Growth strategy consultant with proven expertise in start-up development, scaling businesses, building international growth plans, and acquiring funding. Board member and speaker on the challenges of enterprise.
Diane Roberts has spent her early career in international technology sales and marketing roles and brings over 25 years rich industry experience developing new business in the UK, USA, Europe and Asia Pacific.
From 2002 to 2007, Diane lived and worked in Silicon Valley, where she was the West Coast Director and the Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s US Software and Services team. During this time she developed a strong network of contacts and an up-close understanding of some of the world’s leading technology companies and the approach of the world’s largest venture capital community.
From 2009 to 2012 Diane was the inaugural National Director for HBAN, Ireland’s angel investment network establishing six angel syndicates and creating over €4m seed equity investment in technology startup companies. From 2009 to 2016 Diane held the role of Programme Director for the Invest NI Propel Programme, the leading startup accelerator programme in Northern Ireland, where she oversaw the development of over 100 companies, gaining equity funding in excess of £15m and the creation of over 500 jobs (and counting).
Since its establishment in 2007, Diane has lead XPinnovates to become one of the most successful new business venture consultancy and advisory companies in Ireland.
As a seasoned business mentor, Diane has been a highly respected advisor and senior executive coach to 100s of start-ups firms.
Over the past 10 years, Diane has been a resident mentor on the Enterprise Ireland International Selling Progamme.
Diane holds a BA Business Studies, and a MA in Modern History from Queen’s University Belfast. She also attended the Leadership for Growth Program at Stanford University.