Built on Real Experience, Not Theory Alone
We started Openex Free because too many investment education programmes felt disconnected from how markets actually work. Our approach comes from years spent navigating market cycles, managing risk through volatility, and understanding what truly matters when capital is on the line.
Where It All Started
Back in 2019, we noticed something odd. People were paying enormous sums for investment courses that taught outdated strategies or purely theoretical concepts. Meanwhile, practical skills that actually help with portfolio construction were hard to find.
So we decided to do something different. We built a programme around the tools and approaches that professional investors actually use. Not the glamorous stuff you see in headlines, but the methodical work of understanding market structure, reading financial statements, and managing position sizing.
Our founding team came from institutional backgrounds where mistakes had real consequences. That perspective shapes everything we teach. We're not interested in selling dreams or promoting quick wins. Instead, we focus on building competence through structured learning and realistic practice.
Meet Your Primary Instructor
Learning investment strategy requires guidance from someone who's actually managed real portfolios through different market conditions.
Rónán Flaherty
Senior Investment Strategy Instructor
Rónán spent twelve years working in portfolio management before transitioning to education. His background includes equity research at a Dublin-based fund and later risk management for institutional clients across European markets.
What makes his teaching style different is the focus on decision-making under uncertainty. He doesn't pretend to predict markets or promise perfect timing. Instead, he teaches students how to evaluate opportunities, size positions appropriately, and manage the psychological aspects of investing.
His courses blend quantitative analysis with practical case studies drawn from real market situations. Students learn to read balance sheets, understand valuation frameworks, and construct portfolios that align with specific risk tolerances.
How We Actually Teach
Our methodology comes from observing what separates successful long-term investors from those who struggle. It's rarely about finding secret strategies—it's about mastering fundamentals and maintaining discipline.
Start with Market Structure
Before jumping into stock picks or trading strategies, we make sure students understand how markets actually function. Who are the participants? What drives price movements? How do different asset classes behave during various economic conditions? This foundation prevents costly misunderstandings later.
Practice with Real Scenarios
Every module includes case studies from actual market situations. Students analyze companies during earnings reports, evaluate investment theses during market drawdowns, and make portfolio decisions using historical data. We believe learning happens when you apply concepts to messy, real-world situations.
Focus on Risk First
Too many courses emphasize potential returns without adequate attention to downside protection. We flip that approach. Students learn position sizing, portfolio construction, and risk management before discussing return optimization. This mirrors how professional investors actually work.
Build Gradually
Our curriculum unfolds over months, not weeks. Investment competence develops through repeated practice and reflection. Each module builds on previous concepts, giving students time to absorb material and develop their own analytical approach before moving to more complex topics.
What Drives Us Forward
We're committed to raising the standard of investment education in Ireland and beyond. The financial industry has a credibility problem—too many promises, too little substance. We want to be different.
Our students don't get guaranteed outcomes or unrealistic expectations. What they do get is a rigorous curriculum taught by instructors with genuine market experience. They learn frameworks that work across different market environments, not just during bull markets.
As we look toward 2026, we're expanding our curriculum to include more advanced modules on derivatives, alternative investments, and portfolio management. But our core philosophy stays the same: teach what works, be honest about limitations, and prepare students for the reality of managing capital.
Explore Our Programme