Gatherings to boost startups begin

A new initiative to boost Ireland’s standing as a startup hub has kicked off, with a programme of events planned for the week.

The Startup Gathering 2015, which runs until October 10th, aims to promote entrepreneurship and develop startup hubs in the major Irish cities.

The event is being backed by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, with support from Bank of Ireland.

More than 350 gatherings are expected to take place over five days in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Waterford and Limerick.

"We need to move from a situation where we have once-off great success stories to having a production line of success stories," said Eoin Costello, chief executive of Startup Ireland.

FDI battle

“What we’re trying to do with Startup Ireland is improve the systemic conditions so it is better for all start-ups.” That will allow all startups to access suitable supports and advice in the future, for example.

The week kicked off with a gathering at Google’s Foundry building in Barrow Street.

It’s not all about ICT though, with the gatherings looking at different specialities for startups from food to pharma.

Startups could be a critical element in helping maintain Ireland’s attraction for foreign direct investment.

“The FDI battle is moving on. Not only do you need talent, a track record, a good tax environment for the multinationals, you now need a vibrant startup ecosystem that’s got specialist focus on the area that you’re trying to get the R&D to locate in,” Mr Costello said.

The loss of the Web Summit to Portugal has been viewed in some quarters as a blow to Ireland’s startup sector, and while Costello acknowledges that it is a loss, he says it also leaves the way open for a more organic, grassroots replacement that will help startups in Ireland.