ExportExplore’s journey is one of steady ambition, community roots, and a clear vision for helping businesses expand internationally. In this Q&A, founder Declan Barry reflects on how the company has grown into a trusted guide for firms navigating transatlantic markets, the importance of relationships in driving that growth, and why the Innovation Factory in West Belfast has become the ideal base for their expanding team. He also shares the mindset that keeps the business grounded amid rapid scaling, and how community driven economic development continues to shape ExportExplore’s mission for the future.
Q: For those who don’t know ExportExplore, what does your company do?
A: I’m Declan Barry, founder of ExportExplore. We’re an economic development consultancy based here at the Innovation Factory in West Belfast. We work with companies moving to and from North America helping them grow their business, find new partners, and make the right connections.
If you want to take your business into another part of the world, there’s a formula for doing that. We help people simplify the process, break it down, and walk through it step by step.
Q: How has the business grown since you started?
A: Our business has grown 100% year on year for the last five years. That growth is driven by one thing – relationships. Our entire business, our entire industry is built on them.
Q: Why did you choose to base ExportExplore at the Innovation Factory?
A: We’re really delighted to have moved into the Innovation Factory. We’re right here in West Belfast. I’m from West Belfast. We’re adding jobs, we’re creating jobs, and that’s very important to us.
Being in the Innovation Factory gives us a hub. People are prepared to come to us. We’ve created a fantastic environment within our own workspace, but the wider facilities here make a huge difference too with the meeting rooms, the coffee shop, co‑working spaces when we want a bit of socialisation. The support we’ve received has been excellent, from establishing our presence to the wider business support network.
Q: When you think about the pressures of running and scaling a business, what’s the most important mindset to keep?
A: I think the most important thing would be to calm down. Everything is 1,000 mph and that’s when mistakes happen. It’s that old thing of measure twice, cut once. When you slow down, you make better decisions, and that’s crucial when you’re dealing with international markets and fast moving opportunities.
Q: You’ve spent two decades in economic development. What drives your approach?
A: Economic development starts at community level. The only way to create sustainable improvement in any community is for it to grow its own. We need to find role models for people from an entrepreneurial basis, and facilities like this really provide that opportunity.
Q: What does future growth look like for ExportExplore?
A: Growth for us means increasing our ability to add value for our customers. It’s about smart connections and building a better network. If we can help more companies expand internationally and do it in a way that’s strategic and sustainable, that’s success.
