€200k invested in ITLG office

THE Government is establishing a secretariat in Silicon Valley through a €200,000 investment following a recommendation at the recent think-in at Farmleigh.

The grant has been awarded to the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) to assist with the establishment of the full-time secretariat.

Former Intel chairman and chief executive, Dr Craig Barrett will become chairman of the ITLG.

This is the first step in the establishment of an Irish innovation centre which is expected to open in San Jose early next year.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said: “The ITLG is a dynamic organisation that in the space of only two years has offered invaluable opportunities and advice to Irish companies to expand and develop in the United States.

“Led by a group of young and innovative Irish entrepreneurs, the ITLG has been particularly successful in addressing and maximising the potential of the global Irish and played an important role at this year’s inaugural Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin.

“In recognition of their exciting development plans, the Government is pleased to have provided $300,000 to the organisation in 2009.”

Established in 2007, the ITLG is a non-profit organisation comprised of a number of high-level technology leaders in Silicon Valley who are Irish or Irish-American.

The group includes senior executives from some of the valley’s leading corporations.

A spokesperson from the ITLG said: “The ITLG continue to be grateful and appreciative for the ongoing support and encouragement of Micheál Martin, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs. The minister and his department have been unstinting in their encouragement and support of our efforts on behalf of Irish innovation companies.

It added that the establishment of a full-time secretariat is of “critical importance” as its expands its global network.