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Midwest Showcase in Limerick
Over 120 companies and agencies from the Midwest have now signed up for Midwest Showcase – a combined seminar and exhibition on entrepreneurship and innovation in the region which takes place in Thomond Park, Limerick on Thursday 21st October.
This is the fourth year of the Showcase – now greatly expanded through sponsorship by AIB Bank – which is a joint collaboration of a number of regional support agencies and networks co-ordinated by the Enterprise Acceleration Centre at Limerick IT (LIT).
Among the speakers at the seminar running alongside the Showcase will be:
- Cathriona Hallahan, MD of Microsoft Europe
- Joe Purcell of Mincon whose drilling products are being used in the Chilean mine rescue
- Joan Mulvihill, CEO of the Irish Internet Association
- Bill Liao, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist and author of Stone Soup:The Secret Recipe for Making Something from Nothing
- Business mentor Pádraic Ó Máille
- John Twomey, Managing Director of high-potential software company Emutex
- Gary Fallon of Enterprise Ireland.
A wide range of start-up companies and new technologies will be on display and a number of product launches will take place. The Showcase will exhibit the 16 high potential innovative companies on the LEAP (Limerick Enterprise Acceleration Platform) programme based at Limerick Institute of Technology which include Cloudium Systems, specialists in access to virtual desktops; MobaNode, delivering targeted content to mobiles and Footbridge learning which develops story driven learning software.
In the last three years LEAP companies have created over 110 sustainable jobs in the region and raised more than € 2m in private funding for over 30 businesses.
John Cuddihy, Regional Director of AIB Midwest said: "AIB is committed to supporting SMEs and is delighted to be associated with the Midwest Showcase, an event which promotes and celebrates entrepreneurship in the Midwest.This is a unique opportunity for individuals with ideas, existing companies and support agencies to come together and share experiences and knowledge."
Emerging entrepreneurs, senior management, business advisors, professionals, investors and third level students are invited to attend the event which will consist of a seminar entitled Innovation in Business, Technologies and Entrepreneurship and a showcase of a wide range of enterprises in manufacturing, services, sports and tourism. More than 120 companies and support agencies will exhibit at the event showcasing the depth of talent, innovation and entrepreneurship of the Midwest.
Details of the event are at www.midwestshowcase.ie where bookings for the seminar can be made.
Graham Royce, LEAP Manager said: "The Midwest is a cohesive entrepreneurially excellent region with some incredibly innovative companies in leading edge technologies. It also has a wide range of high quality manufacturing and service subcontract companies which continue to stimulate jobs, wealth and new entrepreneurs in the region. The Midwest Showcase is a great one day, one location event where all those involved in innovation and entrepreneurship can come together and learn from each other".
The 2010 Showcase is part of Midwest Business Week. The Midwest Showcase is generously supported by AIB Bank, the Enterprise Acceleration Centre at LIT, Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Development, Plato Mid West, Supply Network Shannon, Atlantic Way, Shannon, Limerick and Ennis Chambers and the Enterprise Boards of the Midwest.