DCU Business School Alum Ashley McDonnell Targets €50 Million to Launch Ireland’s First Luxury Goods Group

A graduate of the Dublin City University Business School, Ashley McDonnell is leading an ambitious new venture aimed at creating Ireland’s first luxury goods group.

The Galway-based entrepreneur is seeking to raise €50 million to establish Vyko Group, a platform designed to bring together Irish fashion, beauty, and potentially food brands under a single umbrella. The initiative aims to provide the scale, expertise, and infrastructure needed for Irish brands to compete more effectively on the global stage.

Vyko Group’s strategy centres on acquiring stakes in high-potential Irish brands and accelerating their growth through shared capabilities in marketing, distribution, and operations.

McDonnell brings significant international experience to the venture, having previously worked with global organisations including Google, LVMH, and Puig. She is now focused on applying that expertise to develop a homegrown luxury ecosystem in Ireland.

With early-stage deals underway and a strong pipeline of potential investments, the venture aims to scale multiple Irish brands into international markets and drive substantial growth in the years ahead.

The news was reported in The Irish Times.