By Business & Finance 
Alan Doyle is the CEO of Aerlytix, a Dublin-based technology company dedicated to transforming the aviation finance industry. Aerlytix’s software is trusted by leading lessors, global aviation banks and investors, handling billions of dollars in aircraft transactions. Alan is a 2025 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist in the emerging category.
By Youssef Fathalli
What inspired you to start your company?
Necessity, more than anything, was the spark. When my previous employer shifted strategy and planned job cuts, I approached the CEO with the idea of spinning out to create a standalone company. I proposed taking some of the core tech team and securing clients and investment myself. They agreed, and that was the beginning of what became today’s company.
What are your main priorities and goals in your role?
Driving smart, sustainable growth is always top of the list. That means keeping our technology and products ahead of the curve, supporting clients with ever-better analytics, and building a team that can scale globally without losing the great culture that makes Aerlytix unique.
How do you keep your team/staff motivated?
By giving talented people room to own their work and to grow. We offer flexibility, an amazing workplace culture, rapid learning and the chance to shape pioneering software. Employee appreciation of this was recognised with The Times Best Place to Work 2025 award, with exceptionally high employee metrics, which says more than I ever could.
What are the challenges facing the industry going forward?
A large pipeline of new aircraft deliveries, strong passenger demand and an aging global fleet all require careful analysis. Investors, lenders and airlines will need sophisticated analytics to plan optimal strategies and manage risk as the market expands and assets mature.
Are there any major changes you would like to see in your sector?
Greater adoption of cutting-edge technology and a stronger focus on data driven risk management practices common in other investment classes would elevate the entire aviation industry. Making sophisticated analytics as widely available in aviation finance, as they are in other asset classes, would also help attract a wider pool of investors to this capital-intensive market. This is especially important as the global fleet is expected to grow from about 30,000 aircraft today to more than 50,000 by 2043.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in business?
I cannot point to one defining piece of advice from a mentor. Most of the wisdom I rely on has come from working alongside talented colleagues and watching how they solve problems. The team around me fuels my energy and I learn from them every single day.
What advice would you give to others starting out in business?
Hire people who are smarter than you in their specialty and give them the space to excel. It is inspiring to watch them grow and it is critical to building a resilient company.
On the softer side, always remember to enjoy the journey, something I overlooked at the beginning of mine.
What have been your highlights in business over the past year?
Seeing strong global demand for our platform and delivering major new products that are truly innovative. That combination of product evolution and international growth has been hugely rewarding.
What does being part of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year community mean to you, and how important is networking and connection to your journey as a business leader?
It is inspiring to meet peers who are building world class companies from Ireland. Our entrepreneurial arena is relatively small, so gaining access to such a strong and supportive network through EOY has been a real eye opener. The exchange of ideas and the willingness to help one another reminds me that we are part of something much bigger than our own businesses.
What is the best book you’ve ever read (non-business) and why?
Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Risk management is central to my work, and Taleb is unmatched in this field. The ideas in the book go far beyond business, they have influenced how I think and how I live day to day. On a purely fictional basis, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was hard to beat.
What is your favourite hobby and why?
Some would say I get a little too excited about good food and wine, but I balance that with long daily walks. The walks are for thinking, the food and wine are for fun, a combination that keeps life well balanced.
What is your mantra for life?
Create, succeed, share.
Read more CEO Q&As here:
Caitriona Ryan and Niki Ralph, co-founders of the Institute of Dermatologists
