Networking in Dublin
I’ve recently moved to Dublin so I’ll be networking a lot more in capital. First off was the Microsoft BizSpark Launch @ Digital Island Meetup. Held in the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, Microsoft launched a practical offering to startup companies consisting of free/cheap software and support. See – Microsoft BizSpark
The evening then turned more topical and there was a panel discussion on how the country could support startups. One of the key issues the need for more awareness of the supports available and support for people to know when/how to get them. Enterprise Ireland, county enterprise boards, SFI, Forfas etc all provide support and multiple programmes but is it clear how each one differs and have you even heard of the M50 programme?
A reoccurring theme is the provision of broadband access and high-speed broadband. Amongst the technophiles, there is consensus that it’s needed and the speeds available need to improve, if we are to have even a chance of competing for modern industries. It not only our ability to attract new industry and foster innovation, but it also helps us retain industries already here. The head of eBay was very brave and unusually outspoken when he highlighted the shortcomings of the broadband infrastructure in Ireland but the recent survey that showed almost 50% of companies wouldn’t locate in Ireland again is also very worrying and part of the reason was the poor infrastructure.
Demos of locle and JustRoutes followed and while I had seen JustRoutes before, I was surprised to find that they didn’t even appear on the first page for a google search of “dart maps dublin” so some SEO and redesign of the website is needed. In fact, I ended up on a site offering a similar service – mk map
After that, there was much networking and I was very pleased to meet Iarfhlaith Kelly, David Doran (who is way ahead of his classmates and many lecturers, I’d say), Ronan Skehill (don’t forget to put your company website on your card next time) and several others. Thanks to Anton Mannering for organising the event and coordinating it with Microsoft. I know for sure that there were new business contacts and potential deals made…it still amazes me what some Irish people are doing here and abroad.
Following on from that, I made it to my first Dublin OpenCoffee Club in New York Grind on Saturday morning. There, the discussion was a lot more technical that other OpenCoffees that I’ve been to, including a bit about one of the lesser-discussed languages – Erlang. There was also very good suggestion about using those €5,000 Enterprise Ireland Innovation vouchers. You could easily work with the NCI to analyse user behaviour and screen interactions using their specialist lab equipment – see National e-Learning Laboratory (NELL) where there are specific contact details at the end of the page.
Conor Lynch from connector was there to bring us back to commercial and marketing-orientated stuff too and he has some very interesting projects on the go. There is also a mugshot of us all on the blog
Next up, Jason Roe is organising a Blogger / Webby / Twitter (whatever) meet-up for people in Dublin.
The plan is to meet up at the Porter House central from 6pm on Thursday 27th. (PH central located at the bottom of grafton street, across from the molly malone statue). We will get food, drinks and have our chats. After this (maybe 8:30/9pm ish) we might move on to Soundcheck, South William Street. It seems that Rick O’Shea is doing a DJ thing, we shall be acting as a rent a mob! – the rent
PS: I have approched a sponsor to give us some free drinks and/or food for the night. More info to come laters.
I would also really appreciated if anyone attending could slap up a blog post / and or tweet about this!
November 20th, 2008 at 11:44 am
hey joe
nice to meet you and hope i did not bore you techie types with my marketing waffle !
thanks for the mention and the link – watch out for more cool stuff from connector soon
be good
conor
November 20th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
well spotted sir! The next set will have the website on it – promise.
November 21st, 2008 at 1:00 pm
@conor on the contrary, it’s refreshing to change from technical talks. And far from being hypothetical marketing waffle, you have insights and experience with major campaigns and customers. I’m looking forward to hearing more abotu connector soon!
@ronan good stuff. Even if a card isn’t used, the quality, presentation leaves an impression (sounds a bit like American Psycho, I know)
December 1st, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Hey Joe – just wanted to say congrats on the new job
Hope you enjoy dublin!