Capturing All-Island Business - a Missed Opportunity for the Tech Sector
by Startacus Admin
.png)
The first Innovation Island Connect event hailed a success and paving the way for more cross-border collaboration for SaaS companies and professional services firms on the island of Ireland.
.jpg)
A recent report by the Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) highlighted the low level of tech services between the Republic and Northern Ireland. To address this, Startacus have partnered with TechIreland, another organisation that promotes the tech startup sector on the island to organise a series of cross-border business networking events. The first event took place recently at the SaaStock conference in Dublin’s RDS. The event involved enterprise software businesses and companies that offer Software-as-a-Service from across the island and saw an overwhelming participation by tech companies, investors and support agencies from both sides of the border. Subsequent events will focus on other technology and business sectors and will take place in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The meetup was organised with support from InterTradeIreland’s Synergy initiative. Synergy is a cross-border cluster initiative set up by InterTradeIreland, the cross-border trade and business development body. It aims to scale cross-border collaboration among SMEs and other players such as universities, third sector organisations and government agencies using cluster and networking supports.
.png)
The overall event series is called “Innovation Island Connect” and the participants are selected to ensure real potential synergy among the attendees. As the organisers remarked, “If you can bring people together who have shared business expertise and goals and encourage them to network, that is when the magic happens”.
For Northern Irish companies, this was an opportunity to meet with similar tech companies in the Republic, identify those that are selling or hope to sell into the UK market, and explore ways to collaborate. Investors from both sides of the border were excited to meet some of the best startups building innovative products on the island.
The networking session was kicked off by one of Ireland’s most successful tech entrepreneurs, Peter Coppinger, CEO of Cork-based Teamwork, a company that fully understands the benefit of an all-island approach – they have offices in both Cork and Belfast.
.png)
Over one thousand cross-border ‘exploratory meetings’ came out of the 90-minute speed-networking session and over 650 ‘solid meetings’ were reported. 99% of the participants agreed the event had paved the way for cross-border collaboration and that they hope to do business together as an outcome.
Responding to the event, InterTradeIreland’s Damien McConville said, ‘‘We’re thrilled by the interest, support and enthusiasm shown by tech leaders and investors in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. The survey results are a testimony to the benefits of bringing businesses together where they can clearly recognise the opportunities of cross-border collaboration.”
We appreciate the strong support provided by all sponsors including InterTradeIreland, Beachhut, Enterprise Ireland, Ethico, SaaS Network Ireland, SaaStock and Waypoint.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Tech Nation calls for tangible support to secure capital, talent, growth and exits needed to accelerate the growth of UK tech in decade ahead.
Glasgow-based This is Milk seeks investment for Neve Learning, its cloud-based Ed-Tech platform that has inclusivity and accessibility at its core.
.jpg)
With the UK facing a clear digital skills gap, Amy Caton, Digital Talent and Impact Senior Manager at BT Group shares some insights on what businesses should do to close that divide.
The lowdown on Berlin-based Beazy and its innovative solution that helps teams to plan, produce and deliver creative content and helps businesses to connect with talented content creators.
The lowdown on Fluffy, the app offering dog training, 24/7 vet messaging and insurance to give pet owners peace of mind and support them with their pet care responsibilities.
Huckletree's new Web3 HQ aims to put London’s West End at the forefront of Britain’s tech superpower ambitions.
Leading sports marketing platform, OpenSponsorship announces move into music sector, the first new vertical industry for the trans-Atlantic martech business.
.jpg)
Kingussie High School scoops first place for Junior and Senior categories at this year’s Growing Future Assets Competition.
The lowdown on Manchester-based Arctic Shores and its innovative recruitment solution to help candidate potential count as much as skills and experience.
With the demand for tattoo removal now greater than ever, specialist NAAMA Studios makes a bid for a further £11m in funding.
Published on: 7th November 2022
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Tech Nation report reveals UK Tech could quadruple in value by 2032 with right conditions 23rd Mar 2023 Tech Nation calls for tangible support to secure capital, talent, growth and exits needed to accelerate the growth of UK tech in decade ahead.
- Neurodiverse learning and training platform Neve shares major six-figure investment opportunity 22nd Mar 2023 Glasgow-based This is Milk seeks investment for Neve Learning, its cloud-based Ed-Tech platform that has inclusivity and accessibility at its core.
- Huckletree opens new London hub for tech companies pioneering Web3 solutions 16th Mar 2023 Huckletree's new Web3 HQ aims to put London’s West End at the forefront of Britain’s tech superpower ambitions.
- OpenSponsorship making its move into the music sector 16th Mar 2023 Leading sports marketing platform, OpenSponsorship announces move into music sector, the first new vertical industry for the trans-Atlantic martech business.
