A new initiative called ‘Innovation that Matters’ has been launched by it@cork to identify, recognise and promote technology concepts, products and services within Cork companies.
It’s being run in association with Cork County Council and Barlogue Consultancy Services. Cork County Council is offering a €1,000 cash prize as well as a further subvention (up to €1,000) to participate in a Cork County Council IT trade mission to Chicago in early 2012 for the winner of ‘Innovation that Matters’.
The Chicago trade mission is a unique opportunity to meet with decision makers, potential partners and future customers in the US and ideally will present the successful company with an opportunity to further develop its innovative idea.
“It is widely recognised that our economic recovery will be export-led, and with this in mind, it@cork and Cork County Council wish to support innovative concepts that will create new market opportunities for our SMEs and lead to employment growth. ‘Innovation that Matters’ will serve as a showcase of technological innovation in Ireland, both within established companies and start-ups,” explains Denis Collins, chairman, it@cork.
Applicants are being invited to submit a 500-word summary outlining the innovation and emerging idea that is taking place within their organisation, or that they have developed.
The deadline for this initial submission is 27 May 2011. Each of these submissions will be reviewed by a selection committee and a final shortlist will be drawn up.
The successful company, which will be announced in November 2011, will have a number of months to prepare for the trade mission to Chicago.
