Ben Itty, Global Brand Development & Innovation Expert, University College Cork

Ben has 30+ years’ experience of advertising, marketing and innovation experience at large multinationals across the world. In particular, he has experience in the areas of brand strategy, consumer insights development, communications development, packaging development and innovation. Having worked in global roles based in the US, Europe and Asia, Ben recently moved to Cork. Ben will share his insights and experience with SMEs and how the concept of the craft movement, in particular, can be applied to them in local and international markets.

Scott Baigent, Co-founder and Director at Eight Degrees Brewing

Eight Degrees Brewing is an award-winning independent Irish craft-brewery, based in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. Founded in 2011 by Scott Baigent and Cam Wallace, Eight Degrees is passionate about producing exciting and adventurous beers using only natural ingredients, and fuses modern artisan brewing techniques with classical Irish beer styles. Eight Degrees Brewing has successfully applied the craft trend to its core business and this is reflective of Ireland’s shift towards locally-produced food and drink products. The company’s range includes ales, lagers and stouts.

Ben and Scott will both speak at next month’s workshop in UCC on 19 April. To book a place at this workshop, click here or contact Eimear for further information.

The Cork Innovates Partnership will play a pivotal role in promoting the Cork region in alignment with the high level branding and messaging currently being developed and rolled out across the city and region by the local authorities.  Acting as a liaison point, the Partnership will tell the story of Cork by sharing projects, success stories, opportunities and other developments associated with innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development in the Cork region to local, national and international audiences.

The Steering Committee is seeking to identify entrepreneurs and experienced business leaders interested in being appointed to the role of Chair or Vice-Chair.  Additional opportunities for engagement with the steering committee or sub-working groups also exist.  All appointments will be time limited with no remuneration attached to these roles.  The Chair and Vice Chair will provide leadership to the steering committee, working closely with the Project Director to support the successful delivery of its operational plan.

Of particular interest are individuals with a relevant mix of knowledge and skills and a track record in the following areas:

• Strong interest in supporting the development of entrepreneurship in the region
• Ability to negotiate a multi-stakeholder environment
• Board membership / leadership experience
• Business development track record
• Investment expertise
• International connections
• Fundraising.

2016 will see a particular focus on the international Startup Nations Summit scheduled from 18^th – 20^th November in Cork.  This is the first time that this Summit will be hosted in Europe and has been won for Cork on the back of a bid researched, prepared and submitted by the Cork Innovates Partnership.

Expressions of Interest should be sent by email to siobhan.finn@corkinnovates.com by April 29^th providing a brief outline of your background and why you wish to become involved.

Enterprise Europe Network at Cork Chamber, in association with the Trade and Investment Promotion Section of the Polish Embassy to Ireland, will host a delegation of Polish ICT companies in Cork on Thursday, 19^th May 2016. The Polish delegation will comprise of companies from the south-eastern Podkarpackie region of Poland. This region has a population of 2.1m and neighbours both Slovakia and the Ukraine. Its capital city is Rzeszow and the region is renowned for its rich natural resources and a dynamic IT industry. The main focus of May’s mission is to identify possible opportunities for further cooperation between Polish and Irish companies from the ICT sector.

Participating Polish delegates include:

BMM

BMM specialises in software implementation and business training. Founded in 1995, the company manages over 250 IT and 150 training projects in companies and hospitals throughout Poland. It specialises primarily in project management, human resources management, accounting and controlling. Its products and services are directed to medium-sized and large enterprises, along with hospitals. BMM’s areas of activity include:

• Advanced Systems Architecture
• Archiving / Documentation / Technical Documentation
• Computer Software
• Processing/Data Interchange, Middleware
• Databases, Database Management, Data Mining
• HR Software
• Applications for Health
• Operation planning and budgeting system

IDEO

IDEO operates in the services and internet technology sector; providing effective and competitive solutions in e-marketing, e-business, e-government and e-consulting. The company offers a diverse range of services relating to planning, creation and promotion of internet solutions. The company has expertise that allows it to execute complex projects. It implements both simple websites and complex social networking sites, intranets, electronic document and information flow systems, loyalty programs, contests and general internet-based applications. Its main products and services include the concept, design and development of corporate websites and information portals, along with e-commerce systems connected with selling websites and the creation of dedicated applications. IDEO’s certificates include:

• 2x Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Central Europe
• Google AdWords certified partner
• Microsoft Gold certified partner
• 3x Webstarfestiwal

Klaster IT

Klaster IT is a cluster which supports the implementation of joint investment enterprises, business cooperation and promotional campaigns for the region’s ICT sector. Director of the cluster, Paweł Kielanowski, will travel to Cork to represent the cluster during May’s mission.

Order of Code

Order of Code (OOC) comprises of a team of fluent English speaking software development consultants. The company specialises in the optimisation and production of highly efficient systems for data gathering, transformation and analysis. The majority of OOC’s client-base is UK-based. Skyscanner, a major travel search engine, was co-created by OOC. More recently, OOC co-produced a highly efficient system for manipulating electronic measurement equipment made by Calnex, a fast-growing company based in Scotland. Many projects done by OOC were related to R&D and start-up projects. In particular, they’re looking for:

• New challenges for experienced consultants, especially in the area of highly efficient systems, big data and software for manipulating electronic equipment or data analysis.
• Partners for joint-venture and execution of projects based on innovative ideas (possibility of partial EU funding).

Primebit Studio

Primebit Studio is a brand that creates innovative IT solutions across a wide range of industries. With its experience, it is able to create advanced and user-friendly products. Its current client-base includes Austria, the UK, Australia, France, Denmark, Italy, Norway, Germany and China. Its services include the creation of:

• Mobile apps
• Mobile games
• Web apps
• Desktop apps
• Websites
• Video and animations
• Brand visual identity

Top S.A.

Top S.A. is a manufacturer and supplier of specialised IT systems for large and medium-sized companies in various industries. The company offers a full comprehensive software package such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems (including finance, human resources, sales, logistics, purchasing, warehouse, complaints, transportation, CRM and production), analytical business intelligence systems, web tools supporting contact with the clients web map service (WMS) and B2B systems, document management systems, dedicated applications and reporting systems. It is keen to establish partnerships with companies interested in the implementation of their solutions. It works for the following types of companies:

• Distribution companies
• Retailers across multiple sectors
• Large companies, stores, wholesalers
• Large and medium-sized supermarkets
• Food manufacturing companies
• Industrial manufacturing companies
• Construction companies, repair companies

Top S.A. also works with:

• Virtual Reality/Cardboard, web applications and mobile virtual reality
• Prime Manager, an effective time management system
• PrimeBit Games, games for Android, iOS, Window Phone and other mobile operating systems

For further information about this mission or to register your interest, contact Eimear.