Enterprise Ireland Reveals new Start-up Initiative with Amazon Web Services
13th July 2020
Irish start-ups are set to benefit from a new joint Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Enterprise Ireland collaboration which will provide entrepreneurs and early stage companies access to a range of resources, benefits and technologies to help them innovate and grow.
The AWS Activate programme is being made available to Enterprise Ireland start-up companies, including New Frontiers Phase II programme participants and High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) with the aim of helping them internationalise faster.
To date, Enterprise Ireland HPSUs have availed of over €4 million in AWS credits through AWS Activate.
Benefits include access to experts who can offer technical, hands-on guidance and support to help businesses leverage the latest secure cloud technologies such as data analytics, AI and machine learning, and more.
Additionally, start-ups benefit from AWS credits, premium business support, and training, including one-on-one sessions and tailored workshops, web-based training, self-paced labs, seminars and events on everything related to building a successful business, from employment and cultural topics to dealing with data security.
Jenny Melia, Manager, HPSU Division, at Enterprise Ireland said: “The collaboration between AWS and Enterprise Ireland demonstrates what can be achieved when two organisations come together to help Irish companies scale faster. We are delighted to work with AWS to provide our companies with the foundation from which they can grow and thrive within the start-up ecosystem.
“Enterprise Ireland works with innovative and ambitious HPSU teams to help them grow their businesses and scale up internationally. In 2019 Enterprise Ireland invested €24 million in Irish start-ups and supported a total of 127 start-up companies. We have launched a new roadmap for HPSUs, the Formula for Success, to support the growth of the next generation of companies and develop Ireland as one of the best locations to start and scale. A key element of the Enterprise Ireland start-up strategy is to bring all the strands of the ecosystem together to ensure that we are maximising all of the support and intelligence available across Ireland Inc.
“Having a strong offer to start and scale is not just about the funding. It’s about fully utilising the developmental supports available through Enterprise Ireland and through our strategic partnerships with Irish industry and stakeholders. Covid-19 has reinforced the need to work together to accelerate Ireland’s recovery from the crisis.”
Tandem HR solutions is an Enterprise Ireland HPSU client that has benefited from AWS Activate. Using AWS, the company built a continuous feedback and coaching performance management tool that tracks and collates development analytics to accelerate performance and increase employee engagement.
Aisling Teillard, CEO and Founder of Tandem HR, commented: “We were delighted to avail of the AWS Activate programme that has brought our company significant cost savings through our grant of free AWS credits. This has made a real difference to our technology team. The AWS credits combined with access to developer support, architectural guidance and the expertise of the AWS team during the current climate is a great support tool as we work remotely. “This collaboration between Enterprise Ireland and AWS Activate for the benefit of young Irish companies is essential especially now as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. We need more of this type of thinking.”
Pictured, prior to Covid-19 lockdown, from L-R: Jenny Melia, Divisional Manager, HPSU, Enterprise Ireland; Mark Dunleavy, Head of Commercial, Ireland, Amazon Web Services; Aisling Teillard, CEO and Founder, Tandem HR and Keith Brock, Senior Development Advisor, HPSU, Enterprise Ireland.
