Silicon Valley expo targeted by Enterprise Ireland - start-up companies look to expand their international reach

"The Launch: Silicon Valley 2012" to pitch businesses to global investors and their representatives.

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On June 5 at Microsoft HQ in Mountain View, California, SVForum and Enterprise Ireland will team up to offer an incredible opportunity to growing start-up companies looking to expand their international reach.

The Launch: Silicon Valley 2012 program is an annual opportunity for selected companies with strong workforces to pitch their businesses to global investors and their representatives.

This year, Enterprise Ireland officials - as part of Ireland’s recently launched International Start-up Fund – will offer up to $500,000 in seed funding to businesses able to demonstrate an interest in international growth, as well as a willingness to relocate to the Emerald Isle.

“In Ireland, startups work side by side with global players such as Facebook, Google, Zynga, Pfizer, Boston Scientific, Citibank and IBM to name but a few,” said David Smith of Enterprise Ireland. “Ireland’s vibrant start-up ecosystem offers entrepreneurs from around the world incubators and mentoring, entrepreneur friendly visa schemes, as well as a highly educated and skilled workforce.”

Heading into its seventh year, Launch: Silicon Valley is co-presented by SVForum, Garage Technology Ventures and Microsoft. The event has long served as a growth platform for countless cash-strapped startups in information technology, mobility, digital media, clean energy, and many other spheres.

“Working with Enterprise Ireland to bring this type of financial and market opportunity is the type of creative partnership that Silicon Valley and SVForum are all about,” said Chris Gill, president of SVForum’s board of directors.

This latest initiative by Enterprise Ireland is in keeping with the message of Taoiseach Enda Kenny who, on his recent trip to the US, strongly encouraged American investment in Ireland.

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