My Business Life: Pete O’Brien, Ventry Technologies

Pete O’Brien, CEO of Ventry Technologies, shares his life and business lessons.

Pete O’Brien is a seasoned entrepreneur with a career spanning recruitment, private banking, pharmaceuticals and sustainable energy.

He grew up in Cork City, and has followed in his Dad’s entrepreneurial footprints. Pete launched his first business, a truck driver recruitment company, at 26. This business was later acquired. He has since worked in investor relations, private banking and co-founded a pharmaceutical firm that went public on NASDAQ.

His latest venture, Ventry Technologies, focuses on reducing energy consumption for high-energy industries, particularly data centres, by leveraging innovative technology. Staying true to his values drives Pete’s business journey, and throughout his career, Pete has remained committed to integrity, problem-solving and sustainability.

Tell us about your background and the journey you took to arrive at where you are today?

I come from a very entrepreneurial background. My father was an entrepreneur in Cork City, and I followed in his footsteps. My first company was a truck driver recruitment business, which I set up when I was 26, and that was eventually bought out.

Before that, I lived in the Cayman Islands for four years, where I worked as a termite surveyor. That was an amazing experience until Hurricane Ivan hit in 2004 and destroyed the island. After that, I came back to Ireland and started my recruitment business.

Following its success, I moved to Whistler, Canada in Vancouver, where I spent some time skiing before working with oil, gas and gold companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange, handling investor relations. That led me to HSBC in the Channel Islands, where I worked in private banking. I was supposed to return to work for Anglo Irish, but that fell through when they went into liquidation. So I came back and set up a nursing recruitment business, which was bought out in 2016.

With the proceeds from that, I co-founded a pharmaceutical business in California, which went public on the NASDAQ in June 2019, just two years after its formation.

After that, I was invited to be an equity shareholder and set up operations in Ireland for an HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) business, a green diesel replacement company. That business grew significantly, from an approximate initial valuation of £6 million to valued at hundreds of millions.

Now, my new venture is Ventry Technologies, which supplies technology to heavy energy users, particularly data centres. I’ve acquired the rights for the UK, Europe and the Middle East for this technology, which can save data centres up to 15% on energy usage, a critical issue given the strain on national grids and restrictions on new data center licenses.

Why are you doing what you’re doing, and what need are you meeting?

I have strong connections with both the inventors of the technology in Singapore and the data centres that will benefit from it. My background is in recruitment, which is ultimately about connecting people. In a way, this is just another form of recruitment. I identify a problem and find the right people to solve it.

The grid in Ireland and many parts of Europe is under immense pressure, and data centres are major energy consumers. Our technology helps solve this problem by reducing energy consumption, benefiting governments, the grid, and the data centres themselves.

How did you fund your business, and what are your growth plans?

Ventry Technologies is self-funded by four other entrepreneurs and investors. Throughout my career, I’ve used various funding models; self-funding, retail banking support (a bank overdraft for my truck driver recruitment business), venture capital (for my oil business) and public funding through the NASDAQ (for my pharmaceutical business).

For Ventry, we are focusing on scaling across the UK, Europe and the Middle East, helping major energy users reduce their consumption and costs.

Who has helped you most along the way? Who has been your greatest mentor or inspiration?

Sir Richard Branson has been a big inspiration, both for his diverse career spanning multiple industries and his work-life balance. He doesn’t let ego drive his decisions, and that’s something I admire and try to emulate.

Another big influence was Chuck Feeney, the Irish-American entrepreneur behind Duty Free Stores. His philosophy of “giving while living” resonated deeply with me. He donated his entire fortune while still alive, funding universities, hospitals and infrastructure worldwide. I admire his approach to wealth and legacy.

What is the greatest piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

The best deals are sometimes the ones you walk away from.

Gary McCann, former CEO of Smurfit, once said that some of the most profitable deals they ever did were the ones they decided not to pursue. I’ve learned that saying no to certain deals, whether for financial, strategic or ethical reasons, can be just as valuable as the ones you say yes to.

What was the inspiration for naming your company, Ventry Technologies?

Ventry is a place in Southwest Ireland, near Dingle, where my wife’s family is from. I name many of my businesses after places that are meaningful to me.

Beyond that, I like that “Ventry” sounds like “Venture” and “Try”. It reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of venturing into new opportunities and trying new things.

In your opinion, what qualities mark the difference between success and failure in business?

Integrity.

Success isn’t just about making money. It’s about solving problems, helping people and doing business ethically. I wouldn’t engage in a business that compromises my values, and I think that’s been key to my success.

What has been the most challenging aspect of growing your business?

For Ventry, the challenge is getting data. It’s a new technology, and while data centres see its potential, they want to test it themselves before implementing it on a large scale. Convincing them to take that step is the main challenge.

How has digital transformation played a role in your scaling journey?

Digital transformation is at the core of our business. Our technology itself is a form of digital transformation. It helps companies optimise their energy usage through innovation.

Do you think Irish firms are doing enough to embrace digital transformation?

Irish firms are open to change, but there’s a natural hesitation when it comes to adopting new technology, especially when it affects critical infrastructure like data centres. However, since tech firms are used to innovation, they’re generally more willing to take that leap.

If you were to start all over again, what would you do differently?

I would spend more time building the right team from the outset. In the past, I’ve jumped into projects quickly, and while most have worked out, I now see how crucial it is to have the right people around you from the start.

What advice would you give to a new hire?

Enjoy your work.

Too many people chase salaries at the expense of happiness. My parents always told me, “Do what you love, and you’ll always be fine.” I’d pass that advice on to any new hire.

What business books would you recommend?

• Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – A great perspective on financial freedom.
• Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson – A fascinating business autobiography.
• Giving While Living by Chuck Feeney – A powerful philosophy on wealth and legacy.

What tools or technologies do you use to stay organised?

• Google Calendar for scheduling
• CS Scanner for scanning and signing documents digitally. An essential tool, especially when traveling.

What social media platform do you prefer for business, and why?

LinkedIn. It allows you to quickly assess people and businesses, similar to reviewing CVs in recruitment.

What advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?

Be mindful of who you surround yourself with.

You become the product of the five people you spend the most time with, so choose wisely, both in business and in life.

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