Barry Downes

Overview

Barry Downes is the Managing Partner of Sure Valley Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The firm focuses on sectors such as FinTech, Internet of Things (IoT), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR). Prior to founding Sure Valley Ventures, Barry co-founded FeedHenry, a mobile cloud technology company acquired by Red Hat in 2014. He also served as CEO of the Telecommunications Software and Systems Group (TSSG), a research institute specializing in advanced technology research. Barry holds an MBA from University College Dublin and a BSc in Applied Computing from Waterford Institute of Technology. He has over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, including roles at Smarttech247, Virtex, Volograms, Buymie, Getvisibility, and Ambisense. He is also a partner at Shard Capital AIFM and chairs its investment committee for venture capital and digital asset investments. Barry is an advisor to the European Commission’s European Innovation Council (EIC), focusing on developing Europe’s next unicorns. He has been featured in discussions on AI and technology investment trends, sharing insights on the growth potential of companies like Microsoft and Nvidia. Sure Valley Ventures has invested in companies such as Volograms, GetVisibility, CameraMatics, War Ducks, and Pluto Digital. The firm has secured funding from the British Business Bank and plans to invest in 25 software companies across metaverse and immersive technologies, software security, and artificial intelligence. Barry's extensive experience and strategic focus have positioned Sure Valley Ventures as a significant player in the early-stage technology investment landscape in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Investment Focus

• Early-stage technology companies in Ireland and the United Kingdom

Portfolio Companies