Padraig O'Donnell
This paper uses the empirical setting of the IRFU‘s strategic renewal journey from the
amateur era in rugby to the professional era. The study is conducted at a micro level and uses intensive qualitative research techniques to answer the research question How and why strategic renewal and business models can lead to new institutional logic ? The study is also longitudinal in construct as it looks at this unique phenomenon from 1995-2010. The data set draws on 34 unique interviews and multiple sources of secondary data to show that the strategic renewal process the IRFU embarked resulted in a new professional institutional logic that has been maintained across the organisation. The findings draw on theories from business model research, governance and institutional logics. The research shows that the IRFU, used strategic coupling and de-coupling as a management tool throughout the journey.
Business Strategy·Ireland·6 Aug 2026·Editors ChoiceRead full article → Startup Funding News
AI startup Acrab raises $130m in Vertex-backed Series B funding DealStreetAsia
Start Ups·Global·6 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Start Up Daily
Labor’s green leash on AI data centres could spook investors and jack up bills, the Coalition warns.
Start Ups·APAC·6 Aug 2026·Article·AustraliaRead full article → Disrupt Africa
Nigeria-founded mobility fintech company Moove, which democratises access to vehicle ownership for mobility entrepreneurs, has raised raised US$250 million in a Series C round at a US$2.1 billion valuation. Founded in 2020 by Ladi Delano and Jide Odunsi to connect mobility entrepreneurs with fair, accessible, and affordable revenue-based vehicle financing options, Moove embeds its alternative [...] The post Nigerian mobility startup Moove raises $250m Series C funding round appeared first on Disrupt Africa .
Start Ups·Global·6 Aug 2026·Article·AfricaRead full article → Start Up Daily
Ex-journos launch Nomen Partners to give startups senior-led PR without agency bloat to steer brands through the AI noise.
Start Ups·APAC·6 Aug 2026·Article·AustraliaRead full article → The Bridge JP
megli, a company engaged in the production of entertainment content utilizing AI, announced on the 4th that it has raised a total of ¥100 million in a seed round of funding. Investors in this round include Asu Capital Partners, PixAI (Metanomaly), jig.jp, and Brave group. The company handles everything from character design to songwriting, singing, and video production through a workflow that is based on AI. It has launched its own IP brand “megli-ai” and released its first product, the AI singer “coyane.” Rather than using AI as an auxiliary tool for production, megli features an “AI-native” production system that creates works with AI as a premise from the planning...
Start Ups·APAC·6 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → The Bridge JP
On the 4th, X Mile, which specializes in workforce matching and digitalization for non-desk industries such as logistics, construction, and manufacturing, announced that it has raised ¥3.17 billion in a Series C round. This round was led by Vertex Growth, with participation from ALPHA, SMBC Nikko Securities, SOMPO Growth Partners, The University of Tokyo Edge Capital (UTEC), SMBC Venture Capital, Minerva Growth Partners, Japan Post Capital, and JPS Growth Investments. The total amount raised to date has reached ¥6.96 billion. The company operates in three areas: HR platform business, DX/AI platform business, and management support platform business. In the HR platform business, it provides a workforce matching service specialized for...
Start Ups·APAC·6 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Startup Funding News
Climate-tech Startup Mitti Labs Raises $9.5 Mn In Series A Led By Aramco Ventures BW Disrupt
Start Ups·Global·6 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → The Grocer
Meat trade bodies in Brazil have played down fears of beef and poultry from the country flooding the UK market after the National Farmers’ Union yesterday called for the UK government to mirror a proposed EU ban on Brazilian animal products due to come into force on 3 September
Pricing·UK·6 Aug 2026·Article·RetailRead full article → Start Up Daily
LemonLime founder apologises for "reckless" move that saw 7 people get inked chasing a job interviews.
Start Ups·APAC·6 Aug 2026·Article·AustraliaRead full article → Start Up Daily
What if we started viewing failure as feedback? Jason Dunn on learning from setbacks
Start Ups·APAC·6 Aug 2026·Article·AustraliaRead full article → Staffing Industry Analysts
Barrett sees Q2 growth in PEO revenue, staffing slip Staffing Industry Analysts
Staffing and Recruitment·Global·5 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Entrepreneur
Global expansion isn't about forcing one business model into new markets — it's about knowing what to audit before you cross the border, and what to rebuild once you get there.
Start Ups·US·5 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Disrupt Africa
Every year, millions of people working outside Africa send money back to their families. It is one of the largest financial flows into the continent, and for most people doing it, that flow costs far more than it should. Maplerad, a Lagos-founded real time payment network, has spent the past several years building the infrastructure [...] The post Maplerad is rebuilding the rails beneath Africa’s $92bn remittance problem appeared first on Disrupt Africa .
Start Ups·Global·5 Aug 2026·Article·AfricaRead full article → Entrepreneur
McCall McPherson turned her own misdiagnosis into a mission and built Modern Thyroid Clinic into a nationwide telehealth network that is changing how thyroid disease is measured, treated, and believed.
Start Ups·US·5 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Startup Funding News
Exclusive: Legaltech Wordsmith raises $14m Series B extension from Index, FT Ventures sifted.eu
Start Ups·Global·5 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Entrepreneur
AI can transform your small business, but without proper governance, it can also create costly compliance risks.
Start Ups·US·5 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Entrepreneur
Can AI run a profitable business and oversee human employees? A new experiment put the technology to the test.
Start Ups·US·5 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Entrepreneur
A founder's guide to evolving from a technical builder to a technical leader.
Start Ups·US·5 Aug 2026·ArticleRead full article → Harvard Law School - Programme on Negotiations
In-Person Program Course Dates: May 10-13, 2027 Register Now This advanced course is designed for experienced mediators seeking to deepen their skills, refine their strategies, and confidently navigate complex, high-stakes disputes. Through a blend of theory, practice, and case-based learning, participants will learn how to mediate power imbalances, implement impasse breaking techniques, structure the mediation process to … Read Harvard Advanced Mediation Intensive The post Harvard Advanced Mediation Intensive appeared first on PON - Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School .
Deals & Sales Operations·Global·5 Aug 2026·Article·Negotiations Read full article →