Business advisory firm Grant Thornton is holding an event in California in an attempt to lure US technology firms to Ireland.

The firm will hold two seminars on October 4th and 5th in Los Angeles and Palo Alto to draw attention to the opportunities for US-based technology and media companies if they come to these shores.

Targeted at CFOs and senior management, the seminars, entitled Ireland – Innovation Nation, will outline the business environment and tax advantages Ireland offers to media and technology companies.

Speakers will include Grant Thornton’s Peter Vale, who will talk about the tax advantages for US companies using Ireland as a global centre, with legal issues covered by Mason Hayes Curran’s Philip Nolan, while Neil Leyden, founder of the International Digital Services Centre, will speak about Ireland as a gateway to the European market.

IDA’s west coast US lead Rory Mullen will outline the role IDA Ireland can have in facilitating companies making the move.

“Whilst Ireland already has some of the biggest names in software and social media operating here,” says Sinéad Donovan, head of foreign direct investment (FDI) at Grant Thornton, “there are a large number of smaller and early- stage technology and media companies – the emerging ‘micro- multinationals’ – that could gain significant benefits from moving here, but may not be aware of the opportunity.”