By Business & Finance 
Máirín Murray is the founder and CEO of TechFoundHer, a global platform that accelerates women’s start and leadership of tech enterprises. Committed to addressing entrepreneurial inequality, Máirín challenges structural and cultural biases faced by women founders and recently launched Ireland’s first tech pre-accelerator for women.
What was your first job?
Mixing cement as a child, helping my art teacher Dad with his self-build projects. My first paid role was as a teenager, creating freelance radio features for the BBC’s Bottom Line radio youth show.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
Initially, it was my curiosity about new technologies, love for problem-solving, and excitement around the Web 2.0 boom and digital tech’s potential to democratise media — I love the start of a tech wave when it’s like the Wild West for tech innovation.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
I loved my time at the BBC in London developing Blast — a multi-platform service for young people to get creative, and now with TechFoundHer as accelerating women innovators to tackle major global challenges through tech.
Career-wise, would you do anything differently?
I’d believe and back myself more at an earlier stage.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
I love the quote from Roosevelt about the arena — Success for me is stepping into the arena, daring greatly, and knowing that true victory lies in showing up and giving your all, regardless of the outcome.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
F**k perfection— action creates its own momentum. I’m definitely a doer — I’m passionate about the power of experiential learning.
How do you motivate yourself and your team?
We inspire each other. The incredible women founders I meet as part of TechFoundHer are my fuel to keep going.
What is your approach to overcoming challenges?
I’m surrounded by really smart and wise advisors, and I’m not shy of asking them for their perspective on things that crop up.
How do you relax?
I’m back walking 10K steps a day, and any day now might start back at my sea dipping/swimming.
What are your aspirations for the future of your business?
To fundamentally shift the landscape so that women-led tech ventures become the norm, solving meaningful global problems and driving lasting positive impact.
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