Day 2025 Banner

1
339
Load more