Galway conference aims to showcase best of industry and future vision

A host of top speakers from the worlds of business and sport are participating in a one-day summit at NUI Galway that will show the west to the world in its most favourable light.

The aim of Innovating West is two-fold – to showcase those who have successfully built world-class teams in here, from ICT and medtech to food and sports, and to kick-start discussions around what is required to create a Galway City Innovation District, and to replicate such ecosystems throughout the West.

The summit takes place on Friday week, March 13, and speakers include Gerry Barry, founder of Fintrax, which was sold for €170m; Dorothy Creaven, CEO of Element Wave, awarded best new startup in the 2013 InterTradeIreland Seedcorn competition; serial entrepreneur Padraig Ó Ceidigh; Pat Lam and Eric Elwood from Connacht Rugby, and John Concannon, the creator of the Gathering and director of Ireland 2016.

Other contributors include Oliver Daniels, CEO, Insight Centre for Data Analytics; Paul Duggan, Global Account Manager, Google; Mark Gantly, Managing Director, HP Galway; Nicola Byrne, CEO, Cloud90; Willie Ruane, CEO, Connacht Rugby; Alan Kerins, CEO, Alan Kerins Projects, and John Breslin, NUI Galway and co-founder, boards.ie

The state support network is represented by Catherina Blewitt, West Regional Manager, IDA; Breda Fox, Head, Galway Local Enterprise Office, and Barry Egan, West Regional Director, Enterprise Ireland, among others.

Event organiser, Dave Cunningham, described Innovating West as a celebration of past innovation and achievement, current entrepreneurship and talent, and the future opportunities for business in the West.

“Over the years Galway has produced many leaders and entrepreneurs. The Innovating West Event is bringing together these talents to share their experiences and ideas.

“Galway City has a great opportunity to position itself as the West of Ireland Hub (the San Francisco of Europe) for creators and innovators.

“An Innovation District in the heart of Galway will allow for an ecosystem to develop where established companies and start-ups come together to establish new technologies and services with global reach.

“The Galway City Innovation District has been strongly supported by Galway City Council, who have committed to supporting Innovating West and the Innovation District as part of its’ short and long term plans,” he said.

You can register now at www.innovatingwest.com