Silicon Valley Group Promises More Investment

Silicon Valley's top innovators and business leaders have some strong advice for Ireland's emerging technology sector.

In a conference at Trinity College in Dublin last week Silicon Valley's Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) told the audience that Irish technology start-ups need to develop global ambitions if they want to attract overseas investors.

While in Ireland the group met with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen and President Mary McAleese, and stressed that Ireland needs to invest more in the technology sector.

The U.S. high tech delegation and invited entrepreneurs met with local Irish technology start-ups over two days, as 12 Irish firms pitched their investment ideas to potential American investors invited by the ITLG.

John Hartnett, a founder of the ITLG, was very pleased with the conference. Hartnett said despite the tough economic global economy, the event was a "huge success."

Said Hartnett, who hails from Limerick, "We got a spectacular reception in Ireland both from the government and various business leaders. It was done very well and we are very pleased."

The U.S. delegation of nearly 25 people came from Silicon Valley to attend the conference and was made up of leaders from companies like CISCO, Microsoft and Intel.

Said Hartnett, "We reached out to 150 Irish companies both north and south. We went through a process of bringing that group down to a top 12, and during our visit we met with the top 12."

The delegation was also received by the President in her home at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. According to Hartnett, the Irish Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Collins was a big part of the delegation.

"His participation is an example of how the Irish American relationship works so well and what can be done in terms of taking action," said Hartnett.

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Nster.com