The New Roots Honours & Exchange · Edition 2026
Where ambition takes roots. A day recognising businesses building between Ireland and Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, in both directions.
The event
Tuesday 24 November 2026 · The Dean, Marshall Room · 33 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. Reception from 09:00, seated programme from 09:30, lunch at 13:00, close at 14:00. Dublin time, UTC+0. Business attire. Attendance by invitation.
The exchange
Ambition moves in both directions. Ireland is a gateway to the European Union. Businesses, knowledge and opportunity connect Ireland and the EU with the corridor regions, in both directions.
Why this room exists
Businesses cross this corridor every year. The Honours & Exchange makes their practical experience visible and turns lessons on markets, partners, execution, adaptation and governance into knowledge for the next Builder. Those lessons feed Immersion cohorts and other pathways.
The Day
The Crossings: journeys shared from both sides. With Barry Brennan · Elkstone; João Marcelo Costa Melo · Embassy of Brazil to Ireland; and Shari Small · Embassy of South Africa to Ireland. The Corridors: tables at work on Technology, Financial Services and Professional Services across the corridor regions. The Honours: names revealed in the room. Keynotes: Senator Aubrey McCarthy, Seanad Éireann; Catherine Campbell, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Honorary Consul Barry O’Brien, Jamaica's Honorary Consul to Ireland and former CEO of Digicel in Jamaica and the Caribbean.
Opening keynote: Senator Aubrey McCarthy: “The people who call this island home”, 09:32, eight minutes.
09:40 · A Mission’s Word, after the opening keynote and before The Crossings. With H.E. Betty Escorcia Baquero · Embassy of Colombia to Ireland.
Catherine Campbell: “Ireland’s vision for Latin America and the Caribbean”.
Closing keynote: Honorary Consul Barry O’Brien: “From Ireland to Jamaica and Beyond: Lessons from Building Businesses Across the Caribbean”, 12:45, eight minutes.
The Calibre Register, the shortlist, is read in full in the room before the Honours are conferred.
Three Fields. Four Honours.
Technology, Financial Services and Professional Services. Recognition in the Field for the strongest business in each.
The Newcomer: early years in a new market, strong first results. The Explorer: a business that has built in Ireland and the EU from a corridor market. The Pathfinder: an Irish business or Irish-connected Builder that has built in a corridor market. The Community Champion: the one who lifts everyone.
A business may receive recognition in its Field and one Honour. Recognition is conferred only when the standard is met. The Calibre Register comprises shortlisted businesses; inclusion does not imply an Honour.
Scope and assessment
A business qualifies through its connection to the corridor: a business from Africa, Latin America or the Caribbean building in Ireland; an Irish business building in one of those markets; or a business on either side led by Builders connected to the other through heritage, including returning diaspora and second generation. The connection determines scope and is not scored.
The Crossing assesses real, durable cross-market activity: customers, partners and a team, not intention. The Craft assesses quality, innovation and a responsible local model; Financial Services and FinTech also require responsible customer treatment and the right regulatory standing. The Calibre assesses achieved results relative to size, resources and time in market. The Contribution assesses benefit to others on either side. Growth potential counts when it builds on achieved results.
Missions, associations and partners nominate. There is no public self-entry. An independent panel assesses nominated businesses against the published criteria; missions, agencies and partners advise and do not vote on panel decisions. Recognition is neither entered nor sponsored.
Across regions. On equal terms.
A shared conversation across enterprise, foreign affairs and business.
The exchange brings together perspectives from Ireland, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Any advisory input is separate from the independent panel’s decisions.
Experience Partner: Dine with Lelo. Media Partner: Claire Mason.
Organised by i13 Ventures.
Requests and enquiries
Guest attendance enquiries. Attendance is by invitation. Register your interest in attending if a place becomes available. This request is separate from nomination for recognition and does not constitute an invitation. Already nominated or invited? Please follow the instructions in your private correspondence.
Request the Partner Brochure by email. For requests without JavaScript or other enquiries, email hesus@i13ventures.com.