Building a Company on Belief: The Story of eXcellerate

Entrepreneurship is about turning a vision into a reality, but it takes more than just an idea to build a company.

It requires a driving passion, a relentless work ethic, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. These are the values that have guided the founders of eXcellerate, Eduard Haegel and David O’Rourke, as they seek to help mining operations around the world significantly improve their operational productivity.

Three Decades in the Making

In September 2022, Eduard (Eddy) Haegel and David O’Rourke founded eXcellerate with a shared conviction: that mining operations around the world could perform significantly better, and that the right technology and the right team could make it happen. 

Eddy brings deep operational leadership to the partnership, having served as Asset President of BHP’s Nickel West. David, founder of OIP Pty Ltd, built his reputation leading a transformative improvement program for shovel and excavator operators at one of the world’s top 10 copper mines, owned by Anglo American. Together, they bring more than six decades of combined mining experience to eXcellerate and a clear sense of purpose.

That experience does not stay on the shelf. Alongside iXcede, eXcellerate offers consulting services that put Eddy and David’s operational knowledge directly to work for clients,  helping mining teams not just access better data, but understand what to do with it. It is the difference between a tool and a trusted partner who has stood in the same operational shoes.

The Power of the Right Information

For David, the genesis of iXcede was personal. After 30 years in the industry, what still draws him to mining is its people.

“I am a strong believer in people. People are the most adaptable creatures. When given the correct information, you would be surprised at what they can accomplish”.

Having witnessed the transformative effects of providing highly credible ‘like for like’ performance data to mining operators first-hand, David describes their behaviours as a moment of relief and revelation, a feeling of “finally”. Empowered by genuine insight into their own capabilities, operators become fiercely competitive, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of peak performance.

A Technology Built for Real Impact

That insight became the foundation for iXcede. Over two decades of deployment, the platform has proven to be a catalyst for substantial business growth, converting new data and improved performance into tangible financial gains in a matter of months.

What sets iXcede apart goes beyond productivity. The technology also promotes sustainability by optimising resource use across fuel, haulage costs, and roadwork, helping operations perform better while treading more lightly.

Ready to Improve Your Operation?

If you are looking for real, measurable gains in productivity and operational value, get in touch with the eXcellerate team.

And if the story behind iXcede resonates with you, we would love to hear from you. Find out how you can become part of what we are building.