Category: Irish Tech News

What Health Tech Innovations Are Becoming Available to Ireland in 2022?

How is technology revolutionising Ireland’s healthcare? We take a look at some of the 2022 innovations for Ireland. 

Medical negligence cases in Ireland have seen a worrying increase in recent years as figures reveal that during the 2019 to 2020 period, there were approximately 4,022 open cases at any given time.

As with so many other sectors, many feel that the answer to improving health and medical care in Ireland lies in advanced technology and, in this article, we’ll take a look at some of the new technology which will be transforming health in Ireland in 2022. 

SynchroPhi

Monitoring vital signs (heartbeat, pulse rate and respiration rate) is an essential first defense in detecting possible medical problems. By monitoring these factors, healthcare professionals can provide fast treatment to avoid a condition from becoming worse. 

Founded in Galway by David Toohey, SyncroPhi provides wireless patient monitoring services. This clever innovation allows patients, doctors and nurses to remotely monitor vital signs for changes and issues and is already proving to be a vital addition to Ireland’s healthcare network. 

My OT & Me

Occupational therapy interventions are resources designed to help young children develop essential motor skills such as hand strength, manipulation and endurance skills, which are required to complete basic tasks. 

A lack of these resources in Ireland, led Jess Kennedy and Sean O Tuama to launch My OT & Me. OT & Me is an online health tech platform packed full of pediatric occupational therapy resources for children and young people. 

The platform also provides lots of useful information, blogs and courses for parents.   

Gasgon Medical

Winner of the 2021 InterTradeIreland Seedcorn competition, Gasgon Medical is the inventor of AirVault, a device which removes air bubbles from fluids in IV infusions. Launched in Cork by Vincent Forde, this device eliminates the need for nurses and medical staff to intervene in order to remove air bubbles which may lead to issues. 

The device also allows for the delivery of more accurate doses of IV infusions, leading to faster recovery for patients. If left undetected, air bubbles within IV fluids can lead to air embolisms which block blood vessels and can lead to serious conditions and, in some cases, death.

While training, especially with accelerated online degree programs and making the industry more attractive to talented medical workers remains a priority, technology is becoming more and more vital in supporting hard working employees.

 

Wearable Technologies

Ireland has been making serious inroads with health and medical based wearable technology, with a few standout companies. These include Dublin based, PacSana, which has developed bracelets which provide data on movement and activity and, wearable thermometers and fingertip pulse oximeters. 

Another shining light for wearables is Think Biosolution, founded by Dr Shourjya Sanyal and Koushik Kumar – Think Biosolution creates privately labeled wearable devices and software which harness the power of sensor technology to allow for remote patient monitoring. 

xWave Technologies

A 2021 report revealed that waiting times for radiology scans have risen by around 16% in Ireland in recent years, meaning that many patients are waiting an unacceptable length of time to receive a diagnosis. 

Dublin based health tech startup, xWave Technologies, led by CEO, Mitchell O’Gorman, aims to change that. With 600,000 Euros raised in pre-seed funding, xWave Technologies has developed xRefer, a smart healthcare platform which will enable doctors and clinicians to send referrals through a computer or phone, along with a search function, to quickly determine the most appropriate scan for a patient and to search availability.

MedDeus

We’ve all heard the jokes about the illegible handwriting of many doctors when issuing prescriptions and, all joking aside, this can sometimes lead to errors which impact on a patient’s health. MedDeus aims to eliminate this problem through its cloud based ClearScribe system. 

The system can be used by doctors and other medical professionals to generate error free prescriptions at the point of care.

FeelTect

Venous leg ulcers are chronic and long-lasting sores which usually develop on the inside of the leg, just above the ankle. If left untreated, these ulcers can be painful and uncomfortable and can, in some instances, spread to other areas of the leg. 

Galway startup, FeelTect, has developed Tight Alright – a pressure sensing device which, when attached to a compression bandage, measures and monitors pressure. Created by Dr Andrew Cameron and Darren Burke, Tight Alright will provide assistance to medical professionals in monitoring patients. 

PPR Healthcare

Many new mothers are forced to suffer in silence due to a lack of adequate postpartum care. A New Mum, developed by PPR Healthcare, has produced a range of over-the-counter products and information resources to help new mothers tackle infection and discomfort as well as post-natal depression after giving birth. 

Health-tech innovations are helping reduce waiting times for patients

In 2022, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals are under more pressure than ever before as tight budgets and staff shortages continue to create obstacles. While training and making the industry more attractive to talented medical workers remains a priority, technology is becoming more and more vital in supporting hard working employees.

Technology such as wearable monitors work alongside medical professionals to provide more comprehensive care, as well as allowing patients to have significantly greater control over their own monitoring and treatment. 

Similarly, new apps and platforms empower patients to gain more insight into their condition and to more effectively become involved in their treatment. 

As we move forward, further advances in technology will almost certainly help to bridge the gap between healthcare services. Therefore, reduce waiting times as well as more effectively providing vital services to patients

Scientists deploy dairy drones to help farmers choose the best fields.

Irish farmers could soon be using hi-tech ‘dairy drone’ imagery and a form of artificial intelligence to help them decide which fields to let their cows graze.

Researchers at Teagasc, UCD and DCU, funded by the VistaMilk SFI Research Centre based in Teagasc, Moorepark, Co Cork, are currently testing the accuracy of physical and lab-based observations of grass growth against new image-analysing, machine-learning models based on photos captured by drones and static cameras. The aim is to produce predictive data of the yield and composition of grass growth on pastures. This innovation is designed to help farmers determine the best time and which areas to allow their cows feed.

To date, the predictive models based on a simple photograph are resulting in 95% accuracy rates when compared to physical observations.

Deirdre Hennessy, VistaMilk Funded Investigator and Senior Teagasc Research Officer, said that grass and pasture management is vitally important for the success of Ireland’s €5bn dairy industry.

Deirdre said: “It’s not as simple as letting the cows out to eat where and when they want. Farmers are constantly walking their fields monitoring grass growth, paying particular attention to its yield, composition, and its grazing suitability. They must determine when there are adequate quantities available to feed their animals while making sure they avoid having too much grass, leading to waste and poor quality or potentially under grazing.

“This is very labour intensive and time consuming, and the research that VistaMilk is funding is designed to provide them with that information more easily and quickly.”

“Image-analysing, machine-learning algorithms will work with pictures captured by drones – and even satellites in the future. The potential of what we can do in will only be limited by our imaginations. We can theoretically look at sending out drone swarms that will return their information to a base in a matter of minutes, giving farmers in a whole county the results that will allow them to make better business decisions while farming more sustainably.

“I personally think that would be some achievement and a sight to see, if and when it becomes viable. For now, we will continue to prove that our drone captured imaging algorithms work and will leave the scaling up to the next generation of researchers that are following closely behind.”

The quality of Irish dairy is, in large part, due to the fact that our cows are grass-fed. Currently 5,000 Irish farmers are using a grassland management app called PastureBase Ireland to input their physical observations of grass growth and get results by the time they are finished walking their land. However, there are many factors that can skew the outcomes, including, for example, the subjectivity of observations made by different people.

Deirdre added: “Knowledge of how your grass is growing and what else is in your paddock, such as clover, can make a huge difference to a farm’s profitability and sustainability. The imaging analysis work that is ongoing in VistaMilk and with our partners will make the process more accurate and automated, thereby making it easier for the farmer to make timely and correct decisions on how to manage their fields.”

Farmers who use PastureBase Ireland are already reducing the need to purchase supplemental food to feed their cattle. It is estimated that every tonne of extra grass grazed is worth in the region of €172 to a farm, which adds up to a substantial amount of money over the course of approximately 300 days of grazing each year.

Additionally, the improved understanding of the mix of grasses and other plants like white and red clover are reducing the requirement for artificial fertilisers and improving quality of winter silage. All the while resulting in increasing milk yields and quality of the end product manufactured in Ireland worth an estimated €5bn to the economy.

Deirdre concluded: “The ultimate goal is to create an app that uses a combination of physical observations, weather predictive models and automated grass imaging that will save time and money for the farmers.

“While we are not there quite yet the future is just around the corner.”

New Digital Map Showcases Dublin Street Art

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has created a new digital map of the growing volume of Dublin street art that is dotted throughout the city and county.

The street art is part of Dublin Canvas, an inclusive public art initiative that adds a flash of colour and creativity to the traffic control boxes that are highly visible at traffic junctions throughout Dublin. Currently, there are over 600 pieces of artwork spread throughout the county, and it is expected that there will be over 750 pieces completed by the end of Autumn this year.

Using Esri’s ArcGIS system, the interactive digital map pinpoints exactly where each box is located and provides an image of each piece. A simple click on the image provides information about the art, along with the background story of the artist.

The art is painted by exceptionally creative and talented amateur and professional artists residing in Dublin. They come from all walks of life and range from students to retirees, barristers to baristas, and engineers to editors.

Be it the artwork of squirrels in Stepaside, beasts in Blackrock or fishermen on Fitzwilliam Street, the map can be used to discover inventive artwork nearby. There’s a varying mix of themes to suit everyone, to brighten up the wait time at a red light or to get inspired on a summer stroll.

To view the map, go to https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/df0f78525b0440aa80bbd9bac7450376

250 New Jobs to be Created as Kaseya Chooses Dundalk for its New Centre of Excellence

Kaseya, the leading global provider of unified IT management and security software for managed service providers (MSPs) and mid-market enterprises (MMEs), today announced plans to establish a new Centre of Excellence in Dundalk, creating 250 jobs over the next three years.

The project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Tánaiste & Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment Leo Varadkar TD said: “This is excellent news. It really demonstrates Kaseya’s commitment to Ireland and the attractiveness of Dundalk as a place to invest. It’s also a real vote of confidence in Kaseya’s existing team here – I’m sure it was their hard work that gave the company the confidence to expand further. Kaseya has witnessed remarkable growth over recent years, and I wish the team every continued success with the new Dundalk office.”

The highly skilled roles include 250 jobs for engineers, technical support and sales, specifically new customer acquisition, as well as positions across corporate services. Kaseya will work closely with university partners in the area to help train students for the positions and foster the next generation of technology professionals in the region.

“We saw tremendous opportunity to expand the tech ecosystem in Ireland – we’re already in Dublin – and decided to open a second office in Dundalk,” said Kaseya CEO Fred Voccola. We are planning to attract top tech talent and generate a robust workforce pipeline in the local community. We are excited about this partnership that will expand Kaseya’s footprint in Ireland, where Kaseya has its roots. The company first established its EMEA headquarters in Dublin in 2016.”

Kaseya saw the potential in Ireland and decided to expand its operations with this second site in Dundalk to operate as a Centre of Excellence with a focus on research and development. The Dundalk office will support a high-growth engineering team and contribute to economic development in the region.

CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan said: “Thanks to Kaseya’s positive experience with establishing a facility in Dublin, the company has selected Dundalk as the location of its second Irish site.  This is very good news for the entire region and the skilled and talented workforce located there. I wish Kaseya every success with this expansion.”

Kaseya successfully executed a similar program in the U.S., in Miami, Florida where the company is headquartered.  In two short years, Kaseya has grown its Miami operation from 150 people to more than 600 and now occupies over 150,000-sq-ft to support its growth plan of having over 1,200 “Kaseyans” in Miami by 2023. Modelling after this hugely successful program, with support from IDA Ireland, Kaseya’s leadership is confident this initiative will be another success that brings economic growth to the region.

To view a list of the open roles in Ireland, click here.

Big Savers Tighten their Belts while Shopping Online

As the cost of living rises online shoppers are becoming more prudent. The survey has found that the majority of adults will shop around online to find the most pocket-friendly option before making a purchase. According to the survey over half (51%) of all adults will spend less on online shopping with 83% of respondents admitting they will shop around more given the current increase in the cost of living.

Dmac Media Director, Dave McEvoy commented:

“This survey shows that shoppers are willing to spend more time browsing for the best price and delivery, which means more opportunity for retailers to compete.   People are definitely tightening their belts, shopping around and thinking longer before making a purchase.  This makes it vital for businesses with an online store to monitor closely how their items are selling and adjust accordingly.  Retailers also need to highlight delivery time and cost to take advantage of the increase in more frugal visitors”

When shopping online, certain factors heavily influence adults spending habits with the majority (80%) admitting product prices are they biggest influence. Free or discounted shipping was the second highest factor with 71% of respondents admitting making their purchase decision when these were available. The survey results show that in the next six months, 75% of online shoppers are likely to make an online purchase of clothing or apparel. This is on trend with the overconsumption of fast fashion and although there is a significant emphasis being put on the impact fast fashion has on the planet it does not seem to deter people from indulging in new attire online. Other than clothes, gifts or giftware, home and garden supplies, groceries, food and takeaways will be top of the online shopping list of Irish consumers in the coming months.

The results of the survey carried out by Dmac Media show the average spend online per month overall is €149.93 and the average number of Online stores visited is 3.2.

The convenience and options are endless which makes shopping around and saving money easier than ever before. The overall increase in living costs will be a factor in how much disposable income is there to be spent and will force online shoppers to shop around and find the best offers that suits their needs. Overall online shopping has a part to play in the everyday lives of adults across Ireland and will continue to do so.

The survey was conducted iReach Insights for Dmac Media. The research report provides insights into online shopping influences and purchase triggers. The report also provides insights into future online purchase plans and the average spend online per month and websites visited.

Research results now available online at https://dmacmedia.ie/industry-insights

$5.7bn-valued Workato to hire 50 at its Dublin Office

Workato, the leading enterprise automation platform, plans to ramp up hiring at its Dublin office in Ireland after a year of record momentum, which included launching its first European data centre in Germany in May 2021, raising over $420 million in total funding to date with a $5.7 billion valuation last November, and recently being named to the 2022 CNBC Disruptor 50 List.   

The Irish base opened last September and has hired 10 people since opening the Dublin office at the WeWork building.  The new office will result in the creation of 50 jobs over the next 3+ years approximately, with predominantly sales, marketing and engineering staff. Their focus will be to support Workato’s current customers in the region and the business expansion in the European commercial and enterprise segments.   

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in California, United States, Workato supports customers throughout EMEA with operations currently in Spain, UK, Germany, France, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands and Italy. Workato’s current customer base comprises companies from the tech, financial services and fintech, transport and logistics, ecommerce and retail industries. Customers include Nokia, FreeNow, Adevinta and Web Summit. As part of the company’s mission to improve the way enterprises work, Workato is also forming  new strategic partnerships with local organisations such as Softcat in Ireland.   

This expansion is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland. 

Robert Ekstrom, EMEA GM and VP Sales at Workato commented: “Ireland is fast becoming a leading global technology hub and with Workato’s aim to help organizations work faster and smarter without compromising security and governance, it allows us to support businesses in a new region. Not only this is an exciting opportunity to scale Workato’s operations, but to be partnering collaboratively with IDA Ireland. We look forward to continuing and building on this partnership.”  

To learn more about Workato and the future of automation, please visit www.workato.com.  

Irish Fintech Money Jar Announces 100 New Jobs

Today, Irish owned fintech, Money Jar, announced the creation of 100 new jobs to drive expansion of the company in Ireland and across Europe. The highly skilled roles in software engineering, compliance and security, product management and design, marketing, sales, account management and customer support, will enable Money Jar to scale its platform and footprint internationally.

Money Jar met with An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar earlier today to brief him on the expansion and job creation. Speaking ahead of the meeting, Leo Varadkar said: “It’s fantastic to see an Irish company go from strength to strength and see such success. We’ve worked hard to create a warm and welcoming environment for our tech entrepreneurs and it’s really encouraging to see Money Jar’s ambitious growth plans and their progress to date. I wish the team all the very best with this next stage.”

Commenting on the expansion at Government Buildings today, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Money Jar, Johan Reveillard, said: “The leading-edge technologies that underpin the Money Jar platform are security, functionality, and usability. At Money Jar we have been very adept at harnessing technological innovations to launch new functionality, generate value for the consumer, and shape the competitive landscape. With these new roles, we will continue to challenge traditional financial institutions and their offering, as they will need to invest considerably on top of the gathering wave of financial industry disruption.”

Money Jar currently employs 22 people and has ambitious plans to ensure efficient, convenient, and secure digital financial management for its customers and to develop its services in line with this. John Harkin, Executive Chairman of Money Jar, said: “Money Jar is one of the most diverse and fully functioning neobanks on the market today. The expansion and the creation of 100 new jobs will allow us to further our commitment to promote responsible money management in Ireland and across Europe.”

The expansion plans have been realised with the support of Enterprise Ireland through its High Performance Start Up programme. Jenny Melia, Manager of the Technology & Services team at Enterprise Ireland commented: “Ireland’s reputation for Fintech excellence continues with Money Jar. We are delighted to support Money Jar to expand internationally. It is an ambitious growth strategy, and the employment plans are tangible evidence of the potential of this Irish-owned start-up.”

Founded in 2019, Money Jar is the only Irish fintech to offer an Irish IBAN to enable customers to complete their day-to-day transactions online. It is also the only digital current account to offer cash lodgement through collaboration with Payzone. And, Money Jar can manage cross-border transfers, allowing transactions in several foreign currencies through its partnership with Currency Cloud, a leader in international payments.

Recruitment for the 100 new roles has already begun with a view to 50 jobs being created by July 2023 and 100 jobs by the end of March 2024. The roles will be made available to people not only in Ireland, but remotely across Europe. The lifting of restrictions, coupled with remote working has created a cohort of customers that are digitally savvy. Financial management at your fingertips is more important than ever.

WBA OpenRoaming Enables Dublin’s Smart City Vision with Seamless, Secure, High-Performance Wi-Fi #WorldWiFiday

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) and City of Dublin today announced a successful proof-of-concept trial of OpenRoaming™ in Dublin, Ireland. Initially deployed at Bernardo Square, Dame Street and the City Council’s Amphitheatre, WBA OpenRoaming enables residents and visitors to log in only once and then maintain seamless connectivity as their smartphones, tablets and other Wi-Fi devices automatically switch between different public Wi-Fi hotspots. The success of the trial will pave the way for a larger city-wide deployment. 

Dublin is a high growth city. It currently has a population in the Greater Dublin Area of around 2.02 million and is anticipated to grow to 2.2 million by 2031. It houses 30% of the country’s working population and attracts over 6.6 million overseas visitors a year.  It is anticipated that OpenRoaming will be initially rolled out on over 150 AP’s across Dublin city. 

Now available at over 1 million hotspots worldwide, WBA OpenRoaming frees users from the need to constantly re-register or re-enter log-in credentials — all while maintaining enterprise-grade security and privacy. The WBA OpenRoaming standard also enables enterprises, device OEMs, service providers and others to provide performance guarantees and — with Wi-Fi 6 and 6E— a carrier-grade experience as users roam between different public Wi-Fi venues.

The trial, initiated by Dublin City Council’s Smart Dublin programme and supported by the WBA and Virgin Media, also involved participation from CommScope and represents a key a milestone toward achieving Dublin’s smart city goals, which include:

 

  • Providing communities, residents and businesses with seamless access to services online, as well as high-quality connectivity
  • Giving tourists and other visitors free, secure, high-performance Wi-Fi access. Once they arrive and log on to an OpenRoaming-enabled hotspot, their device is automatically authenticated for use every time it switches to another OpenRoaming-enabled hotspot. This convenience makes it easier for them to find what they need, such as restaurant recommendations, transit schedules, directions and more.
  • This seamless, secure experience ensures that they have the broadband connectivity they need for interactive immersive learning, research, hybrid study and more.

 

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said: “Wi-Fi is the foundation for smart cities. This successful proof-of-concept trial shows that that the City of Dublin and its residents, businesses and visitors all can depend on the WBA OpenRoaming standard to ensure that they always have convenient access to seamless, secure, carrier-grade Wi-Fi connectivity.” 

Jamie Cudden, Smart City Lead, for the City of Dublin, said: “Dublin is at the forefront of a digital transformation that is serving as a model for other municipalities across Ireland and the world. Collaborations like this are key to the delivery of convenient, reliable and ubiquitous connectivity which is critical for achieving our smart city goals such as closing the digital divide and ensuring that government is responsive to the needs of citizens and businesses. This successful trial of WBA OpenRoaming is a milestone toward achieving all those goals.”

Bart Giordano, SVP Ruckus Networks, CommScope, said: ““As a founding partner in the OpenRoaming framework, we are pleased to announce with the WBA the successful launch of the OpenRoaming initiative and network for the City of Dublin.  OpenRoaming brings the promise of seamless and secure connectivity to users and IoT devices all over the world.  The core elements of OpenRoaming are in line with those of the Ruckus Network portfolio: cloud federation, cybersecurity, policy and automation.  We look forward to expanding the City of Dublin’s network and capabilities and supporting OpenRoaming deployments worldwide. “

Aidan Darcy, VP Business & Wholesale at Virgin Media Ireland said: “It’s fantastic to be working with Dublin City Council on such an important initiative. Given the fact that we are the official provider of both the Wi-Fi and broadband infrastructure, we are able to offer cutting-edge broadband speeds and an exceptional Wi-Fi experience for residents and tourists availing of the new Dublin City Wi-Fi Zones. We’re passionate about connecting communities and, with this new initiative, we really feel we’ll be creating connections for good.”

Launched in May 2020, WBA OpenRoaming is now in Release 3, which will make the business and commercial aspects of roaming easier than ever before and importantly, cut back on hundreds of hours of legal and administrative time when establishing roaming settlement agreements.

 

World Wi-Fi Day – 20th June 2022

This announcement comes just before World Wi-Fi Day (an annual WBA initiative), a global platform to recognize and celebrate the significant role Wi-Fi is playing in getting cities and communities around the world connected. 

It is a unique opportunity to reflect on how we can reduce digital poverty through innovative projects that will connect the unconnected. 

About the Wireless Broadband Alliance

Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) is the global organization that connects people with the latest Wi-Fi initiatives. Founded in 2003, the vision of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) is to drive seamless, interoperable service experiences via Wi-Fi within the global wireless ecosystem. WBA’s mission is to enable collaboration between service providers, technology companies, cities, regulators and organizations to achieve that vision. WBA’s membership is comprised of major operators, identity providers and leading technology companies across the Wi-Fi ecosystem with the shared vision. 

WBA undertakes programs and activities to address business and technical issues, as well as opportunities, for member companies. WBA work areas include standards development, industry guidelines, trials, certification and advocacy. Its key programs include NextGen Wi-Fi, OpenRoaming, 5G, IoT, Testing & Interoperability and Policy & Regulatory Affairs, with member-led Work Groups dedicated to resolving standards and technical issues to promote end-to-end services and accelerate business opportunities. 

The WBA Board includes Airties, AT&T, Boingo Wireless, Broadcom, BT, Cisco Systems, Comcast, Deutsche Telekom AG, Google, Intel and Viasat.  For the complete list of current WBA members, click here.

Follow Wireless Broadband Alliance: 
www.twitter.com/wballiance 

http://www.facebook.com/WirelessBroadbandAlliance

https://www.linkedin.com/company/2919934/

Park Place Technologies Bolsters Ireland Tech Investment

Park Place Technologies, the world’s largest global data centre and networking optimisation firm, has opened its long-awaited Support & Operations Centre at Blarney Business Park, Cork.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

“I am delighted to welcome the official opening of the new Park Place Technologies facility in Blarney, a very positive development for Cork and for the broader region” Taoiseach Micheál Martin said. “The opening of the new facility is testament to the Park Place Technologies continued commitment to Ireland and the growth and success of the company here. The Government will continue to work to support our thriving technology sector, and leading companies such as Park Place Technologies, as we build on the record 2.5 million people now in employment in Ireland and ensure continued opportunities in the future.”

Park Place’s new flagship facility consists of 24,500 square feet. The new facility 6km north of Cork’s city centre, will accommodate Park Place’s growth, allow employee expansion (projected to double by 2024), offer a landmark facility for clients, and provide a high-quality meeting space for prospects and channel partners.

Work positions are filled with local talent, and recruitment will continue for highly skilled engineering and technology positions. These include multiple roles including Support Centre Representatives, Advanced Engineering Technical Support and Buyer Planners. Customer support at the facility is available in all European languages.

Park Place has a long history of investment and philanthropy in Ireland and the wider EMEA region. Its STEM efforts have included partnerships with CoderDojo, a non-profit that teaches children fundamental aspects of computer coding; and a laptop donation programme, TechForGood, with I Wish, an Ireland-based non-profit committed to showcasing the power of STEM to teenage girls.

Ian Shearer, Park Place Managing Director, EMEA & APAC, said, “Park Place Technologies opened its first office in Cork in 2018. Our growth, commitment to the people of Ireland, and investment in local Irish communities through our STEM philanthropy has been consistent, dedicated and a tremendous addition to Cork’s tech presence. Ireland is a prime destination from which to serve our European and global customer base.”

“Park Place represents a modest investment for Ireland, but Ireland represents a major piece of our global investment in customer and employee experience,” said Park Place President and CEO Chris Adams. “As Park Place gains more experience in nearly every region of the globe, it is clear to us that Ireland is a special strategic partner; and the people and business community of County Cork are truly world class in their collaboration, tech skills and vision for the future. We offer tremendous gratitude to IDA Ireland, which has offered insight, guidance and access to resources that have been invaluable to our investment.”

The new Park Place building in Blarney Business Park represents a direct investment in Ireland. Park Place plans to host business and local community events in the facility, so it’s a premises that will benefit the wider community in County Cork in an interactive and accessible way.

“Park Place does not want to be viewed as another U.S. business setting up shop for itself,” said Chris Adams, Park Place President and CEO. “We do things differently when we invest in a community, and we want to prove ourselves as a part of the lives of the people of County Cork.”

Department Manager, Technology Division at IDA Ireland Anne-Marie Tierney Le-Roux said, “Congratulations to Park Place Technologies on the opening of its Support & Operations Centre in Blarney Business Park.  Since first announcing its arrival to Ireland in 2018, Park Place Technologies has developed into an important member of the South West Region’s established Tech cluster.  I wish the team at Park Place Technologies every success as it continues to grow its presence here in Ireland.”