Paddy's Valley mission not impossible

Executives from 15 Irish technology companies travelled to California's Silicon Valley at the weekend for an informal networking mission they have dubbed Paddy's Valley.

Five of the firms - Zinadoo, Pix.ie, PutPlace, Tourist Republic and Spoilt Child - have been selected to pitch to a group of local investors tomorrow at an event organised by Enterprise Ireland. The trip, which runs until next Saturday, has also received support from Intertrade Ireland.

The Silicon Valley attendees will visit a number of technology firms in the area, including Facebook, Microsoft, Google, Twitter and Meebo.

The idea for Paddy's Valley came about after Conor O'Neill, managing director of Louder Voice, posted on the Web 2 Ireland blog about a similar trip organised by Israeli technology firms. The trip was subsequently organised by an ad hoc committee of Mr O'Neill, technology commentator Damien Mulley and internet entrepreneur James Corbett. Mr Mulley said the trip was about building up contacts.

"It will be very good for Irish start-ups to learn how the US entrepreneurs network so effectively," said Mr Mulley. "It's something we are poor at."

A number of those attending have also arranged their own meetings with potential partners in California. This will enable the Irish and US firms to explore the possibilities of partnerships or licensing of intellectual property.

Building a network in Silicon Valley is essential for any software company hoping to be successful in the US market according to Joe Drumgoole, chief executive of PutPlace, a web service that enables the managing and sharing of digital content.

"We have a five-year plan and this is the first step in the US part of that plan," said Mr Drumgoole.

Helene Haughney of mobile services company Zinadoo said the trip provided the opportunity to see how things were done in the valley and see if it was a market the company might want to break into - but more importantly, it was an opportunity to meet potential investors.