Cisco SVP Barry O'Sullivan and ITLG's Cian Hughes, with a hurler and an American football player
The Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) will gather global CEOs and leading Irish executives in some of the world’s biggest technology companies in Cork in January in a Gathering-themed shindig. The aim will be to help local tech companies and entrepreneurs succeed on the global stage.
Cork’s renown as a technological hub has spread globally. The company has been home to international operations of Apple, EMC, IBM, Trend Micro, Big Fish Games and many more, and its reputation for software, hardware, electronics, e-business and wireless technology is second to none.
In previous years, the ITLG’s ‘Silicon Valley Comes to Ireland’ events were staged in Dublin, Belfast and Limerick and now it’s Cork’s turn. This year’s summit will be truly global with technology leaders from Europe, China, Russia, India and across the Americas in attendance.
Cork City Council, Cork Chamber, UCC and CIT have partnered with the ITLG to bring this international event to Cork from 21-22 January as part of The Gathering 2013.
Confirmed speakers include Craig Barrett, ITLG chairman and former chairman and CEO of Intel Corp; Barry O’Sullivan, senior VP, Cisco; Liam Casey, CEO, PCH International; James Herlihy, MD, Deutsche Bank; Sean O’Donoghue, CTO, Madison Square Garden; Rory McInerney, Intel; and Una Fox, VP Disney, among others.
Opportunities for entrepreneurs
The event will include ‘fast pitch’ sessions for entrepreneurs, business start-ups and innovative businesses to pitch for investment; a technology showcase; University Challenge award; and technology leaders summit, as well as a gala networking dinner. Companies should apply now to take part in the ‘pitch-camp’ sessions.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr John Buttimer, said: “Cork has strong business links with Silicon Valley and we are delighted to deepen our relationship with US industry leaders while showcasing all that Cork has to offer in terms of a centre of excellence for innovation and commercialisation of new research, as well as a great place to invest as a gateway to Europe.
“We are delighted to welcome the Irish Technology Leadership Group to Cork for the Silicon Valley comes to Ireland event,” Buttimer said.
Indigenous companies in the fields of mobile technologies, cloud, biotech and convergent pharma, nanotechnology and renewable energies, among others, will be invited to pitch their business ideas to the international delegation of investors and seasoned entrepreneurs.
“We are looking forward to seeing Ireland’s most innovative and disruptive technologies at the ‘fast pitch’ sessions to be held at the Global Technology Leaders Summit in Cork,” said John Hartnett, CEO, ITLG.
“Those interested in pitching for investment from the global business leaders and investors should embrace the opportunity of the ITLG Silicon Valley comes to Ireland event and get in touch with us immediately,” Hartnett recommended.
