Enterprise Ireland proud to have sponsored James Whelton as he started CoderDojo , and is proud to support the Mentor meetup as part of ItsHappeningHere, highlighting the thousands of available jobs in the tech industry.
People at client companies who want to share their tech skills and mentor at CoderDojo are enouraged to drop a line to conference@coderdojo.com
Founded as a volunteer-led club for providing free and open learning in programming technology to young people, the global CoderDojo movement now has over 180 CoderDojos in 23 countries where kids can have fun learning to code in a safe environment. Mentors have taught over 16,000 children the joy of programming and coding.
The CoderDojo phenomenon relies on the voluntary work of mentors. DojoCon is the only international conference aimed at mentors and potential mentors. Now, in its second year DojoCon 2013 will provide mentors from across the globe the opportunity to exchange new ideas, explore cutting-edge technologies and share ideas on sustaining and strengthening the CoderDojo movement when the conference runs on April 12th.
James Whelton gets some practice in for DojoConf 2013 Slane
Bringing mentors together in one place is the aim of the conference organising team. As CoderDojo has come through an amazing growth phase , to make it sustainable, we need to share what works, while keeping the buzz that has made it so successful.
Diverse Keynote Speakers
This year, the conference has a number of distinguished keynote speakers. These include Ireland’s own Jerry Kennelly, an award-winning entrepreneur who started as a photojournalist in Co. Kerry and sold his company (Stockbyte) when it had grown to over 10 per cent of the market for Royalty free photo’s worldwide. Jerry will share his passion for IT in education and the work he is doing with schools country-wide.
Another keynote will be Bill Liao, co-founder of CoderDojo and an early investor in the social networking site XING. As Bill recently told the EU Parliament “The World has a shortage of Coders”. Bill will be speaking on how CoderDojo can help fix this, in the process inspiring a new generation of programmers to create apps and websites limited only by their imaginations.
A capstone talk will come from Kimberly Bryant of Black Girls Code. Flying in from the US, she will be sharing her experiences about gender balance in coding and discuss the sensation that is a complementary club to CoderDojo.
The Informative Schedule
This year’s schedule will feature more than 12 formal and 10 informal sessions with talks covering three main streams. The first stream is Education which will discus new techniques and how CoderDojo differs from the school approach. The second is Technology where mentors will learn about Advanced Scratch, robotics, gaming, audio and more. The third stream is Running a Dojo with tips and ideas on starting and sustaining a Dojo. In addition, there will be a number of panel discussions on mentoring and collaborating both locally and globally.
Ignite on Friday Night
New for 2013, DojoCon is kickstarting the conference on Friday night with a series of ‘Ignite talks’. These fast paced talks in an informal setting will set the scene for the weekend. Over a dozen thinkers, coders and educators will have 5 minutes to inspire fellow mentors.
Drogheda on the Boyne offers the perfect opening location for DojoCo. The river Boyne, where once the Salmon of Knowledge swam, provides the ideal backdrop of the venue for the Friday night Ignite talks. Inspiration and shared experienced will feature heavily in Bru Bar Bistro.
The conference is organised by a core group of volunteers from CoderDojo in Drogheda, Dundalk, Navan, and the Science Gallery, Dublin. The whole team of organisers are really excited about having Dojos from California to Belgium and New York City to Sweden in Drogheda for the weekend. We hope it will attract more software professionals in this area and in all towns around the country to volunteer or start a Dojo and help more kids learn how to code.
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor or finding out more, visit the DojoCon2013 website for more information – http://conference.coderdojo.com/
This is a guest post by Damien Joyce, of HP in Galway. Damien is working in conjunction with GMIT Galway to host the CloudBusting event on the 14th of September. For more news, follow @DamienJoyce on Twitter.
http://www.facebook.com/CloudBusting2012
CloudBusting a FREE day-long tech conference hosted in association with ITAG ,GMIT and supported by HP will be held on the GMIT Galway campus (http://www.gmit.ie/), aims to tackle that question examining the technologies and services offered in the cloud.
Despite cloud computing’s growth in popularity, many IT professionals are still unsure of all the available benefits this platform offers.
This day will give attendees insight on essential cloud topics including available delivery models, market trends and benefits you can achieve by implementing a cloud solution.
Learn about Cloud offerings from Private, hybrid, to public cloud and understand the differences between IaaS, PaaS, SaaS .
Where ever you are on your journey to the cloud there should be something of interest for you across the day which features five distinct tracks (start-ups, web, social media, DevOps,music) and over twenty sessions that attendees can pick and choose content to fit their unique needs.
There will also be a chance to listen to and meet with some of the new exciting Irish start-up companies working in the cloud as they share their experiences.
The goal of this cross-over community day is that attendees leave understanding what is necessary for the different ways to architect, develop and deploy applications and IT solutions in the cloud.
Enterprise Ireland’s Global Sourcing team see this as a good opportunity for companies to work closely with SAP to enhance their products. SAP’s new database technology SAP HANA, is in essence a tool for companies needing to manipulate large volumes of data at speed.
If you want your products to conquer big data, enable your customers run faster and make smarter decisions then the SAP Startup Focus Program could be a great opportunity to enhance your products with SAP HANA in-memory technologies and make your products run hundred thousand times faster.
Why join?
If you are a startup or a company with revenue under 40M and you have a product that could benefit from in-memory technologies then join the program and get up to 65K in licenses, IP and supporting activities to build a proof of concept.
SAP is one of the top brands in the world. Based on how compelling is the proof of concept further opportunities could include co-branded positioning, demand generation and general awareness. We will be actively recommending most promising startups to SAP Ventures.
How do I start?
Come to our first SAP Startup Focus Forum, an event where you can present your products, discuss big data trends, learn how in-memory technologies can make a difference for you and explore support options and funding opportunities for your startup.
When: September 6th 2012 from 9:00 –18:00
Where: SAP AppHaus, Waterside, Kingswood Avenue, City West Business Campus, Dublin 24.
From the forum, six to ten promising firms will be invited to join a development accelerator. The objective is to help you to build a Proof of Concept and, eventually, a product with explicit business value. Startups are selected based on desirability, feasibility and viability of their products.
The accelerator kicks off with an intensive boot camp on SAP HANA development topics. Once development is underway, we support participants with regular architecture reviews, technical support and consulting. We offer scheduled ‘office hours’ for technical teams to dial-in, an inclusive network of HANA experts and a private community to discuss challenges and share experiences.
The SAP Startup Focus is working closely with SAP Ventures to identify and cultivate groundbreaking startups who can deliver high quality solutions to real-world problems using HANA. While the Startup Focus does not fund startups (other than with program support) and participation in the program does not guarantee venture funding, the program will actively be recommending promising startups to SAP Ventures.
Learn more about SAP In Memory technologies and SAP HANA success stories:
Carole Brenan, EI, and Minister John Perry Launching the Fund
Do you know someone who wants to set up a new business in Donegal, Sligo or Leitrim? If you do, we would be grateful if you could please advise them of the following:
Enterprise Ireland has launched a new feasibility fund to help entrepreneurs research their business ideas. Funding of up to €25,000 per project will be considered on a competitive basis (up to 50% of eligible expenditure).
But…..please hurry as the closing date is this Friday, the 22nd of June .
This fund is open to applications from the ICT, Industrial and Food sectors including the following sub-sectors: Internet, Games SaaS, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Telecoms, Lifesciences, Cleantech and Industrial Products. Full details of the fund including the application form can be found at http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/nwf
For the 2nd Year, I’m delighted that Enterprise Ireland is taking part in the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference. The 2012 WPC which takes place in Toronto from July 8th to 12th and provides one of the best forums for companies to connect with Microsoft channel partners and with Microsoft staff, and to learn about the latest Microsoft programs, strategies, and cutting-edge technologies.
You can visit Digital WPC to find everything you need to know about the event.
Twelve to Fifteen Enterprise Ireland client companies are being offered the opportunity to participate in an ‘Ireland @ WPC’ stand at Microsoft WPC 2012. This is the second Enterprise Ireland participation at WPC and we are keen to build on last year’s success.
The Enterprise Ireland subsidised cost of participation at Microsoft WPC 2012 is €2,450 + 23% VAT per company.
The competition for space on the Ireland Stand at this show will be intense so early registration is advised. Places will be allocated to qualified client companies on a first come, first served basis.
As part the 2012 series of lean events, Thousand Seeds are hosting two half day workshops on 1st and 2nd May focused on practical ways to be customer centric to achieve sales. Delivered by Brant Cooper (author of ‘The Entrepreneurs Guide to Customer Development’), the sessions build upon the earlier successful events hosted by Thousand Seeds. Enterprise Ireland sees these events as supporting entrepreneurs who want to grow and prosper, bring as they do, key actors to Ireland to share their experience.
More information and registration for the event is on EventBrite. Places are limited to 50 participants per workshop. Thousands seeds also share their knowledge on their blog.
This in-depth, hands-on workshop is designed for entrepreneurs, corporates and SME’s who want to be customer-centric and to raise their odds for building successful products, OR CEO’s, CTO’s and consultants who work with getting products to market. As well as including a pdf copy of Brant’s book, the workshop will cover
Learn how to Get Started
The difference between listening to customers and doing what they say
How Customer Development fits into the Build -> Measure -> Learn framework
The Stages of Customer Development
When NOT to do Customer Development
Praise for Brandt , the workshop host, from a previous Thousand Seeds Speaker;
“Brant is one of the foremost experts in the emerging science of entrepreneurship. I’ve seen him teach about customer development and it’s practical, action-oriented, and persuasive. I’ve had the pleasure of hosting Brant at several conferences, and he always delivers.”
If you are a software company seeking funding, legal advice and mentoring, then you should be applying for this year’s ISA Software Investor Forum. This forum, organised by the Irish Software Association, the Irish Venture Capital Association and HBAN is both a ‘pitching competition’ and a workshop for all scaling companies looking to grow their business.
Companies will be given a platform to pitch their product or service to a panel of established investors. This is a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to connect with venture capitalists and business angels on the look out for new business opportunities. All participants will receive constructive feedback from the panel. For some it could result in investment in their company.
http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-6053404410
The forum will be attended by a number of accomplished serial entrepreneurs including Iona co-founder Sean Baker, Helix Health CEO Howard Beggs and Holignment CEO Declan Kavanagh, who will answer your questions and offer advice on a range of business issues. If you are having difficulties navigating legal issues like shareholding and IP protection, Thérèse Rochford from WhitneyMoore will also be on hand to answer your questions.
The closing date for applications is the 13th April 2012 and the event will be taking place in the Guinness Enterprise Centre on 10th of May 2012
If you think your company has the potential to be the ISA Software Investor Forum Company of 2012 apply now!
Planning a new venture? Ireland is the best location in the world for startups. Fact.
The World Bank, recently ranked Ireland as the top country in Europe for starting a company.
As well as hosting some of Europe’s top accelerator programs, Ireland has a high rate of seed and venture capital availability.
Ireland’s population is young, highly innovative, well-educated and multi-lingual.
Strategically located with easy access to the important markets in Europe, US and the middle east. Ireland is the only English speaking country in the Euro-zone.
Ireland is a great place to live and work.
This St. Patricks Day, We want you to spread the message;
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets with a dedicated startup support team. Every year we assist hundreds of companies across technology, medical, biotech, games and other sectors as they take on the world from Ireland. We provide equity investment, expert mentors, incubation programs and a unique global network of 30 offices to accelerate your growth.To find out more, go to www.StartInIreland.com
Here in Enterprise Ireland we work with the full range of Irish Companies – from startups, to more established companies, to those ready and able to scale rapidly in global markets. Our clients have also demanded that we fill a gap in our portfolio; Companies that have been trading in the Irish Market for a number of years, who are ready and able to take the next step and win sales in export markets.
Identify more exporters and providing focussed targeted supports to these companies
Provide supports for 1800 companies in 2012
Achieve an increase of 60% in the number of companies which will receive the Going Global grant in 2012, compared with 2011
Our “Get Export Ready” range of supports are aimed specifically at pre-export and early stage exporting companies and include the new supports for exporting companies:
Workshops, seminars and training across the country
Mentoring and advocate support
Access to market information
A new website with “how to” guides, links to relevant information, self-assessment tools and templates
A dedicated helpdesk
Access to advice from successful exporting companies
Access to a range of Enterprise Ireland financial supports
At the Launch in Dublin Port, Minister Bruton said:
If we are to see the jobs recovery we so badly need, we must create a powerful engine of indigenous enterprise. While exports continue to grow strongly, we must ensure that we achieve a substantial improvement in the export performance of Irish businesses. That is why, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs, we are overhauling the way Government supports companies who have potential to trade in foreign markets, creating a new Potential Exporters Division to focus on improving export performance, and implementing a range of new supports to help these companies as they seek to export more.
This is a guest post from Gavin Henrick, elearning consultant, blogger and co-author of Moodle for Business. Gavin is one of the organisers of the Moodle Conference taking place in Dublin on April 2-4. For more information follow gavin on Twitter @ghenrick or follow his blog for more information on Moodle and elearning.
What exactly, you may well ask, is Moodle? Well, for those not in the know, Moodle is an open source software LMS (Learning Management System) used by millions of people globally. Within an Irish context, Moodle can be found in an increasing number of third-level education institutions, either as the main LMS or in various departments within establishments such as DCU, NUI Maynooth, UCD, Royal College of Surgeons, Law Society of Ireland, ITs in Waterford, Tallaght, Athlone, Sligo, and many other schools.
Learning Management Systems are used to support and enhance the delivery of learning and include features such as online quizzes and tests, student collaboration tools, student assessment tools and course administration features.
There is a distinct financial advantage in engaging with open source software, notably in the way that colleges and universities can own their learning management software rather than paying a license for software. Apart from the license saving, the other primary benefit of using open source software is that it gives IT support and developers full access to the source code. Some institutions strengthen their IT departments by looking after the system in-house, but it can also enable the local software services industry to provide hosting, support, training, development and integration services.
For those who would like to find out more about Moodle, there is an Ireland & UK Moodlemoot Conference being held in Dublin. The conference (which takes place April 2-4, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Northwood, Santry, and includes presentations, workshops and a Gala Dinner) is operated in partnership with DCU, one of the earliest Moodle adopters in Ireland.
The impact of staging the conference in Dublin is intensified with recent pushes in cost effective service provision and the drive for cost reductions in colleges, ITs and universities.
