Location 🗺️: Sydney, Australia 🇦🇺. Originally Templemore, Tipperary 🇮🇪
Stage 🚀: CIM has raised a total of A$15.5M in funding over 4 rounds. Their latest funding was raised on Sep 26, 2022, from a Series A round of AU$10 million Led by Five V Capital alongside Carthona Capital
Company Description📝
CIM creates innovative building analytics software that helps run large buildings at their peak performance. CIM’s SaaS PEAK platform integrates building intelligence, machine learning and mechanical engineering to improve efficiency, sustainability and comfort across any commercial building type. CIM offers a uniquely collaborative and transparent end-to-end process that optimises buildings, achieving faster and smarter outcomes, and delivering economic and environmental benefits for property owners and operators.
CIM’s Origin🧑🍳
Due to economic restrictions in Ireland and the GFC, David quit his job and emigrated with his family to Sydney in 2009.
With an interest in property and sustainable energy consumption, David found a job as a commercial manager in environmental hardware, software, and consulting services. Before long, David’s affinity for problem-solving sparked a lightbulb moment.
In 2015, he started CIM, bootstrapping the company with only $1,300 in capital and a fierce desire to bring his vision to life. David and university colleague Colin Cullinan built the first iteration of CIM’s revolutionary software.
Now a well-established start-up, CIM has continued to go from strength to strength. David and the team have facilitated digital transformations for building owners and operators globally, The team is now 50-plus strong.
Most recently David moved to Colorado in early 2023 to establish a physical presence in the United States. Meanwhile, the growth of the company’s EMEA and UK presence has rocketed, driven by the company’s Cork-based team.
What Does it Mean to be an Irish Founder Abroad? ☘️
Being an Irish founder abroad carries a unique set of advantages. The Irish network globally is a robust and supportive community, with many individuals eager to lend a hand, whether they become clients or collaborators.
For me, being Irish in Australia has proven to be an unequivocal advantage, opening doors and fostering connections that contribute to the success of Irish founders abroad.
David Walsh
While no one has solely supported us for being Irish, being part of the Irish community has certainly facilitated the development of valuable relationships. Interestingly, the Irish and Australian people share a similar outlook, both not taking themselves too seriously while remaining deeply passionate and committed to their endeavours.
If it was possible, what’s one bit of advice you would tell yourself when you first emigrated?✈️
When reflecting on my journey as an expatriate and entrepreneur, there’s one crucial piece of advice I’d impart to my former self:
Recognise the immense value of the education and experience I gained in Ireland before embarking on this adventure.
Initially, I underestimated just how exceptional that foundation was on a global scale. Those initial nerves I felt when starting in a new land caused me to underestimate my capabilities. Little did I know, that I would go on to build a business from scratch, assemble a talented team, develop innovative products, and successfully market them.
This journey was a significant learning experience that revealed strengths I never knew I possessed, all thanks to my Irish education and background. Not a day goes by without me drawing upon the skills honed during my time in Ireland.