German business software player SAP has unveiled its new App Haus in Dublin, an R&D hub inspired by the Institute of Design at Stanford University. In addition, a new Start-up Focus Programme to engage with young software firms has also been rolled out in Dublin.
This writer got to visit the App Haus as it was being created in CityWest in March and the focus is to enable fresh thinking free from corporate norms or constraints. The idea is that innovators will be able to tailor their surroundings to suit their needs and boost collaboration.
As such, desks have wheels and creators can write on walls to brainstorm – effectively rooms can be manipulated to boost the creative process and deliver on time.
In terms of the Start-up Focus Programme, Irish companies will be selected and provided with development and go-to-market support for apps that are developed on SAP’s next-generation in-memory computing platform SAP HANA.
The start-up programme works closely with SAP Ventures to identify and cultivate ground-breaking start-up companies and last year SAP established a US$155m SAP HANA real-time fund to spur development of apps.
The launch of the App Haus and the launch of the Start-up Focus Programme follows SAP’s recent €110m investment at its Dublin and Galway operations resulting in 250 new jobs.
From small firms and start-ups to big data and real-world issues
Announcing the new resources at SAP in Dublin, SAP executive board member and head of Technology and Innovation Dr Vishal Sikka said the recovery of the global economy, the future of innovation and the sustainability of a growing global population relies on entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“Today’s launch of the SAP Start-Up Focus Programme in Ireland is an important and vital step for SAP to take in building and supporting a community of entrepreneurs and small businesses with high-growth potential.
“The programme is designed to provide selected start-ups with the tools, training and support to leverage the SAP HANA platform as the technology foundation to tackle and crunch ‘big data’ issues,” Sikka added.
Liam Ryan, managing director of SAP Ireland, added: “This world-class facility is our third Irish operation, and with a workforce of more than 1,200 people in Dublin and Galway, it is exciting to see SAP is thriving in Ireland.
“I am confident that App Haus will have a significant impact on the intellectual renewal of SAP products in the future, and I look forward to witnessing the development of innovative, breakthrough applications by our teams in Dublin,” Ryan added.
