Larry Sullivan

COINS

Group Chairman

Description

Larry Sullivan is Chairman and Co-Founder of Construction Industry Solutions (COINS), a global software company with offices and clients in the UK, USA, Australia, Dubai, Ireland and Russia. He also founded 7 other software companies, 5 of which are UK based, 1 is in Poland, and 1 in Russia. Larry is an angel investor in tech and biotech start-ups, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and social impact. Current investments include: • Comply Advantage – Anti-money laundering and financial crime detection technology, powered by AI and machine learning • Stitch – Enabling African businesses to easily develop more user-friendly, innovative and inclusive digital finance products • Muddy Machines – AI-powered high-efficiency horticultural robots • Beam – Using technology to better support homeless people on their journey into housing and permanent work • Nomio – Turns contracts and regulatory documents into useful data with 99% accuracy • Signal Insights – AI Powered competitor intelligence • Aren AI – Computer vision, deep learning, and AI to safely monitor infrastructure assets • OnePlanet – A technology platform to manage sustainability planning and communication • Onsite IQ – video-based construction documentation and AI-powered actionable insights • Cyclr - middleware/embedded integration toolkit for SaaS applications • Symprove – Advanced probiotics (exited) • ContentCal – Social media planning and publishing (exited) • JustGiving – Online fundraising and donations (exited) His interests extend to education and other areas of social enterprise. Larry co-founded and funded Stepping Stones School in Surrey in 2004 and continues to sit on its Governance Board. The school, which focuses on children with mild to moderate learning challenges, was originally based in a former United Reform Church and has expanded to an Upper School at Undershaw, former residence of Sherlock Holmes author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He has funded a number of social enterprises to further support Stepping Stones School and individuals with disabilities, including Cookie Bar and the Cookie Bar Bus and a recording studio. In 2006, Larry established COINS Foundation as the not-for-profit organisation of the COINS group, which aims to use the power of business to create a better and more sustainable future and address issues of social injustice. COINS Foundation is committed to supporting social enterprises and businesses with a social mission and believes that economic and social value should be intertwined. Its grants support the Widad Center for special education and therapy in Dubai, Habitat for Humanity, PEAS (Promoting Equality in African Secondary education), Challengers (inclusive activities for disabled children and young people), Big hArt in Australia, and disability sailing in both UK and Australia. His leadership roles include being a Trustee at Widad Center, a board member of Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, a patron at Disability Challengers and a board member at the DFN Foundation’s Project SEARCH. Larry also co-founded a series of values-based start-ups where at inception, part-ownership is granted to COINS Foundation. These include: • Pathways Education - An innovative SEND school and training centre • Freebird Film - A production company that sponsors NGO production and communication strategies • Cenata Insurance - Software company with a mission to modernise and transparentise the insurance industry Larry is a regular speaker at UK, US, Australian, and UAE business schools on the topic of Enterprise as a Force for Good and Social improvement. For example, he has spoken at University of St Andrews, University of Warwick, Cranfield University, London School of Economics, London Business School, Harvard University, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California Berkley, Hult International Business School, and Monash Business School. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from Warwick Business School (2017) and sits on the Advisory Council of the School of Management at University of St Andrews.