The Ireland Brothers Inc. initiative is a fantastically simple yet game changing idea.
The Board and Promoters (private sector individuals with proven track records from across the island and the US) intend to attract up to 32 companies (stemming from the availability of 32 units of 500 to 750 sq. ft.) and create 32 relationships for them on the other side of the Atlantic. A relationship is defined as a Mentor, Capital Provider, Customer, Collaborative Partner or Supplier.
In addition we intend to instigate or stimulate 32 relationships on the other side of the Irish border, thus giving opportunity for companies from Limerick, Galway, Cork, Dublin, etc. as well as Belfast. We will also encourage relationships across the Irish Sea, recognising that the #1 trading partner of Northern Ireland is Great Britain, as is also the case for the Republic of Ireland.
The initiative is ready to roll, subject to locking down the Participation Agreements and will take 12 months from soup to nuts. In the meantime the work of identifying the best and brightest talent in Belfast (and beyond) is underway and relationships can and will be established before the Real Estate component is complete.
Wednesday 3 March 2010
UI + Relationships = $£€
Michael Flannery tells of the importance of pre-validated relationships in USA and partnering with the right people in exporting technology and Creative talent from Northern Ireland.
He explains the importance of the right relationships, smart capital and management team. Many fail by 'setting up shop with the wrong partners'. From experience Michael talks about 'de-risking' early stage companies.
He draws parallels between New York and what is going on in Belfast, with the broadband connections, ecosystem and great Universities.
Quoting Mary Meeker of Morgan Stanley we are told that by the year 2012 more people will access the internet using mobile technology than their PCs.
Belfast understands the importance of 'UI' - the User Interface - the importance of design and how people relate to and interact with Apps and their devices. The University of Ulster for example produces more creative industry graduates than any institution on the island of Ireland. Add to that the riches of Queen's University and the Belfast Metropolitan College (to be illustrative rather than all-inclusive) and you can see Belfast and Northern Ireland has much to offer.
He explains the importance of the right relationships, smart capital and management team. Many fail by 'setting up shop with the wrong partners'. From experience Michael talks about 'de-risking' early stage companies.
He draws parallels between New York and what is going on in Belfast, with the broadband connections, ecosystem and great Universities.
Quoting Mary Meeker of Morgan Stanley we are told that by the year 2012 more people will access the internet using mobile technology than their PCs.
Belfast understands the importance of 'UI' - the User Interface - the importance of design and how people relate to and interact with Apps and their devices. The University of Ulster for example produces more creative industry graduates than any institution on the island of Ireland. Add to that the riches of Queen's University and the Belfast Metropolitan College (to be illustrative rather than all-inclusive) and you can see Belfast and Northern Ireland has much to offer.
Michael Flannery on a snowy Bryant Park
I'm just back from a hectic but invigorating trip to New York City, Washington and Philadelphia.
We spent time with great Friends of Belfast, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
We tapped into an incredible ecosystem of technologists, creative industry professionals and financiers.
The mood was interesting (more anon), but the opportunity for the north was palpable.
I love New York, it neighbourhoods and ironically its subtleties. Michael Flannery, New York based Chairman of Ireland Brother Inc. and Patron Trustee of The Presidents' Club gave us this personal tour of a snowy Bryant Park.
Mark
We spent time with great Friends of Belfast, Northern Ireland and Ireland.
We tapped into an incredible ecosystem of technologists, creative industry professionals and financiers.
The mood was interesting (more anon), but the opportunity for the north was palpable.
I love New York, it neighbourhoods and ironically its subtleties. Michael Flannery, New York based Chairman of Ireland Brother Inc. and Patron Trustee of The Presidents' Club gave us this personal tour of a snowy Bryant Park.
Mark
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