Start-ups showcase their wares and their aim to create hundreds of jobs

Some 92 companies that aim to create hundreds of jobs by the end of 2013 attended a showcase in Dublin yesterday.

The High-Potential Start-Ups Showcase was opened by Richard Bruton, the jobs minister. Enterprise Ireland defines a high-potential start-up as a company based on technological innovation, likely to achieve sales of €1m per annum and employ 10 people in three years.

Among the exhibiting firms was YouComply Ltd of Tralee. Founder and chief executive John Ogie-Sheehy said his company’s software, which concentrates on management accountability, could be key in helping governments achieve targets.

YouComply’s software constantly checks managers’ key performance indicators to check they are reaching targets. It produces real-time analytics of managers’ performance in a clinical manner.

The company has done some work with the HSE monitoring the implementation of the Croke Park agreement.

Mr Ogie-Sheehy said his company had received €400,000 in investment from Enterprise Ireland and a private investor. “This money will be spent entirely on job creation,” he said.

The software will have applications in the consultancy fields and YouComply has been in talks with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

YouComply was one of 92 companies hoping to achieve combined sales of €200m by the end of 2013.

Enterprise Ireland chairman Hugh Cooney said: “Today’s showcase event is highly encouraging and in Enterprise Ireland we are determined to support these entrepreneurs in every way possible to expand, create jobs and contribute to economic growth.

“Initiatives are in place augmenting support at critical points along the start-up development path, and the overall seed capital and venture capital funding environment for new business has never been stronger.”