Firms urged to target US deals
Twenty hi-tech firms were in New York yesterday with Enterprise Ireland pitching their products to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
In a joint initiative with the bank, the companies met with the bank’s technologists.
Enterprise Ireland said the aim of the one-day event was to better position the companies for potential partnership opportunities with the bank and other leading US companies.
Corporate strategy executive at the bank, Jim Kelly, said it is constantly looking ahead for new technologies that can further improve efficiencies and provide the highest level of data security.
“Technology innovation is a key component of the bank’s operations in Ireland and events like this give us an early look at emerging technologies.”
Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving about 57 million customers in 40 countries.
Ireland country executive, Peter Keegan, said: “We’re keen to see the latest innovation from the Irish companies and we’re pleased to connect them with our valued technology partners.”
Ireland has about 800 software firms, employing about 25,000 people.
Bank of America employs almost 1,650 staff in Ireland and has a research development and innovation centre in Dublin.
Enterprise Ireland chairman, Hugh Cooney, said this sector of the economy performed particularly well last year.
“In fact, exports to the US grew by 12%.
“This speaks to the quality and innovation of the technology and the rising demand for advanced solutions from Irish companies by US institutions. We’re confident that 2011 will bring further growth.”
