BizSpark Ireland – News and Upcoming Events for April / May 2009
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BizSpark Startups Can Now Join Metro: Get Pre-release Support and Training!
Metro, Microsoft’s early adoption program that provides access to training and a broad range of pre-release support for projects based on Microsoft’s newest technologies, is now available for BizSpark startups. Get free support and resources on Windows 7, Azure, .NET 4.0, Visual Studio 2010, Office 14 and more!
Join Metro by logging into your account from the BizSpark Welcome Page on the BizSpark Portal— look for the Metro banner on the bottom of the page.
DBIC/Guinness Enterprise Center BizSpark Cluster
GEC provides a positive entrepreneurial environment for start up companies and early stage developing enterprises. GEC plan to designate an open plan office suite to facilitate the development of a Microsoft® BizSpark™ start up cluster of enterprises.
The overall objective of this cluster is to accelerate the success of early stage software start up companies in Dublin.
Bizspark participants will join the GEC / DBIC community of over 100 entrepreneurs who have started their companies with GEC / DBIC business mentoring, guidance and resources, and who are equally driven by innovation and technology. For more information attend the breakfast briefing in April (see the events section) or contact me.
17th Hothouse Venture Programme
The Hothouse Venture Programme is a year-long comprehensive support and incubation programme for entrepreneurs with technology-based business ideas. There are sixteen places available on each Programme. Participants must have left full-time employment and be working full-time on developing their new business. Read more.
Invent DCU launches Business-Start-Programme
April 24th 2009
Location: Invent DCU
The Business-Start-Programme is a six week part-time programme offering people with a business idea the chance to investigate its potential.
The programme is designed to fit around people who work and weekly sessions are held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. The programme takes participants through the planning elements necessary for start-up business.
If you are interested in taking part in the programme or would like further information please contact me.
Innovation Accelerator
Microsoft Ireland in conjunction with the Digital Media Forum hosted an Innovation Accelerator event on Feb 24th where over 200 startups attended to hear some of Ireland’s most successful entrepreneurs including Iona Founder, Chris Horn Havok founder, Dr Steve Collins share their experiences. In addition to hearing about past success stories attendees were also given extensive practical advice from a range of experts who hosted workshops in key areas such as business planning, sales, marketing, financial and legal services. Read More. Thanks to Peter Griffin, of PowerManual, a local BizSpark startup, for producing this manual of the slides using PowerManual V2! We’re still working on making videos of the sessions available.
Get Hard to Find Windows® 7 Beta
As a BizSpark startup, you get access to the Windows 7 Beta from your MSDN subscription — downloaded from MSDN. Use the beta to test the compatibility of your application. If you’re having application compatibility problems, get all the technical resources and guidance you need from the Metro Portal — see Metro story for details on joining.
Promote Your Company on BizSpark DB.
Want to promote your startup to potential investors, clients, employees, and partners? Go to the “Add Your Startup” tab on the BizSparkDB at microsoftstartupzone.com, fill out a short profile and we’ll do the rest. It’s so easy. Each week, we select a new startup to showcase.
Our local Network Partners
Network Partners are a crucial part of BizSpark and our local community is shaping up nicely. You can find latest details of NPs in Ireland/Northern Ireland here and they are also mapped on Virtual Earth. Suggestions for new Network Partners are always welcome! Note that many of our Network Partners are hosting events over the coming months which you may find useful – see the Events section below for more details.
Events: Join Us
Microsoft European Investor Summit
Prague – 12/13 May 2009
We are now accepting registrations for our event in CZ in May for investors and start-ups. This is an opportunity for start-ups who are seeking funding to pitch to 80+ investors from across Europe. If you are interested in pitching please contact me and we will nominate you. (Accommodation will be paid for pitching companies).
BizSpark Breakfast Briefing - DBIC
April 27th 2009
8.30am-10.30am Guinness Enterprise Centre
Further details will be posted here as they become available.
Platform Briefing, presented by Spanish Point Technologies Ltd
April, 2009
Live Meeting
Attend this Live Meeting from your desk to get an overview of the current Microsoft application platform. The aim is to "get you current" with the platform and its latest features, from .NET 3.5 to MOSS 2007. Contact me if you are interested in attending.
Networking Event ‘Knowledge Economy Research: Supports for 3rd Level & Companies to facilitate commercialisation and collaboration’
April 2nd 2009
1.30 pm -5.00 pm, Thomond Park, Limerick.
For start up entrepreneurs and established businesses to focus on the supports available in Ireland for research commercialisation, industry/3rd level collaboration and technology transfer. See http://www.eac.ie/SNSevent.htm for full agenda, speakers and how to book your place.
Better Business Online in a Tough Economy: Money, Marketing, Monitoring & Mobile
The IIA Annual Congress 2009 will be held on Thursday 21 May and Friday 22 May in the Crowne Plaza Dublin Northwood. The Net Visionary Awards 2009 will also be held on the first night of Congress, 21 May. Read More.
“The Juice” Breakfast Briefing
Tuesday April 21st, 8.30 – 10.00, Synergy Centre, ITT Dublin
Brian Hurley, Director of Outsourcing Services at HP will advise high technology start-ups on how to win outsourced business. Places are free see www.synergycentre.ie for more details.
Get Motivated and Get Marketing!
April 29th 2009
10.00am-1pm, The Digital Exchange Building, Crane St, Dublin 8.
Attention start-ups! This free event will give attendees the chance to learn more about marketing their company. Speakers on the day will give tips on marketing on a budget, email campaigns and online marketing methods, such as Facebook and Twitter. Please click to find out more and to register for this event. http://www.ingage.ie/merrionbd/invitation/invitation.html
Creating Relevant & Profitable Online Services.
16 Apr 2009
The IIA and Front present a half day course on how to design online services and businesses that succeed! Read More.
Meetball: Demonstration & Networking Breakfast.
22 May 2009
The IIA presents the first in a new series of Demonstration and Networking events entitled Meetball. Read More.
Cross posted from Ronan's blog