An overview of the week in deals in the Irish and global technology sector.
CRANN in €130k nanotech deal with Merck
Ireland’s nanotechnology research institute CRANN has forged a €130,000 partnership with biotech and pharmaceutical firm Merck Millipore, which employs 400 people in Cork.
Research and Innovation Minister Sean Sherlock, TD, said the Trinity College-based CRANN shows how an Irish third-level institution is helping an industry leader develop products and services, leading to growth in exports and the creation of high quality jobs in Ireland.
“This partnership between Merck Millipore and CRANN clearly illustrates how the research community here is acting as an innovation engine for companies based in Ireland. This type of research effort should ensure a healthy pipeline of new ideas towards the development of new, improved products.”
Microsoft to get Android royalties from Samsung in patent deal
Microsoft has signed a deal with Samsung to cross license their patent portfolios, which will also see Samsung pay royalties to Microsoft for every Android tablet and smartphone it sells.
The Samsung deal will give both companies greater patent coverage for each of their technologies. It also lets both companies co-operate in the development and marketing of Microsoft’s mobile OS Windows Phone.
Irish-owned AEP bought for US$57.5m
UK defence and aerospace company Ultra Electronics has bought Irish-owned AEP Networks for an initial cash consideration of US$57.5m.
A further US$17.5m may be paid to the vendors based on the company’s financial results to the end of December of this year.
AEP, which has more than 5,000 blue chip and government customers in more than 60 countries, carries out its system development in the UK and the USA.
“I am very pleased that we have been able to bring AEP into the group,” said Ultra chief executive, Rakesh Sharma. “AEP provides important complementary technologies and products to advance Ultra’s strategy in the growing cyber security domain. AEP is a technology-rich company with strong intellectual property and wide global reach, operating in a fast-growing market place.”
ESA space propulsion technologies to be developed in Dublin
Dublin-based AMPAC-ISP Europe will develop the next generation of rocket engine technology to be used in space exploration missions by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The €2m contract is being split between the UK and Irish divisions of AMPAC-ISP, which develops and supplies propulsion systems, fluid control components and launch vehicle structural components.
Under the contract, AMPAC-ISP will develop new processes, materials and technologies to improve the performance of liquid apogee engines used in spacecraft orbit insertion and other in-space propulsion manoeuvres.
Goldenpages.ie parent in strategic deal with Google
Goldenpages.ie’s parent company Truvo has struck a major deal with Google that will focus on helping Irish businesses advertise via Google AdWords.
Truvo will provide a full service solution allowing small, medium and larger companies the opportunity to focus on their business while taking advantage of the Google AdWords programme.
Truvo provides businesses in Ireland with advice on how to benefit from different advertising solutions via advertising programmes such as Google AdWords.
Schibsted acquires 50pc stake of DoneDeal
Irish online classifieds site DoneDeal has completed an investment deal with the Schibsted Media Group, which sees Schibsted take just a 50.09pc stake of DoneDeal.
As part of the deal, Fred Karlsson, co-founder of DoneDeal, will continue to manage the company and will still be a major shareholder of the business. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
“Our new partnership with Schibsted will be very much based on providing collaborative synergies to work and learn from each other in providing an even better service and experience for our customers and will provide DoneDeal with a significant business partner that can support us in taking our business to the next level of growth that we now aspire to,” Karlsson said.
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