Happy New Year 2012

We want to wish everyone a fantastic New Years Eve, and a Great 2012. Thank you all for reading this blog over the last year. We hope you have enjoyed it and from everyone at the team enjoy and be safe.

See you all next year.

E1 Million Euro of Tech jobs in 30 days. on Silicon Ireland Jobs Site

E1 Million Euro of Tech jobs in 30 days.

We are delighted to announce that we have achieved our total of finding over E1 million Euro in Tech related jobs in Ireland in the month of December.

This is a major achievement for us and for the Irish Tech community. We thank everyone who have contributed jobs and we also thank all those 3000+ people who have taken time to read the job listing.

This is great news for the economy and for 2012. We intend to build on this for the future.

Thank you

See here

Positive Tech Sector

'WHILE THERE was plenty of positive news provided in the tech sector by multinationals in 2011 – Intel investing $500 million in new facilities, Twitter coming to town, Microsoft and Google building new data centres – the start-up scene also defied the wider economic picture.' John Collins Piece in Irish Times


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Review of the year. 2011 - Looking forward

Well this has been a hell of a year for technology in Ireland. From the DWS and Founders events to
the inward investments by Zynga and Twitter. It showed many the very aspect that we have tried to focus on over the last couple of years. Ireland can become a centre of technology in Europe.

At Silicon Ireland we have seen record growth in our readers, new advertisers, the launch of our Startup Academy, the opening of our centre in Belfast.

We will continue to build in 2012, our first big coverage piece will be World Economic Forum in Davos 2012.

We hope to open a centre in Dublin in 2012, and grow further. We believe that 2012 will be a great year for technology in Ireland and we are excited about covering it.

Happy Christmas to all our Readers

We just wanted to wish everyone whose has read the blog this year a very Happy Christmas and a Properous New Year.

Thank you for making it our best year so far.

Our Xmas Silicon Ireland Dinner Get together 2011

 

Xmas Dinner 2011

Well after a busy year it culminated in an invitation only dinner event. We thank all our sponsors, advertisers and writers. This was for them and new partners who have worked to get the Startup Academy up and running.

Thank you to all of them and of course you guys for reading about it.

Delay to publishing the Top 50 List

Delayed again


We are delaying the list until the first few days of the New Year, as we need some details of some people and that has delayed it. So sorry to everyone for the further delay and we promise you will have the list to you in the next few days of the New Year.

Boxpay to Bill in the USA

It's the moment you have been waiting for! boxPAY is now accepting applications from merchants wishing to bill customers in the USA. If you are a US-based merchant, please email joe@boxpay.com to request your application. If you are located outside of the US, please email paul@boxpay.com to request your application. 

Vodafone Ireland Campaign is great Success

Vodafone Ireland launched a unique campaign that brings the goodwill of the mobile network’s Facebook community offline and onto the streets of Ireland. It all kicked off on the Vodafone Playground Facebook page last month when the community were encouraged ‘Make someone happy’ with Random Acts of Kindness. People shared stories – some funny, some sad, but all inspiring - about the person they know who best deserved a special treat.

Vodafone then duly delivered those treats - everything from pyramids of chocolates to fully decked-out Christmas trees - to the most worthy nominees, captured the whole thing on video and brought back onto the Vodafone Playground wall for the community to share and enjoy.

The campaign culminated last week in a series of amazing laser graffiti shows by some of Ireland’s leading street artists, creating light displays from short Christmas messages submitted to the Vodafone Playground Facebook page wall. These laser graffiti shows were showcased on the side of iconic buildings in three cities across Ireland.

Vodafone Ireland invited top local street artists from Dublin, Galway and Cork to collaborate on each event. Armed with innovative new laser graffiti technology the artists, including renowned Dublin upstart Maser, created spectacular shows in each city, ‘painting’ the sides of buildings with lasers and surprising and delighting unsuspecting Christmas shoppers.

With their new campaign, Vodafone aims to give people a genuine opportunity to engage and contribute to making others happy.

ITLG and Kauffman Foundation forge partnership

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.

"The Kauffman Foundation is a world authority on entrepreneurial innovation and economic growth,'

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PaybyMobile launch

Irish founders of Paybymobile have launched their service in the Uk and partnered with Paddy power.




It's a Happy Christmas as payByMobile is now live in the UK! 

UK punters can now use their mobile phone to deposit funds & collect winnings at paddypower.com. It's online banking powered by @paybymobile  Up next, ATM funded mobile payments. 

Pay the easy way – payByMobile http://www.paybymobile.net/ 

payByMobile works on all mobile phones. Simply top-up so you can text to pay when shopping online. Or text to reserve & then top-up to pay. Check it out.

ApPREMtice Competition ShortList

"The ApPREMtice" Competition Shortlisted Candidates:

  Cathal Glackin (Intergate Technologies) Intergate Technologies is a new start up specializing in developing software solutions based on Microsoft technologies. One of our custom applications is IAMSystem, it's a one stop shop managing all Airport security activity, allowing all emergency services and CCTv people, processes and technology to effectively leverage the one system

  Charlie Mernagh (Ask Solutions) ASK Solutions provides the tools at Grow Your Business Conferences to reach and exceed your targets through the channel of one stop shops providing "Discussion Groups", Training Workshops", "Networking Seminars" along with Sound Advice from Entrepreneurs, Experts in Business Development, Sales, Customer Service, Customer Loyalty, Sports and Business Management.

  Ray Wilkins (Total Giftz) totalgiftz.com supply personalised licenced sporting merchandise, we cater for most sports including Soccer, Rugby, Golf and many more, our aim is to provide a unique gift fully framed that can make someone feel like a superstar, Our pictures use real locations and stars and combine your name into image, we should win because we newly set up, bringing a unique concept, unique gifts in to the Irish market

  Claire Hearty (Little Sitters) LittleSitters offers an online vetted babysitting directory. In addition to this, we also provide children's party entertainment, wedding/corporate entertainment and face painting. We aim to take the hassle away from parents in as many areas as we can! LittleSitters should win because the company is working hard to become nationwide by May 2012. This prize would give this company the boost it needs to carry on with this task. LittleSitters is a unique idea to Ireland and would love some recognition and assistance! Thanks!

  Michael Mc Fadden (Cool Media) My business Cool Media sells Video Pre roll and digital media inventory in Ireland. Digital is one of the few growth markets in Ireland. Cool Media already has exclusive contracts with two major global networks. I will be moving to Dublin in the New year to be closer to my clients and looking to employ people by March '12.


Siobhan McHugh (Style Uphoria) Styleuphoria is a fashion styling company that provides both personal styling to clients along with teaching budding fashion stylists. We also provide a fashion and beauty website with all of the latest style tips (www.styleuphoria.com). I set up this company as I enjoy helping people to find their own individual style that suits their lifestyle, personality and budget. I would absolutely love to win this prize as it would make a huge difference to my company to have an office to work from. I would also love to get coaching from Helen Roberts. I want my company to be a success and I feel this opportunity could provide me with a great start. Thanks!

  Rob Quigley (Motion Fox) MotionFox is a new company providing a range of Irish designed hi-viz activewear. We have just released an expandable hi-viz vest, known as the FlashBk, that can be worn as a normal vest, or expanded to cover the wearer and their bag. This is our first product and winning this competition would really help us get the word out! We should win because we want to get people off the sofa and onto the saddle, out of the car and onto their feet. We want people to be active, be fun, be stylish but above all else be safe.

  Fergus Quinn (Dineout.ie) www.DineOut.ie is a state of the art restaurant reservation system combining online bookings facility, intelligent open table management, Customer Relationship Management system, email and SMS marketing in one platform. As a startup company costs are important while a positive and optimistic outlook are essential. We have them by the bucket load and intend having some fun along the way!

 Terms & Conditions Shortlisted businesses are now to be put to the public vote via Facebook Shortlisted candidates are encouraged to send contacts to the page to like their entry. Voting closes at 4pm on the the 9th January 2012. All prizes will be valid for 6 months from announcement date. Good luck!

Dingadeal.com launches

Dingadeal.com launches new service that is a better way for groups to book hotels In the past, planning a group trip inevitably resulted in three things going wrong for the group organiser:

 1. Excessive time spent locating, negotiating, and communicating with hotels.
 2. Stress caused chasing up payment from the rest of the group for the accommodation
 3. Loss of money due to members of the group cancelling at the last minute – the cost usually borne by the organiser

. “We have all experienced unnecessary pain while organising group trips in the past,” says Damien O’Regan, co-founder of Dingadeal.com. “Organising my friend’s stag took over a week to do, and ended up costing me €400 due to guys cancelling at the last minute.” The Tipperary GAA County Board recently caused some controversy when they announced that last season over €1,000,000 was spent on accommodation and associated administration costs – its financial quandaries like this, and their inevitable consequences, that Dingadeal seeks to remedy.

 “Dingadeal.com is the better way for groups to book hotels,” says Kevin Bambury, co-founder of Dingadeal.com. “We take the hassle out of booking hotels for sports organisations, business conferences, stag nights, and hen parties, to name just a few.” Using Dingadeal.com is as easy as its revolutionary. Users simply log onto the website, enter their group’s details, select the hotels that interest the party, and wait as the website automatically sends the details of their 'request for quotes' out to all the prospective hotels in the area. The group organisers can even add comments to the completed form letting hotels know extra information that could have an effect on the hotels 'best price', such as special requirements, discounts sought and freebies that might incentive the group to book with a particular hotel.

 “This reverse auction style process has proven popular with groups and hotels,” says Darren Hayes, co-founder of Dingadeal.com. “Groups have received incredible offers from hotels they may not have known about previously, and hotels welcome the opportunity to bid for groups. Groups are a lucrative market for hotels.” When the right hotel has been selected, Dingadeal even allows the group organiser manage payments from the rest of the group, and easily submit rooming lists to the hotels. Finally, the hassle free way for groups to book hotels.

Top 50 Influential Tech Leaders in Ireland

Well the news is true! The Top 50 List will be released on Monday 19th December 2011. We hope that you will take time to come visit and see who is on the list. The list includes all types of people making a real difference in Ireland to make it a centre of Tech excellence in Europe and the world. Thank you for all your suggestions and we hope you enjoy the list. Thank you

Good news for Startups in 2012 from Seedups

The New Year promises to bring major changes in the way that startup businesses can raise funds, and Irish company Seedups is set to be at the forefront of the crowdfunding revolution.

Seedups founder Michael Faulkner explains how the funding landscape is changing, and how it can benefit startups here: “Barack Obama has leant his support to a bill known as the Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act, which essentially changes the law of how American businesses can raise money.

Mr Faulkner continues: “previously, it was almost impossible for US startups to raise money from anything but a small group of people, so this allows people to expand their potential investment networks, and allows startups access to more funds. It also allows people to become their own Dragons: unlocking the potential of many who want to make investments, but feel they lack the necessary finance and expertise.

Seedups’ fundraising model has attracted nearly 1000 entrepreneurs since being launched in February this year. Startups have been attracted by the growing investor pool, which stands at over €30 million. Investors have been attracted to the wide range of opportunities, from a variety of tech based industries. With new startups listing every week, it allows investors to spread their investments over a few different opportunities, spreading risk and diversifying their portfolio. The upside for businesses here is that it puts crowdfunding on a worldwide platform.

With offices in Letterkenny, Derry and Silicon Valley, the firm’s innovative valuation process allows investors to address a problem which has long been debated: namely valuing the startups. By using “wisdom of crowd” methodology, Seedups users value startups as they bid to gain access to deals. Seedups ensures that the best deal possible is presented to startups, who can choose to accept or reject the bid.

Startups are the backbone of the economy in the USA, with most new job creating coming from early stage companies. The crowdfunding equity market is estimated to be worth $2billion a year, and the change in the law is aimed at helping kick-start the economy, releasing funds that were previously unavailable to startups, giving investors a range of new opportunities and chance to become involved more closely with the economic development and startup landscape.

Seedups is committed to helping tech-entrepreneurs across Northern Ireland, the UK and Ireland move their ideas from the planning stages to fruition. The current funding model is broken for startups, with many great ideas failing to get off the blueprint stage, as they are too high risk for banks, and too small for the venture capitalists. Using crowdfunding they can get seed money and develop quickly.

If you have a tech-startup that needs crowdfunding, or want to gain access to this growing pool of investment opportunities, please visit www.seedups.com for more information.

Vodafone 'Graffiti technology' - Dublin

VODAFONE IRELAND LIGHTS UP CHRISTMAS

WITH LASER GRAFFITI ‘GOODWILL WALLS’

Vodafone Ireland armed some of Ireland’s leading street artists with astounding laser graffiti technology to create a series of must-see events in the run-up to Christmas in Galway, Cork and Dublin. This Laser Graffititechnology, painted the sides of buildings with light, creating intricate and beautiful illustrated messages of goodwill for all to see. Madrid-based companySensaa and renowned Irish graffiti artist Maser brought to life the goodwill messages submitted by the Vodafone Playground Facebook community into amazing light shows on the sides of buildings in Cork, Galway and Dublin.

Change Governance or sell Company

RIM shareholder Jaguar Financial has renewed its urge for the Waterloo company to change its corporate governance and also to sell RIM in whole or in parts.Jaguar notes that in 2007, chairman and CEO roles were supposed to have been separated, but the process was never completed.

Citing an article published by H. Garfield Emerson, a governance advisor who currently sits on the Boards of Canadian Tire, Jaguar points out the following quote: "Consistent with current best practices in corporate governance, the roles of Chairman and CEO are being separated. Mr. Balsillie has voluntarily stepped down from the role of Chairman to allow future consideration of a non-executive Chairman by the Nominating Committee."

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Rentview.com - launches

Rent Management Moves Into the Cloud with Rentview.ie Rentview.com launches on the “10th Business Day of Christmas” Rentview.com, is a cloud based property management platform offering the property letting industry the ability to easily manage, build, and retain renting clients.

The company offers property managers greater control and time savings by giving landlords and tenants online access to rent schedules, receipts, and invoices. Rentview is being launched as part of the “The 12 Business Days of Christmas” running from 1st to 20th of December. The initiative, created by DCU Business School and LINK, the Leadership, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre, is supported by AIB.

Helping kick-start brand awareness of the12 new Internet companies, the initiative highlights a new company each day from a range of industries including: mobile application design, e-commerce, and web TV. Colin Napper, Managing Director of Rentview said “Our cloud based system offers property managers greater control and time savings.

Research has shown that introducing Rentview can reduce defaulting rent payments by up to 40%. It takes the administration and collection issues sometimes associated renting out of the process.” Rentview developers, Colin Napper and Andreas Riha, also co-founder, have set a new standard in the residential letting market throughout Ireland. Property managers are offered a solution to much of their organisational and administration tasks, which is hoped to reduce the overall costs involved in renting.

For Further Information: Andreas Riha Tel: +353 861058395 Email: andreas@rentview.com www.rentview.com

Crowd Funding in 2012?

Crowd Funding in 2012?

A new year will soon be upon us, but with it comes a whole new market in the financial world. Our vision for 2012 will see Grow VC as a marketplace not only for startups and investors, but new sorts of investors and other stakeholders in the startup ecosystem. Startups are and have been the focusof many this year, but the year is not over yet! 80 Networks Running And counting.. We recently launched the Beta version of the Grow VC Networks program, which includes the ability for partners to adopt the tools that we have created to manage their own network of members, utilize their own brand, logos and visuals, but also to set their preferences and customize different features. The networks are now more robust than ever! Incubators, bootcamps and accelerators (among others) can now embed sign up forms for startups to their websites. Members can sign up directly to their network and the network can manage these stakeholders efficiently and explicitly. Once startups go through the incubator program, they can report their progress, milestones and achievements on their profiles for their stakeholders to follow. And as startups "graduate", they can continue their journey also in other connected networks that can support them in their developing ventures, for example angel networks. From network to network with a click of a button. As they make progress and build their team, their progress can be tracked and their history becomes more and more convincing. This is but one case example of how networks are being utilized. There are various other partners, like Universities and local networks complementing their operations with the Grow VC networks program. In the near future, networks can take advantage of each other and can be interconnected in the true vision of a virtual Silicon Valley. Why don't you also explore the Networks program? Own a part of Grow VC Inviting investors to our journey At Grow VC, we have decided that we aim to have at least 25% of the Grow VC organization belong to our users, that is the 'crowd'. This way we think we are all committed to building the same vision for the future and we are all in it together. We think that’s only fair and we like to be on the same side of the table with our users. If you are interested in participating and sharing the journey, apply to have the chance from the following link. Sign up here to get the investor material and be considered for an investment. You can literally own a piece of crowdfunding history, with a beautiful share certificate hanging on your wall. With the first commitments already in place, this round is exclusive to our community of pioneers and it is limited in size. Like last time, we will not be able to accomodate all interested parties, therefore the round will close on a first come, first served - basis. Feature Highlights Maximize your startups reach and appeal There are several new additions and improvement in the platform to help maximize the utility for startups. Make sure to keep a watchful eye for new additions. To mention a practical one that several have already found, there are custom buttons for your startup profile, that you can embed into different websites and profiles. These buttons can be your go to card in different sites, pointing your interested contacts in the right place to follow your progress and get more information. Startup profiles and Grow VC tools can be utilized for Social Investor Relations Management. Have you already seen and activated your public profile? You can do this on your startup profiles 'edit' page, where you can choose the publishing options. The public profile is limited in information, but it allows you to link directly to your startup. Make sure you have an attractive video on your startup profile, to pitch your product or solution for the audience in style! One more thing.. Grow VC is constantly looking for driven, entrepreneurial and extremely talented individuals to join our team as we build and develop our global position in 200 countries. We have several open positions, if you are truly committed to having an impact on the world. There are many roles in our growing organization, and with the Networks program, these often involve working with pioneers within our team, but also in various industries globally, from angel networks to universities. There are also great events coming up, such as this one by The Soho Loft with Congressman Patrick McHenry on Crowdfunding in New York.

BoxPay adds Subscription billing in Australia

Great to see Boxpay going from strength to strength. They recently announced that they are adding subscription billing for Australia. They are moving very quickly to now to get the market scope and scale they need.

For more info on Boxpay click here

Smart Futures Competition Category Prizes

Here is more info from smart futures.

Company Smart Futures Competition Category Prizes

MicrosoftBest game:

1st Prize: Nokia Lumia Windows 800 phone + 1 week work placement in Xbox Games studio, June 2012. 2nd Prize: Xbox Kinect Games console

HPBest video: 1st Prize: HP Pavillion G6 laptop + 3 day work placement with HP 2nd Prize: Gift Certificate from HP

SNAP FISH ; Store: Gift Certificates HP on line printing serviceWeb enabled printer HP Photosmart 7510 e-All-in-One Printer

Ericsson Best animation: 1st Prize: Xperia arc S Andriod Smartphone + a site visit to

Ericsson 2nd Prize: Xperia PLAY , Playstation certified Smartphone.

SAP Best podcast: 1st Prize: Sony Home Cinema 5.1 Blu-Ray System + a Site visit to SAP 2nd Prize: iPodTouch 8gb

Cisco Best website: 1st Prize: Macbook Air laptop 2nd Prize: Flip HD Camcorder

Openet Best mobile app: 1st Prize: 16Gb iPhone + 1 week placement 2nd Prize:

Samsung Galaxy Pro Android mobile phone

CPL Best tech article: 1st Prize: 32Gb iPad 2 + a CV skills, interview preparation and ICT careers prospects workshop 2nd Prize: Kindle Wifi eReader

Xilinx Best audio: 1st Prize: Samsung Home Cinema Blu-Ray System + 3 day work placement,2nd Prize: Playstation 3 160Gb

What is Smart Futures?

The technology sector in Ireland is thriving. Employment, through indigenous and multinational technology firms, now tops 84,000. All of the top ten multinational technology companies have a significant presence in Ireland and the indigenous software sector’s exports are worth well in excess of €1 billion annually. Five of the top ten exporters in Ireland are technology companies, and the sector is responsible for approximately one-third of Ireland’s total turnover.

Since January 2011 over 80 jobs a week have been announced in the sector. This is on foot of 6% employment growth in 2009 and 4% in 2010. IBM’s 2011 Global Location Trends Report, launched in November 2011, ranks Ireland as the top destination in the world by quality and value of investments. With a growing multinational technology presence in Ireland and a vibrant and innovative indigenous software sector, the future prospects for Ireland’s technology sector are bright.

ICT Ireland, the Irish Software Association and STEPS with the support of Discover Science and Engineering, are engaged in a joint careers campaign to highlight the vast number of employment opportunities in the technology sector in Ireland. The campaign, entitled 'Smart Futures' involves a number of initiatives which are designed to engage with students, teachers, stakeholders and the wider community in order to stimulate an interest in technology as a potential career option and to influence subject choices at second and third level. Upcoming events and initiatives in the Smart Futures series include:

· 'Smart Futures Start Here' online careers fair

· Smart Futures Champions Programme

· Smart Futures Transition Year Work Experience programme

· Smart Futures Video Series

It is hoped, that by profiling the sector and building awareness on the diverse and exciting careers in the sector, that a greater number of students will consider careers in computer, technology, engineering and science courses at third level. By ensuring Ireland has the top tech talent, we will continue to grow as an ICT powerhouse on a global scale.

Morwenna Rice

Client Manager

Drury

17a Gilford Road

Sandymount

Dublin 4, Ireland

Direct: +353 (0) 1 2080764

Office: +353 (0) 1 2605000

Mobile: +353 (0) 86 1940069

Fax: +353 (0) 1 2605066

Website: www.drury.ie

Tech industry joins forces to showcase career opportunities

Tech industry joins forces to showcase career opportunities

Monday 12^th December 2011 - Smart Futures, a national careers campaign and website (www.smartfutures.ie) for second-level students in Ireland, was today launched to highlight the vast number of diverse and interesting opportunities for young people in the technology sector. The ‘online careers fair’, being co-ordinated by ICT Ireland, the Irish Software Assocation and STEPS to Engineering with the support of Discover Science and Engineering, aims to highlight that for many young people a qualification in technology is a gateway to an exciting career. It is sponsored by industry companies such as Microsoft, Ericsson, SAP, HP and Cisco.

The first part of the campaign kicks off this week with a nation-wide competition that asks students to create a piece of digital content reflecting the theme ‘Smart Futures’. With some amazing prizes on offer including laptops, Xbox Kinect, iPad, home cinemas and smart phones and even work experience with top technology companies in Ireland, such as the Xbox Games Studio, there is no reason for students to be bored this Christmas!

Paul Sweetman, Director of ICT Ireland and the Irish Software Association said: "5 of the top 10 exporters in Ireland are technology companies, and the sector is responsible for approximately one third of Ireland's total turnover. It is clear that supporting the technology sector, for future economic growth, is crucial. A key competitive advantage Ireland possess, which is continually referenced by technology companies, is the quality and quantity of skilled graduates available to work within the sector. In order to maintain and enhance this competitive advantage, industry and government must work together to highlight the great opportunities for sustainable and rewarding careers in the technology sector. Since January of this year, over 80 jobs a week have been announced in the sector. The 'Smart Futures Online Careers Fair' will play a leading role in broadcasting these opportunities to students and parents."

There are eight categories to enter: Animation, Audio, Game, Mobile App, Podcast, Tech Article, Video and Website. The deadline for entry is Friday 27^th January 2012 and a full outline of competition categories, prizes and sponsors can be found on www.smartfutures.ie.

On 23 January 2012 a week long careers fair will take place on the website. Technology professionals from participating companies will be available each evening to answer career-related questions from students and guidance counsellors. Company profile pages are also available to give an overview of what these companies do, what kind of roles they have requirements for, what skill sets they are searching for and what it’s like to work there.

Follow the Smart Futures campaign at www.twitter.com/SmartFuturesIE and at www.Facebook.com/SmartFutures to become a part of the community and help encourage Irish students to discover how to create their smart future.