Irish Innovation Center Newsfeed

admin: News / Irish Technology Capital establishes European base in Limerick

2012-04-27T10:54:05-07:00

Irish Technology Capital (ITC) was established by Limerick-born technology entrepreneur John Hartnett and John Ryan, MacroVision founder, who is a general partner in the fund. Fellow Limerickmen Niall O'Connor, CIO of Apple, and Rory McInerney, vice-president of R&D at Intel, are current investors in the fund.

ITC will become the city's first ever venture-capital company, providing stimulus for emerging companies in the sector there.

The company will be based out of LIT's Enterprise Centre and will bring a range of services and supports for high-potential companies, including access to a multimillion euro fund and to a wider network of US-based angel funds and later-stage investment.

Announcing the establishment of the Limerick base for the fund, founder Hartnett said: "As a Limerick man I am delighted to be able to make Limerick the European headquarters for our emerging fund. One of the deciding factors in choosing Limerick for our European headquarters was the availability of high-growth potential companies at early stage and we are fully satisfied, based on our research here, that the wider Limerick region satisfies this requirement.

"Through our involvement with Limerick we have seen first-hand some outstanding examples of young technology companies and, based on this, we believe that there is definitely the level of innovation and enterprise required for emerging companies here to develop into extremely successful global operations.

"In addition to providing vital access to venture capital funds, we facilitate partnerships with successful technology companies, provide access to internationally experienced executives as well as providing a gateway to silicon valley for dynamic technology companies. We would like to thank LIT and it's president Dr Maria Hinfelaar for their support and, indeed, their persistence in convincing us to set up a base here for ITC."

Dr Hinfelaar commented: "We are delighted that ITC has agreed to establish its European headquarters here in Limerick. We have no doubt that the funds expansion will be very much evidenced in investments in exciting companies based in this region. The Irish Technology Capital Fund will also act as a gateway to Silicon Valley in supporting these companies.

"The potential access to funding and expertise of the ITC partners and, indeed, of their wider network of investors will be critical to these emerging companies. However, the location of the fund here will also shed a light on Limerick and the mid-eest region as a high-quality technology centre and destination for inward investment."

admin: News / CEO Show KLIV 1590

2012-04-27T10:51:59-07:00

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admin: News / Move urged on securing executives' free services

2012-04-27T10:49:32-07:00

John Hartnett, founder of the ITLG, this week revealed the latest list of recruits who want to offer their services for the initiative, which was announced at last year’s Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin Castle. The list includes executives from some of the world’s leading companies.

But Mr Hartnett said Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, who was keen on the project when it was first suggested last year, had not yet been in contact to finalise details of the scheme.

“I would urge the Government to move quickly on this,” Mr Hartnett said.

“These are not people who are used to waiting around, and this is a great opportunity for the Irish Government to use the skills and knowledge that these guys bring to the table. It’s an opportunity that should not be missed.”

A Government spokeswoman said that, as stated in the progress report on the Global Irish Economic Forum published last month, the Government has appointed non-residents to vacancies on State boards, including members of the Global Irish Network, as appropriate and on a case-by-case basis.

“The Government will continue to consider the appointment of suitably qualified members of the diaspora to State boards,” the progress report states.

So far, 14 leading executives have put their names forward for the initiative, which was one of the outcomes of last year’s Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin Castle.

All those on the list have Irish connections and say they are willing to take part because they want to help Ireland out of its economic difficulties.

Mr Hartnett said: “We have received an overwhelming response to the initiative from diaspora across the US, Europe, China and Japan.

“This is testament to the desire amongst the Irish abroad to support Ireland.

“The combined experience of the leaders that have joined to date could contribute huge expertise in areas like the commercialisation of research activities at third-level institutions, for example.”

The full list of executives who have so far put their names forward is: Conor Allen, global head of technology, NYSE Euronext, New York; Dennis Donohue, Mayor of Salinas, California; Harry Sweeney, founder, Paca Paca Farm, Japan; John Daly, Goldman Sachs Group, New York; John Ryan, founder of Macrovision, now Rovi; Kieran Hannon, vice-president, UBM Canon, Los Angeles, California; Liam Casey, founder and chief executive, PCH International, China; Martin Kelly, vice-president of worldwide information technology, Citrix Technology International; Paul Rellis, managing director, Microsoft Ireland; and Una Fox, vice-president of technology, Walt Disney Company, Los Angeles, California.

They join Hartnett with Tom McEnery, former mayor of San José, California; Rory McInerney, vice-president, Intel; and Barry O’Sullivan, senior vice-president, Cisco.

admin: News / Invest Drogheda Group make key connections on Trade Mission

2012-04-27T10:47:52-07:00

The city was recently represented by an Invest Drogheda delegation led by the Mayor Kevin Callan and Chamber President Padraic Kierans, with Graham O’Rourke of the Drogheda Enterprise Centre and a number of locally based businesses. The aim was to build on the success of the previous visit to the Irish Technology Leadership Group in San Jose, the centre of Silicon valley which has led to Drogheda becoming a Silicon Valley Gateway. The trade missions have been a part of the Local Heroes initiative and which have given Drogheda a very serious avenue to seek direct investment and job creation from the technology hub.

The key event attended was the 5th annual ITLG Innovation Summit in Santa Clara which was a two day gathering of top executives, entrepreneurs, and venture capital investors operating in Ireland and Silicon Valley. However the representatives from Drogheda also met with the Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton TD, the Counsel General, The Mayor of Dublin, Deputy Mayor of Cork, representatives of the ITLG, The IDA and Google.

The ‘Invest Drogheda’ delegation attracted national media coverage, with Chamber President Padraic Kierans being interviewed stateside for RTE Six One News, along with John O’Farrell of venture capital provider Andreesen Horowitz and Rory Mullen of IDA California.

Speaking on his return, the Mayor Kevin Callan said that this mission had once again been very successful and that Drogheda is now poised for inward investment and job creation.

“We have travelled to Silicon Valley twice in the past six months with very specific strategy objectives and I am extremely confident that we will see success in the near future. The Invest Drogheda Team which was made up of myself and the President of the Chamber, Michael Curran, Economic Development Director with Louth County Council and Graham O’Rourke of the Drogheda Enterprise Centre board and local businesses Hanley Energy who are energy and data centre specialists and Climote ltd who provide home heating controls. We have done considerable work to build on the connections previously made, we have held what I would describe as extremely constructive meetings on behalf of Drogheda as well as detailed meetings with the Minister and the IDA as well as many influential people when we attended the exclusive Silicon Valley 50 event which was also attended by the Mayor of Dublin and Deputy Mayor of Cork”.

The delegation also held meetings with Mayor Dennis Donohue of Drogheda’s sister City Salinas in California where the issues of technology and agriculture were discussed with key economic officials from the city council and also attended meetings at the Irish Innovation Centre in San Jose.

Chamber President Padraic Kierans said that, "the Local Heroes project has managed to raise the profile of Drogheda on the Boyne nationally and internationally. The recent 'Invest Drogheda' mission to the ITLG Innovation Summit in Silicon Valley, has allowed our team to strengthen existing investor relationships, and I am confident this will deliver jobs, investment and strategic partnerships for Drogheda in the future. We specifically proposed Drogheda as an investment location for Data Centre parks, which whilst not a massive employment lifeline, they are a real honey pot for attracting significant multinational technology companies, thereby delivering more jobs. The imminent development of the Drogheda Enterprise Centre, is key to attracting hi-tech start up's to the region, and will help us create very sustainable jobs, and offer incubation and growth opportunities for many years to come. The investment arm of ITLG are in talks with us presently, about a summer visit, and have tasked us with becoming the link between the ITLG and hi-potential start-up's in the area who are seeking venture capital investment. The IDA in California are now very familiar with all that Drogheda on the Boyne has to offer Silicon Valley companies seeking to locate in Ireland, and this will reap rewards for our city.

I would like to thank the 'Invest Drogheda' team, Mayor Kevin Callan, Graham O'Rourke, and Michael Curran, for their time and commitment, which will pay dividend for those seeking employment in Drogheda soon, however this level of engagement and profile building for Drogheda on the Boyne must continue way beyond this trip."

Hanley Energy who are currently located at Millmount in Drogheda said they were delighted to play an active part of the ‘Invest Drogheda Delegation’ at the recent ITLG Summit held in Silicon Valley.

“Much was accomplished – the networking potential was particularly remarkable. A further facet very much evident is that the Irish diaspora have a decisive unmistakable charisma that is offered unconditionally to Irish business leaders looking for opportunity in the USA and beyond. We look forward to embracing these many opportunities”, said Clive Gilmore CTO/ Co-Founder Hanley Energy Ltd.

Eamon Conway of Climote who took part in the trade mission said that it had been a success, “from our perspective it was a great opportunity to showcase our new remote heating control technology to key influencers in silicon valley . We were absolutely delighted with the feedback, with many commentators comparing climote to a US company called nest . nest was set up by the inventor of the apple i pod and iPhone to introduce consumer friendly thermostats for the American market. nest are rumoured to have secured over $50m investment , so to be compared with nest was a great endorsement of the team back in Louth, who have worked so hard to bring Climote to market. We are launching climote in Ireland and UK markets this year and we will then be focussing on market opportunities in USA".

Graham O’Rourke of the Drogheda Enterprise Centre stated that the trip developed out of the Local Heroes initiative and Drogheda was the only Irish location to have a stand and signage at the summit promoting Drogheda as a superb location for inward investment. Drogheda was also promoted as a candidate for future development of Datacentre parks, ticking all of the boxes from a fibre connectivity and power standpoint.

"Drogheda Enterprise Centre was delighted to facilitate two world class local startup companies in pitching for partners and investment at the ITLG Innovation Summit. Opportunity and investment for innovative Drogheda companies on a global scale is now possible through the unique links Drogheda Enterprise Centre has formed with Silicon Valley," said Graham O’Rourke.

Mayor Callan also attended the Google complex on the final day of his visit which was organised by Louth County Council and made representations on behalf of Drogheda as a strategic location of investment and access to key European markets for Google and all related enterprises.

“Google and all ancillary services not to mention companies associated with Google would find Drogheda to be an ideal base due to our location, educated workforce, and proximity to Dublin. This was a point I and the Chamber President raised at all times throughout the summit where we really have promoted Drogheda to the maximum, our sister city relationship with Salinas which is the closest city to San Jose which is twinned with Dublin was of benefit to us. I am confident our efforts will pay off in the near future, when you are representing Drogheda it gives you great pride and I wish to thank the team for all of their hard work and dedication.

admin: News / Five Irish firms win awards for cutting-edge technology

2012-04-27T10:25:45-07:00

In the category of biotech/cleantech, the winner was Cork-based Radisens Diagnostics, which is developing digital blood diagnostic devices. Founded in 2009 and led by chief executive Jerry O’Brien, the company opened a Boston office last year.

In the category of entertainment and gaming, the winner was OmniMotion Technology, a Dublin firm specialising in motion control games, simulations and applications for the sports, media and entertainment industries.

Rapt Touch Ltd won the hardware/semiconductor category. Founded in 2007, the Dublin company has developed technologies to enable touchscreens to be used in lower-cost devices.

Datahug, whose software allows organisations to manage their email more effectively, won the software and services/cloud category. Its software analyses email traffic to discover contacts, companies and relationship strengths.

For the mobile/social media/web award, the winner was RepKnight, which develops tools to monitor and analyse traffic on the web.

The ITLG- Irish Times Innovation Awards were presented at a gala dinner in Santa Clara last night.

Chaired by former Intel chief executive Craig Barrett and run by John Hartnett, ITLG now has more than 4,000 members worldwide and forms a global network of Irish and Irish diaspora technology industry executives focused on helping Irish technology companies succeed.

admin: News / Silicon Valley plays host to Irish awards

2012-04-27T10:23:40-07:00

Representatives from five Northern Ireland companies, which have been shortlisted as finalists for the fifth annual Irish Technology Leadership Group/Irish Times Technology Awards, are in Silicon Valley in California this week to attend the awards ceremony.

The shortlisted Northern Ireland companies include Digital Jet in the entertainment and gaming category; Smyth Research in the hardware/semiconductor category; and Aepona, Phlok, and RepKnight in the mobile/social media/web category.

admin: News / 'Ireland Inc' hits the road

2012-04-27T10:20:14-07:00

POLITICIANS and industry heads alike will be on the road this week, promoting the good news of “Ireland Inc” ahead of St Patrick’s Day.The week kicks off with the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) summit in Silicon Valley, which is expected to attract record-breaking levels of attendance. Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton will be in attendance, as will more than 100 Irish companies and a number of delegations from towns around the country. Having lost out to close neighbour Dundalk for Paypal’s 1,000 new jobs, for example, a team representing Drogheda Chamber of Commerce will be hoping to attract some new investment to the town.

Meanwhile in Boston and New York, the Irish Funds Industry Association will be accompanied by IFSC Ireland chairman and former taoiseach John Bruton on a funds roadshow. Last year, the Irish industry bucked the trend by continuing to report an increase in fund values, but now faces challenges such as the US Fatca, or the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

The following Monday, the New York Stock Exchange will host “Ireland Day”, a global summit at which Taoiseach Enda Kenny will present, and the Green IFSC will launch, a new initiative in green asset management.

admin: News / Pulling on the green jersey can pay off

2012-04-27T10:01:10-07:00

The public exposure and access to power that St Patrick’s Day affords represents a unique opportunity that Irish businesses need to exploit to better effect

THE WORN cliché of “pulling on the green jersey” will be bandied about ad nauseam in the excited climax to St Patrick’s Day, amid an exodus to shore up support for Brand Ireland. But businesses are almost universally agreed that March 17th, a unique one-day gateway to the international arena, has benefits that can infiltrate the other 364 days of the year.

John Hartnett, founder and president of the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) based in Silicon Valley, has been working with US companies for 14 years and believes March 17th is a “phenomenal platform” that no other country can boast of. Ultimately, it lends itself to high-level access, once-off networking, invaluable press opportunities and, often, new contacts and contracts.

But while Hartnett is complimentary of the work undertaken by the Government to promote Irish businesses and investment opportunities abroad using St Patrick’s Day as the launch pad, he is critical of the “love affair” with Washington and New York, when places such as Silicon Valley and Hollywood are key areas of employment and opportunity.

“The Taoiseach might be better off coming here with a bowl of shamrocks to Mark Zuckerberg ,” says Hartnett. “We need to be very relevant . . . One week in a year doesn’t do business. You have to be relevant 52 weeks of the year. Showing up one week in a year is not going to do the business. It will open doors and give great access, but you have to be here and have to be relevant 52 weeks of the year.”

And that means building on what Hartnett calls the “four pillars” of the United States: Washington DC, Wall Street, Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Hence, the ITLG runs events year-round, sometimes in March but also in April or September. Its immediate focus is the ITLG Innovation Summit on March 12th and March 13th, separate to the March 17th festivities but likely to tap into heightened awareness of all things Irish.

Often, business groups offering access to specialised suppliers in the US can charge membership fees of up to $5,000 in “hello money”, according to Director of Eirtight Technology and Managing Director of BuyIreland.com, John Beckett. “That’s not a joke when you’re a small start-up – and why Enterprise Ireland is great, in that it’s doing introductions to target businesses directly,” says Beckett, who is hugely complimentary of the State agency’s networking abilities.

And as someone with dealings in 30 different countries and who has previously targeted large businesses such as WalMart, around March 17th, he knows the restrictions and realities of the annual trade missions. Often the investors taking part abroad are those already in contact with an Irish company, and so the event itself becomes a “final tipping point”, according to Beckett.

“It’s very difficult to overstate the importance of it . It’s so valuable to us – 99 per cent of people dont realise how valuable,” he says. The marketing push and publicity around March 17th means the company is remembered again in September when people start thinking towards Christmas. “If you didn’t have that push in March, you would have never gotten the roll over in September,” says Beckett.

And it seems March 17th and the ministerial trips with companies on board can lead to long-term contacts and contracts. Brian McArdle of Hi-Spec engineering in Carlow was part of the Irish delegation to Germany last year with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Richard Bruton. The company, a manufacturer of diet feeders for dairy and cattle farming, used the opportunity to announce a new joint venture with German company Europe Dairy Systems.

“We got names and numbers and advice from people who were in the market before us, who could talk to us about the pitfalls, the dos and don’ts . . . It gave a big boost. It was a big help,” McArdle says of the “shop-window” event, which introduced him to people who remain contacts today. “But you still have to go on and do the groundwork. With something like that, there is so much goodwill – and you have to remember that business is simple, but you can make it as difficult as you want. Agriculture is a personal thing, it’s about building relationships.”

Echoing that testimony is Andrew Kavanagh, chief executive of animation company Kavaleer, who brought a client to the St Patrick’s Day event hosted by Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton in London last year. A deal with the client followed, but Kavanagh says the event also helped promote Ireland’s business culture on the night and hammered home the “right message” about doing business in Ireland.

Kevin Sherry, head of international sales and partnering with Enterprise Ireland, says each of the ministerial trips abroad has a trade aspect attached, providing for access to “key influencers that is difficult to get at other times of the year”. Such contacts can influence where investments take place in the US and become long-term contact points. “For a small open trading economy, where exports are our lifeblood, it’s about those relationships,” says Sherry.

QVC is one such example. Every year on St Patrick’s Day, the shopping channel throws open 24-hour coverage to Irish products, with potential final sales of more than $10 million. It taps directly into the 11 per cent of the US population claiming Irish heritage and beyond.

After 12 years of appearing on QVC, managing director of Fragrances of Ireland, David Cox, can testify to its wide-ranging 24-hour impact. The publicity and exposure of being beamed into 120 million households helps boost recognition every year, on top of helping to sell upwards of 10,000 bottles of perfume (such as its most popular fragrance Inis) from a 20-minute TV slot. This year with St Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday, the time slot for Irish companies and their products has been reduced from 24 hours to 11 hours. And with that, the companies formed an ad-hoc marketing group called Irish Truly on Facebook and created some YouTube videos in an effort to drum up attention ahead of March 17th outside of the US trade fairs they partake in year-round.

ISME , ICT Ireland, the Small Firms Association [SFA] and the Irish Exporters Association are all agreed with the likes of the IDA’s Barry O’Leary who describes it as a “very valuable opportunity” which Ireland’s competitors do not have. Others such as IBEC’s head of trade policy, Pat Ivory, says that because Ireland’s international reputation was seriously damaged by the economic crisis, rebuilding the country’s image abroad is crucial to future success.

For a country that exports more than 80 per cent of everything that it produces, trade missions are an important way to profile Irish companies. Frank Barry, professor of international business development in Trinity College Dublin, believes the March 17th publicity and ministerial missions represent an “unbelievably good opportunity”, giving access to the White House and increasing the country’s profile in the foreign press. “We are far better known among the foreign business community than almost any other country of equivalent size,” Barry says. He concedes observers will never be able to identify a particular project that is drawn to Ireland simply because of St Patrick’s Day. “This is all about the long game,” he adds.

admin: News / Promoting Drogheda in USA

2012-04-27T09:26:53-07:00

THE MAYOR of Drogheda, Kevin Callan and Chamber President, Padraic Kierans are again heading to America to promote Drogheda and try to encourage investment into the town.

The pair will attend a two day technology summit in Santa Clara on March 12th and 13th.

Last year a key connection was made between the Boyne Valley and Silicon Valley when a delegation from Drogheda, led by the Mayor and Mr Kierans, secured a €50,000 investment in the new Drogheda Enterprise Centre which will begin construction in the coming months and secured Drogheda the title of Silicon Valley Gateway with the Irish Technology Leadership Group in San Jose, California, the centre of Silicon Valley.

This initiative was begun with the assistance of Senator Fergal Quinn and the Local Heroes initiative and now the town will once again play a role in creating links with key Irish Americans who play critical roles in Silicon Valley and who will be targeted in respect of inward investment to Drogheda.

Speaking about their return trip to the USA in March, Mayor Callan said: ' This is an opportunity for Drogheda to not only promote the town but to liaise with key figures who are involved in the Irish American connection. Cities such as Dublin will be represented and after we have done so much to create real relationships with Silicon Valley, we must maintain the momentum and build on the work done last year. Not only are we now a Silicon Valley Gateway, we have a sister city, Salinas located beside San Jose, Dublin is twinned with San Jose and Cork with San Francisco.'

The 5th annual ITLG summit is a two day gathering of top executives, venture capital investors operating in Ireland and Silicon Valley.

'I will be working closely with the Chamber President and the Business Development Unit of Louth County Council ahead of the summit to ensure maximum results and we are trying to secure other meetings during the visit as we did with the San Jose Chamber and the Mayor of Salinas on our last trade mission,' he added.

In recent weeks, Drogheda has also received visits from the Mayor of its sister city, Salinas and ITLG member Dennis Donohue and Cian Hughes of the ITLG.

Chamber President Padraic Kierans is optimistic about the new relationships and commented: 'We have created unique links with our business associates in ITLG and of course the diaspora in Silicon Valley. The ITLG Summit will feature the 5th Annual ITLG/IRISH Times Innovation Awards which have been expanded this year to cover five categories, with a shortlist of 20 companies travelling to the Summit. The 20 companies were selected by the ITLG following an extensive review of approximately 100 companies at a series of pitch sessions at DCU and University of Ulster Belfast last October and November.'

admin: News / Return to the Valley

2012-04-27T09:25:10-07:00

Last summer, the University of Wales Global Academy established an office in Silicon Valley, California, the global centre for innovative and entrepreneurial businesses.

Based at the Irish Innovation Centre (IIC) in San Jose, the self-proclaimed capital of Silicon Valley, the aim of the office is to provide a presence for Welsh businesses that felt ready to present their innovation technology to potential investors, taking advantage of the soft-landing that the IIC provides to companies already based there.

As most of you are no doubt aware, Silicon Valley is where some of the leading high technology businesses in the World are to be found, with great companies such as Apple, Cisco, eBay, Google, Hewlett Packard, Intel and Yahoo having their corporate headquarters located there.

And of course, let’s not forget that it is also the home of Facebook, a company that was started in a bedroom eight years ago but which, in the next few months, will undertake a stock market flotation that is estimated to value the company at $100bn (£65bn), making billionaires of its founders and backers, including Mark Zuckerberg, who is still only 27 years of age.

However, the region has faced some challenges over the last few years and like every other part of the USA, even the Silicon Valley economy was not immune to the severest recession since the 1920s. But similar to the aftermath of the dot.com bubble burst a decade ago, it is mounting yet another remarkable comeback. In fact, according to a recent review of the region, more than 42,000 new jobs were created in 2011, which represented an increase of 3.8 per cent as compared to the US average of 1.1 per cent.

Innovation has also begun to fire again, with patent registrations increasing by 30 per cent in twelve months. And venture capital investment increased by 17 per cent with a specific focus on biotechnology and medical devices. In 2011, around a third of venture capital invested nationwide - £5bn - went to Silicon Valley companies.

These are some of the reasons why I am passionate about getting companies from Wales to visit. Even by having a small Welsh presence in the region, there is the potential to make a difference, especially as we have been building up our links through specifically working with the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) that manages the Innovation Centre.

Established in 2007, the ITLG is a non‐profit group of senior Irish executives from around the world, including some of Silicon Valley's leading corporations, each of whom is committed to promoting the technology connection with major markets in the USA.

By recognising us as fellow Celts who want to work alongside our Irish cousins to develop our respective economies, the ITLG has given us a platform to potentially connect entrepreneurs, technology companies, academics, students and government officials to Silicon Valley.

Over the next few years, we aim to work with the ITLG to make the most of this opportunity through trade missions, networking events, executive introductions and strategic business planning meetings.
The first real opportunity to do this will take place next month, when we lead an innovation mission to San Jose. We are only intending to take a small group this time as a precursor to a more extensive visit later this year but if you would like to come along then please get in touch and I am sure we can fit you in.

The main attraction of this visit will be the annual ITLG innovation summit. Thisis a two-day gathering which presents attendees with an inside look at the cutting-edge technology, business and political trends that are creating the most exciting and proﬁtable new opportunities in the world. It will give those who attend the chance to meet venture capitalists, discuss their products and services with other entrepreneurs and technologists and, most importantly, network with other innovative individuals. The organisers are also hoping to have Cardiff-born Michael Moritz, one of the most successful venture capitalists of his generation, attend the event.

The major sponsor of the summit is the venture capital house Andreessen Horowitz, a company set up by Netscape founder Marc Andreessen with the aim of investing in new starts ups. Only last month, it raised a billion pounds for a new fund that will not only be investing in software companies but also in industries such as healthcare and education. Imagine what a boost it would be for our economy if such a world renowned company would consider investing in a business from Wales.

As Sir Terry Matthews, the Newport-born serial high-tech entrepreneur, said last year when the Global Academy announced the decision to have a presence in California, "San Jose and the remainder of Silicon Valley continue as a major concentration of high technology companies and venture capitalists. The new Welsh Innovation Office will be a significant benefit to any new company looking to enter the market for sales opportunities or access to sources of capital.”

No one could disagree with such a statement but it will only be a success if Welsh companies make the effort to come across and show the investors in Silicon Valley that our products and technologies are as good as any in the World.

I look forward to seeing you there in the future.

admin: News / State Board Members invited to waive Fees

2012-04-27T09:14:22-07:00

Annual fees for individuals on the estimated 120 State boards range from €6,000-€14,000 for ordinary members and from €11,000-€29,000 for chairmen. In addition, they are entitled to travel expenses.

Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin has written to personnel officers in Government departments advising that any serving or future board members be “given the option to waive the related board fee on a discretionary basis”.

The move is likely to have been influenced by the US-based Irish Technology Leadership Group which is creating a panel of 100 Irish executives based overseas who are willing to serve on State boards free of charge between now and 2016.

Among those who have already made themselves available for board appointments are Tom McEnery, former mayor of San Jose; Barry O’Sullivan, a vice-president with Cisco; Rory McInerney, an Intel vice-president; Una Fox of the Walt Disney Company; and Conor Allen, vice-president of the technology division of the New York Stock Exchange.

Mr Howlin’s letter, details of which appear in today’s Leinster Leader, asks departments to ensure State bodies proceed with the changes immediately. Officials say the request may not yield major savings, but will at least give members the formal option of forgoing payment when they are appointed.

“It’s a discretionary move,” said one official. “Payment is there to recognise the work that people do. But if some choose not to take it, then there’s a facility to do that.”

admin: News / ITLG and Ryan Academy to partner for Entrepreneurship Programmes

2012-04-27T08:52:50-07:00

The Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) and DCU’s Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurship are aiming to stimulate economic growth through a partnership announced today to deliver Kauffman entrepreneurship and innovation programmes in Ireland and Silicon Valley.

The Missouri-based Kauffman Foundation, which was set up in the 1960s and has an asset base of around US$2bn, is a world authority on entrepreneurial innovation and economic growth. According to the foundation, over 40pc of new job growth will come from new start-up companies.

The foundation works through a network of global partners to “advance an entrepreneurial society in which job creation, innovation, and the economy flourish”. The ITLG is the Irish Kauffman global network partner.

The partnership will lead a number of offerings, including the Kauffman FastTrac TechVenture and GrowthVenture programmes. FastTrac TechVenture is designed to give technology- or science-based entrepreneurs a proven framework to develop a good idea into a great innovation. FastTrac GrowthVenture, meanwhile, is designed for businesses that are already launched and is based on proven strategies to enable those companies to achieve sustainable growth.

Today’s announcement is part of the ITLG’s diaspora innovation strategy that will deliver world leading entrepreneurship programmes and policies to entrepreneurs and technologists in Ireland and Silicon Valley.

The DCU Ryan Academy already delivers a range of initiatives (including the Propeller Accelerator Fund) for the development and encouragement of entrepreneurship and innovation in Ireland through training, supports and investment programmes. The partnership with ITLG will enhance this portfolio of activities significantly through the introduction of international best practice in the field.

“I am particularly excited about the partnership of the DCU Ryan Academy with ITLG to deliver world-class Kauffman programmes as this will strengthen significantly our ability to stimulate and support entrepreneurial and innovation activity for the benefit of the Irish economy,” said Prof Brian MacCraith, president of Dublin City University.

“In Silicon Valley, 95pc of job creation comes from locally based companies,” said John Hartnett, president and founder, ITLG. “We are uniquely positioned to link Irish based technology innovation sources to the well established technology regions of the United States.”

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admin: News / 'Boot camp' for tech start-ups

2011-12-29T08:56:00-07:00

The first fruits of the relationship will be a “CEO boot camp” which will take place in Silicon Valley next March as part of the group’s Irish Innovation Summit.

During the two-day event the group will publish its annual Silicon Valley 50 list of the most influential Irish and Irish American business people in the US technology industry. The winners of the ITLG/Irish Times company of the year awards will also be announced.

John Hartnett, founder and president of the group, said the partnership with Kauffman would address an issue his organisation had identified when working with Irish start-ups who were looking to expand into the US market.

“When a Californian entrepreneur pitches their company they make it sound like a Ferrari but sometimes when you examine it you see it has a Volkswagen engine,” said Mr Hartnett. “The Irish companies we see call it a Volkswagen but when you examine it there’s a Ferrari inside.”

The group intends to create a version of the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac course, which helps accelerate the time between start-up idea and foundation of a business, tailored for Irish start-ups.

“It will be aimed at chief executives who have set up their company, have a product and want to accelerate their growth,” said Mr Hartnett.

“It’s a very well recognised course and we will run it in Silicon Valley and Ireland.”

admin: News / The top business videos of 2011

2011-12-29T08:49:37-07:00

The economic climate dominated 2011's business landscape in Ireland. Technology and industries like biopharma remain the few bright spots in the Irish economy and the leading areas of job creation, thanks to the efforts of IDA Ireland.

It was also a year that saw entrepreneurs and business leaders emerge, offering hope for the future and ultimately a better way of doing things.

Denis Collins' inspired leadership of the it@cork industry group shows how the technology industry can positively impact on a region, for example.

In Silicon Valley, Irish business leaders like John Hartnett are mobilising the diaspora and establishing Irish economic outposts in Silicon Valley, Hollywood and Wall Street, while in Iceland, the emergence of an ideas economy is the key to economic recovery.

admin: News / Limerick Leader

2011-12-27T14:09:03-07:00

Originally from Limerick, John Hartnett is now a hugely influential figure in Silicon Valley and the driving force behind a range of initiatives and organisations, including the Irish Technology
Leadership Group. He talks to Grainne Rothery

"The ITLG is a network and a platform that can create access to customers and access to talent.
They're the three things that companies need most."

Irish Director - Winter 2011

admin: News / ITLG allies with Kauffman Foundation for diaspora innovation strategy

2011-12-27T14:07:27-07:00

The Irish Technology Leadership Group has forged a major partnership with the global authority on entrepreneurship, the Kauffman Foundation, which will result in the development of a diaspora innovation strategy to deliver world-leading entrepreneurship programmes and policies to Irish start-ups.

Silicon Republic

admin: News / Trip to US brings $50,000 boost for enterprise centre

2011-12-27T14:06:08-07:00

'I am absolutely thrilled that the soon to be built Drogheda Enterprise Centre, is now a 'Gateway to Silicon Valley' through a unique partnership with the ITLG, which has offered a $50,000 support package to the centre,' says Chamber President Padraic Kierans.

Drogheda Independent

admin: News / Bay Area execs' Diaspora 2016 gives back to Ireland

2011-12-27T14:05:02-07:00

Bay Area executives and entrepreneurs of Irish descent are joining forces to help revive the economy of their ancestral country. Called Diaspora 2016, the initiative aims to create a global pool of industry leaders with Irish roots who will volunteer to serve on Irish state boards until 2016.

admin: News / Patently the best route

2011-12-27T14:02:43-07:00

Northern Ireland could be registering up to 200 more patents a year by 2030, according to Science Park data. When the Irish Technology Leadership Group visited Belfast recently, chair John Hartnett (a Silicon Valley-based based CEO) said: “Belfast can claim to be the capital of creativity in Europe.”

Belfast Telegraph

admin: Articles / JonMichael Bukosky, Managing Partner, United Venture Partners

2011-12-12T15:42:16-07:00

Jon brings rich digital entertainment and content experience to UVP, as well as his relationships with major entertainment and media companies, mobile operators and content creators globally. A brand strategist in emerging digital technologies,

Jon leverages his many connections to build the company’s library of brand partners and quality content and innovative gaming technologies. He has been an integral part of the mobile evolution, having held executive positions at prominent digital & mobile corporations, including VeriSign, m-Qube, MOVISO and USWeb/CKS.

Jon also serves on the advisory board of Silicon Valley’s Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG), is a member of the New Media Council at Producers Guild of America (PGA) and continues to advise & represent leading brands and digital companies both here and abroad.

admin: Articles / Craig Barrett - ITLG Chairman

2011-12-09T12:49:32-07:00

Craig R. Barrett was Chairman of the Board of Intel Corporation from May, 2005 to May, 2009. He became Intel's fourth President in May of 1997 and Chief Executive Officer in 1998. He was elected to Intel's Board of Directors in 1992 and served as Chief Operating Officer from 1993 to 1997. Barrett began his tenure at Intel as a Technology Development manager in 1974.

Prior to joining Intel, Dr. Barrett was an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

admin: Events / Silicon Valley Holiday Business Mixer

2011-12-02T16:24:37-07:00

On Dec 8th the Irish Innovation Center will play host to the Silicon Valley Holiday Business mixer. Enjoy wine, live music, entertainment and international gourmet appetizers!

We will be joined by a group of 30 Investors and 90 Startup Founders at 8.30pm who will be part of PitchCrawl .

Excibitors include:

2MeArt Marketing
Bay Area Equity Group
CleanSpace Now
Golden Gate University
Hewlett-Packard
Miguel Olivo, CPA
New Tang Dynasty Television
Peter Cassara Clothiers
San Jose Athletic Club
Sprint
YourBizListing

This is a great way to begin the holiday season!

BOOK NOW!

admin: Forums / Welcome to the IIC Travel Info Thread

2011-11-28T09:46:00-07:00

Welcome to the IIC Travel Info Thread

Let us help you with your travel arrangements to the IIC office from flights, accommodation and local attractions / routes to take while here in San Jose. For member companies, feel free to add your experiences and extra information.

admin: Forums / Welcome to the IIC Support Thread

2011-11-28T09:44:12-07:00

Welcome to the IIC Support Thread

Get support to your issues at the IIC, ask questions, get answers, simple. We are here to help each business so reach out to us.

admin: Forums / Welcome to the IIC Suggestions / Website Bugs Thread

2011-11-28T09:42:14-07:00

Welcome to the IIC Suggestions / Website Bugs Thread

Post your suggestions to how make the IIC as a space better and website suggestions / bugs you find along the way here.

admin: Forums / Welcome to the IIC Networking Thread

2011-11-28T09:40:34-07:00

Welcome to the IIC Networking Thread

Connect with your IIC peers, share important contacts and let's reach out to help each other with networking opportunities.

admin: Forums / Welcome to the IIC Resident Company News Thread

2011-11-28T09:39:07-07:00

Welcome to the IIC Resident Company News Thread

Post your company annoucements & share newsworthy details to your felllow peers at the IIC.

admin: Forums / Welcome to the IIC Announcements Thread

2011-11-28T09:37:52-07:00

Welcome to the IIC Announcements Thread

For IIC Staff announcements to IIC companies.

admin: Forums / Welcome to the General Forum Thread

2011-11-28T09:36:17-07:00

Welcome to the General Forum Thread

Post your general threads here.

admin: Blogs / New IIC Website Launch

2011-11-26T08:40:38-07:00

The Irish Innovation Center website has received a major revamp to represent the exciting new changes to the center.

We will be adding much more to the website over the coming months and into 2012. For start-ups already in the IIC who are both here and back in Ireland, the website has expanded with new private area's to connect everyone in an virtual setting with plenty of goodies. If your a new Irish innovation start-up or an exciting start-up in the Valley, take a look around our website to see how we can help your new business take-off!

A community is very important to any center and we will be expanding the website with this in mind for all members. Why not check out our current members at the Irish Innovation Center - Here -

We would like to say a big thank you to all our supporters, the ITLG, ITC, SVG Partners and members of the Irish Innovation Center. The innovation of this website is using an Irish CMS technology platform to power it from one of our IIC members - Wiccle.

admin: Events / HOLLYWOOD COMES to BELFAST

2011-11-26T08:04:06-07:00

» DETAILS

admin: Events / SILICON VALLEY COMES TO IRELAND

2011-11-26T08:01:58-07:00

» DETAILS

admin: Events / Innovation in Entertainment

2011-11-26T07:47:09-07:00

» DETAILS

admin: Events / SOCIAL MEDIA DAY

2011-11-26T07:44:37-07:00

June 30, 2011
SAN JOSE DECLARES JUNE 30 SOCIAL MEDIA DAY

This event took place at the Irish Innovation Center on June 30, 2011

Social media has, in just a few short years, become an indispensable part of the fabric of our lives. One question I would certainly put to this panel would be, “How do we prevent ourselves from becoming complacent about the possibilities that social media has to offer all of us and not take it for granted?”

One answer would be to keep taking the opportunity to engage with the opportunities that the technologies of social media and social networking afford us whenever they arise.

EVENT DETAIL | EVENT GALLERY | NEW TECH POST ARTICLE | SILICON REPUBLIC ARTICLE

admin: Events / ITLG 4TH TECHNOLOGY LEADERS AWARDS

2011-11-26T07:43:14-07:00

THE ITLG 4^TH ANNUAL SILICON VALLEY TECHNOLOGY LEADERS AWARDS
STANFORD UNIVERSITY, STANFORD CA
Tuesday, April 5^th 2011

» DETAILS

admin: Events / SILICON VALLEY COMES TO IRELAND

2011-11-26T07:40:53-07:00

THE IRISH TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP GROUP PRESENTS
“SILICON VALLEY COMES TO IRELAND”

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
3rd annual "Silicon Valley Comes to Ireland" event held in
partnership with the University of Limerick, NUI Galway and Shannon Development
» EVENT VIDEO

admin: Events / Key business influencers reinforce NI

2011-11-26T07:38:01-07:00

ENTERPRISE MINISTER ARLENE FOSTER AND DECLAN KELLY, U.S. ECONOMIC ENVOY TO NORTHERN IRELAND TRAVELLED TO CALIFORNIA'S SILICON VALLEY TO PROMOTE NORTHERN IRELAND AS AN INVESTMENT LOCATION.

During the four-day visit, they met with key business influencers and companies to reinforce the Northern Ireland proposition.
June 22, 2010

admin: Events / IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

2011-11-26T07:29:20-07:00

IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
A Reception Welcoming the Irish Innovation Center to San José
May 26, 2010
Watch Video

Irish Innovation Center Business Mixer from NPG on Vimeo.

admin: Events / IRISH INNOVATION CENTER LAUNCH CEREMONY

2011-11-26T07:15:00-07:00

IRISH INNOVATION CENTER LAUNCH CEREMONY, Sponsors: The ITLG and the City of San Jose
Sunday, March 14, 2010 - Dean Machin Photography

Taoiseach Brian Cowen - Watch Video
Craig Barrett, ITLG Chairman - Watch Video
John Hartnett, ITLG Founder - Watch Video

Chuck Reed, Mayor of San Jose - Watch Video
Tom McEnery, Former Mayor of San Jose - Watch Video

admin: Video / Emily Chang Interview Craig Barrett

2011-11-26T06:48:16-07:00

admin: Video / John Hartnett, Founder ITLG - Lord Mayor Conference

2011-11-26T06:46:53-07:00

admin: Video / Irish Innovation Center Unveiling, San Jose, CA, March 14, 2010

2011-11-26T06:43:33-07:00

admin: Video / San Jose social media day

2011-11-26T06:41:08-07:00

admin: Video / Tom McEnery 2010 ITLG Technology Awards Event at Stanford University

2011-11-26T06:39:38-07:00

admin: Video / Barrett Interview on Ireland's Growth Prospects

2011-11-26T06:34:36-07:00

admin: Video / John Hartnett (ITLG Founder & President) speaks at the ITLG Awards event 2011

2011-11-26T06:31:45-07:00

admin: Video / Innovation in Entertainment - Conor MacCormack interview

2011-11-26T06:29:58-07:00

admin: Video / ITLG Overview

2011-11-26T06:27:31-07:00

admin: Video / Tom McEnery Irish Innovation Center Launch Ceremony, San Jose, CA March 14, 2010

2011-11-26T06:24:46-07:00

admin: Video / Irish Flock to Tech Hub - Irish Innovation Center

2011-11-26T06:22:48-07:00

admin: forums / IIC Zone

2011-11-28T09:10:53-07:00

Irish Innovation Forum Zone

admin: blogs / IIC Blog

2011-11-26T08:15:07-07:00

Irish Innovation Center Blog

admin: video / IIC Videos

2011-11-26T06:12:27-07:00

Irish Innovation Center Videos

admin: gallery / IIC Gallery

2011-11-26T03:41:16-07:00

Irish Innovation Center Gallery

admin: articles / Biographies

2011-12-09T12:47:03-07:00

admin: forums / Travel Info / Accom

2011-11-28T09:34:55-07:00

Travel Information to & around Silicon Valley + Accommodation Details

admin: forums / Suggestions / Website Bugs

2011-11-28T09:19:00-07:00

Suggestions for the IIC and Website Bugs Forum

admin: forums / Networking / Contacts

2011-11-28T09:17:42-07:00

Networking Forum for all Companies to share contacts, help each other with networking

admin: forums / Support / Q&A

2011-11-28T09:16:23-07:00

Support + Questions / Answers

admin: forums / General Forum

2011-11-28T09:15:32-07:00

General Forum for Everything else!

admin: forums / IIC Announcements

2011-11-28T09:14:22-07:00

IIC Announcements to Residents / Virtual

admin: forums / IIC Resident Company News

2011-11-28T09:13:21-07:00

Important & Newsworthy Announcements from the IIC Resident Companies

admin: blogs / IIC Start-ups

2011-11-26T08:20:29-07:00

Start-ups in the Irish Innovation Center

admin: blogs / Silicon Valley

2011-11-26T08:19:37-07:00

IIC Silicon Valley

admin: blogs / Ireland

2011-11-26T08:19:13-07:00

IIC Ireland

admin: blogs / Innovation

2011-11-26T08:18:39-07:00

IIC Innovation

admin: blogs / IIC Website

2011-11-26T08:17:42-07:00

IIC Website

admin: blogs / IIC Office

2011-11-26T08:16:04-07:00

IIC Office

admin: events / ITLG Events

2011-11-26T07:09:32-07:00

Irish Technology Leadership Group

admin: events / IIC Events

2011-11-26T07:07:59-07:00

Irish Innovation Center Events

admin: video / IIC Videos

2011-11-26T06:13:45-07:00

IIC Video Gallery

admin: news / IIC News

2011-11-26T05:11:39-07:00

Irish Innovation Center News

admin: news / News Achieve

2011-11-26T04:35:48-07:00

Irish Innovation Center News Achieve

admin: gallery / IIC Photos

2011-11-26T03:42:31-07:00

Irish Innovation Center Photos