People - Advisory Board

Serial Entrepreneur

Susan Spence is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of SoftCo, one of Ireland’s most successful enterprise software companies and a global provider of financial automation and procure-to-pay solutions. Founded in 1990, SoftCo grew into an international technology leader and was acquired in 2024 by Keensight Capital in one of Ireland’s largest recent technology transactions.

Susan is also co-founder of Manverton, a personal investment company supporting a diverse portfolio of ventures across property, equine industries, and charitable and sporting initiatives. Through Manverton and her wider work, she has been a long-standing advocate for women in business, youth development, and sport, including sustained support for Irish hockey at both grassroots and elite levels.

Alongside her entrepreneurial career, Susan plays an active role in enterprise development and public service. She chairs the Dublin Regional Enterprise Plan and supports organisations focused on social entrepreneurship and the growth of women-led businesses. She is an Entrepreneurial Ambassador for Technological University Dublin, working with the School of Marketing and Entrepreneurship to support student founders and early-stage ventures.

Susan has received multiple national and international awards recognising her contribution to entrepreneurship and business leadership, and is a regular contributor to business media and public discussion on entrepreneurship and growth.