Laois woman Lorraine Curham has been making waves on the national and international stage as a leader in Ireland’s startup and technology ecosystem.

The former student of Mountmellick Secondary School is currently serving as the Head of Operations for the NDRC at Dogpatch Labs. Earlier this year the Business Post named Ms Curham as one of the Top 100 Tech Leaders in Ireland.
The NDRC is Ireland’s National Startup Accelerator, supporting the next generation of innovative founders and building bridges between them and global investors.

In addition to her work with the NDRC, Lorraine is the Founder of Fierce, a pioneering initiative aimed at breaking down barriers for women founders in the tech industry. Fierce is known for its no-nonsense, solutions-focused approach, connecting women with the mentors, investors, and networks they need to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Lorraine’s career spans a wide array of roles, including her time at Trinity College Dublin, where she spearheaded efforts to expand the university’s business school globally and managed social enterprise initiatives to address tech equity gaps. She also has experience as an entrepreneur herself, having founded a startup in the EdTech space.

Speaking to the Leinster Express/Laois Live she said: “Growing up in Laois instilled in me a deep appreciation for hard work, as there was always something that needed to be done. Whether it was hauling turf off the bog during the summer, putting in long hours at my local credit union, or running laps around the local GAA pitch in tough conditions, the work never waited. That sense of responsibility has stayed with me throughout my life, shaping the strong work ethic I have today. I wouldn’t trade those lessons for anything”.

Lorraine has been featured prominently in major publications, including recently in The Financial Times, where she highlighted the systemic challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and called for pragmatic solutions to create more inclusive opportunities for women in business.

Her recent partnership between Dogpatch Labs and the University of Limerick’s Immersive Software Engineering Programme is just one example of her commitment to creating opportunities for young innovators. This collaboration offers students hands-on experience with startups, helping to cultivate the next generation of tech leaders in Ireland.

Outside of her professional career, Lorraine has also achieved some incredible feats such as climbing Island Peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp and completing the world’s toughest foot race, the 250km Marathon des Sables (six back-to-back ultra marathons across the Sahara Desert, carrying all her kit on her back).