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Silicon Valley expats working to enhance tech links
By Noreen Bowden | September 2, 2008
The Irish Technology Leadership Group, a California-based business network, has announced it will visit Ireland to encourage Irish start-up companies interested in doing business in the US. The ITLG, which was launched last year, is comprised of Irish and Irish-American technology leaders in Silicon Valley. They are committed to helping Ireland address the challenges of embracing new technology opportunities.
From November 19 to 21, the group will host the ITLG Venture Capital Forum at Trinity College in Dublin. The event will include a series of workshops and networking opportunities for a selection of promising Irish technology start-ups. President Mary McAleese will host a reception for the group at �ras an Uachtaráin.
John Hartnett, senior vice-president of global markets at Palm in Silicon Valley, told the Silicon Republic news service earlier this year that the group intends to use their experience in Silicon Valley to inform Irish policy-makers.
“The guys sitting around the table are a who’s who of technology in Silicon Valley and therefore we’ve got our finger on the pulse of what’s happening in areas like semiconductors, Web 2.0 and social networking. What we see on a day to day basis will be invaluable in helping the Irish education system gear up for future opportunities.
“We will also work with IDA Ireland in terms of understanding what it takes to compete here and land the big projects. Ireland has had a tremendous track record in attracting top technology companies across the US and we need to be really smart in how we continue to do this going forward. We’re not going to win deals the same way we did for the last 15 years.�
He noted that the group has attracted attention beyond Silicon Valley:
“It’s like we put a giant Irish flag on the moon. A lot of success stories of Irish business people living and working in places like San Diego, Boston and New York are being revealed to us and it’s very impressive.�
Further reading:
Irish giants of Silicon Valley to save knowledge economy – Silicon Republic
Giants of Silicon Valley to descend on Dublin – Silicon Republic (1 September 2008)
The Greening of Silicon Valley. Irish America Magazine (April/May 08)
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