From touring America to reshaping how people discover restaurants — this is the story of a founder who bet on himself when no one else would.
The press release below was written by TU Dublin marketing students during the WorkIQ PR & Media Workshop 2026. Emmanuel Smiley has never done things the conventional way — and that’s exactly what makes him one of the most compelling founders in Tallaght right now.
From touring America as a musician to building Gontrel, a TikTok-inspired platform redefining how people discover restaurants, his story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless self-belief. This is his journey.
Emmanuel Smiley Shares Journey Behind Gontrel’s Vision for Food Discovery
From music to tech — a visionary, reshaping how people experience restaurants
Chloe Byrne, Victoria Babalola
Emmanuel Smiley, founder of Gontrel, is redefining how people discover places to eat through a video-first platform inspired by the simplicity and engagement of TikTok. But behind the innovation lies a deeply personal journey shaped by resilience, identity, and self-belief.
Smiley began his career in music at just four years old, eventually touring across America and performing at major festivals such as Electric Picnic and Longitude. Despite reaching a level many aspire to, he found himself unfulfilled. “I was doing things I didn’t really love,” he reflects, noting how that disconnect began to take a toll and led him into unhealthy patterns. Over time, he naturally transitioned into a music director role, stepping into leadership, a shift that would later influence his approach to building Gontrel.
Growing up across Tallaght, Kildare, Lucan, and Tallaght, attending three different primary schools, Smiley was constantly placed in new environments. This built a strong sense of adaptability and charisma beyond his musical talent. “Being in new territory all the time became a tool for me,” he explains. That ability to connect, adjust, and lead now underpins how he approaches both business and people.
His journey into entrepreneurship was equally unconventional. Having never worked a traditional job, Smiley leaned fully into his belief that he could create his own path. Despite failing his Leaving Cert twice, he refused to give up, instead focusing on networking and surrounding himself with ambitious, like-minded individuals. “You can find your future co-founder in your environment,” he says, emphasising the importance of proximity to driven people.
A defining moment in Gontrel’s journey came through investment. Smiley’s first investor, someone from his church, had been quietly observing his consistency and determination. “You don’t know who’s watching,” Smiley says. Initially too afraid to accept the investment in 2023, he returned in 2025, even after turning the investor down twice. “I didn’t take it as a no, that’s the Tallaght in me.”
The investor’s belief in Smiley created a ripple effect, opening doors and building credibility for the business. “He invested in me before the idea,” Smiley notes, highlighting how personal belief can drive opportunity.
Gontrel’s long-term ambition is to reshape how consumers experience restaurants, simplifying decision-making while enhancing discovery. Smiley is actively opening conversations with major companies such as Deliveroo, aiming to create partnerships that bring value to both users and businesses. His vision has expanded through exposure to bigger thinkers and environments. “Being around people who dream big changes how you see your own potential,” he explains.
Outside of business, Smiley describes his life in seasons. Currently in his 20s with no major personal commitments, he is fully focused on building. “This season is about obsession, optimising success Monday to Saturday,” he says. His mindset is rooted in what he calls a “Tallaght street mentality” not negative, but defined by hustle, resilience, and ambition. He also points to spaces like WorkIQ in Tallaght as symbols of change, helping shift perceptions of areas once misunderstood and proving that innovation and success can come from anywhere.
Want to Know More?
Emmanuel Smiley is based at WorkIQ Tallaght — and Gontrel is just getting started. Follow his journey and find out more about the platform. Curious about the other entrepreneurs building at WorkIQ? Book a tour today.
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