Gary Byrne
Co-founder and Sales Director
Our founders
Five people, one Jeep, twenty years
Gary Byrne, Kevin O'Loughlin, Senan Finucane, Wendy Behan and Barry O'Loughlin started Nostra in 2006. The founders still run the business today.
Where it started
How Nostra began
In 2006 five people set out to build an IT business of their own. They set up in a windowless office in Greenogue. The first company vehicle was a 2004 Jeep Cherokee. The promise was simple, and it hasn't changed: keep IT simple, and do the right thing.
Two years in, the recession hit. Kevin O'Loughlin has described 2008 to 2011 as "a daily grind to survive". In 2009 the business restructured to focus entirely on managed services, the model Nostra is still built on today.
From there the growth was steady, then fast: 50 people by 2017, 100 by 2020, a new headquarters in Parkwest in 2021, investment from Phoenix Equity Partners in 2023, and new offices in Galway, Cork and Belfast. Ten businesses have joined Nostra along the way, and the team is now 340+ people.
Kevin O'Loughlin
Co-founder and CEO
Senan Finucane
Co-founder
Wendy Behan
Co-founder
Barry O'Loughlin
Co-founder and COO
Timeline
How we got here
2006
Nostra is born
Founded in Dublin. Five staff, a windowless office in Greenogue and a 2004 Jeep Cherokee as our first company vehicle.
Founded in Dublin. Five staff, a windowless office in Greenogue and a 2004 Jeep Cherokee as our first company vehicle.
2007
First offices
Moved to our first official office, in Sandyford. Became Microsoft and SonicWall partners.
Moved to our first official office, in Sandyford. Became Microsoft and SonicWall partners.
2008
Our own data centre
Built Nostra's own data centre.
Built Nostra's own data centre.
2009
Managed services
Restructured to become an exclusive managed service provider.
Restructured to become an exclusive managed service provider.
2013
Scaling up
Became a Microsoft Cloud Accelerate Partner and moved to a bigger office in Lucan.
Became a Microsoft Cloud Accelerate Partner and moved to a bigger office in Lucan.
2014
Government and growth
Secured our first Government contract, joined the Vistage CEO network and moved to Autotask for CRM and PSA.
Secured our first Government contract, joined the Vistage CEO network and moved to Autotask for CRM and PSA.
2015
First acquisition
Acquired Tech Department, wrote a 20-year business plan and bought a new fleet of 13 vehicles.
Acquired Tech Department, wrote a 20-year business plan and bought a new fleet of 13 vehicles.
2016
Dawn to Dusk
Held our first Dawn to Dusk charity fundraiser.
Held our first Dawn to Dusk charity fundraiser.
2017
50 people
Won a client with 50+ branches across the EU and UK. Staff reached 50. Kevin O'Loughlin was an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
Won a client with 50+ branches across the EU and UK. Staff reached 50. Kevin O'Loughlin was an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
2018
Restructured for growth
Acquired EMIT.
Acquired EMIT.
2020
Cyber security strength
Acquired Brandon Global. Staff reached 100.
Acquired Brandon Global. Staff reached 100.
2021
New HQ
Moved to a three-storey office in Parkwest, Dublin. Acquired Enclave. Certified to ISO 27001.
Moved to a three-storey office in Parkwest, Dublin. Acquired Enclave. Certified to ISO 27001.
2023
Investment and momentum
Secured investment from Phoenix Equity Partners. Acquired Passax, Definitive, Compunet and Voice & Data. Opened our Galway office.
Secured investment from Phoenix Equity Partners. Acquired Passax, Definitive, Compunet and Voice & Data. Opened our Galway office.
2024
AV and print added
Acquired Spectrum AV and PPC (print). Named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work. Opened our Cork office.
Acquired Spectrum AV and PPC (print). Named one of the Sunday Times Best Places to Work. Opened our Cork office.
2025
UK expansion
Opened our Belfast office. Named one of Deloitte Ireland's Best Managed Companies. Our team raised over €20,000 for the ISPCC's Abseil for Childline campaign.
Opened our Belfast office. Named one of Deloitte Ireland's Best Managed Companies. Our team raised over €20,000 for the ISPCC's Abseil for Childline campaign.
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