NI ❤️ Elkstone: The All Island Fund

​If you're building a startup in Northern Ireland, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

​Elkstone — one of Ireland's most active and longest-standing venture firms — has launched Fund II, and for the first time, Northern Irish companies are firmly in the crosshairs. This isn't a courtesy visit. Their investment thesis is explicitly all-island, and they're actively looking for the best founders in both north and south. They can invest in you. Today!

​We're bringing their team to Belfast to meet founders directly. No pitching, no pressure — just an honest conversation about what they back, how they think, and whether there's a fit.

We are doing this though a Founder lens. Matt Conlon, founder and CEO of Cytidel, has raised multiple rounds of capital and counts Elkstone as one of his investors. In this closed door session he'll answer questions on raising capital, working with investors, closing a deal and much more.

​What you need to know about Elkstone:

• ​Active since 2011, with 70+ portfolio companies and three unicorns

• ​Backed companies that have collectively raised over €1 billion in follow-on funding

• ​Fund II targets early-stage through Series A — so whether you're raising your first round or scaling, this is relevant

• ​EIIS tax relief available for investors (helpful context if you're thinking about your own raise)

​Who should come:

• ​Founders building businesses at pre-seed, seed, or Series A

• ​Startups with ambition to scale internationally while staying rooted in Northern Ireland

• ​Anyone wanting to understand how all-island venture capital actually works in practice

​Format: Short introduction from the Elkstone team, followed by conversation with Matt Conlon, Q&A and informal networking.