It’s one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the States – a centre for IT innovation, aerospace and defence manufacturing, beef barons and oil tycoons and home to the SXSW music and media showcase. And in March 2013, and it will be the destination for an Enterprise Ireland ministerial-led cross-sectoral trade mission.
In the latest edition of Enterprise Ireland‘s The Market magazine, Nick Marmion looks at why it’s hats off to the Lone Star State.
Texas is the second largest economy in the United States and the 15th largest in the world. What’s more, it’s the largest exporter of goods in the US: Texas currently grosses more than $100 billion a year in trade with other nations. It’s also home to 51 Fortune 500 companies, making it third in line after New York (with 57) and California (53). Irish companies with operations in Texas include Intuition, Kentz, Sercom, Firecomms, Icon and Trintech. But we believe the state presents further, and as yet barely exploited, opportunities for Irish companies to sell goods and services, develop partnerships and explore research linkages. In March 2013, we will co-ordinate a ministerial-led, cross-sectoral trade mission to Texas, taking in Dallas, Houston and Austin. This should be of particular interest to companies with solutions in the areas of:
- Wireless telecoms, chip and ICT manufacturing
- Medical device and IT for life sciences
- Oil and gas
- Smartfarm products for the dairy and cattle industries
DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY
One of the first industries to thrive in Texas after the civil war was cattle. Due to its long history as a centre of the livestock industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy.
However, the state’s fortunes expanded in the early 20th century, when the oil started to flow. With strong investments in universities, Texas has developed a diversified economy and high-tech industry. Today, it is a leader in many industries, including agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace and biomedical sciences.
ICT HUB
Texas is one of the major hubs in the US for computer components and systems, as well as software. The Austin area is often referred to as ‘Silicon Hills’ because of the concentration of semiconductor design companies. Dell’s headquarters are located in the city’s suburb, Round Rock. Dallas is the birthplace of the integrated circuit, and by some definitions, the birthplace of the microprocessor. The North Dallas area has a high concentration of IT companies such as Texas Instruments and EDS. In addition, Harris County-based Compaq was once one of the world’s largest computer companies, and since Compaq’s merger with Hewlett-Packard, HP currently employs more employees in the Houston area than anywhere else in the world.
ENERGY CAPITAL
Texas is a global leader in the energy industry, and Houston is the energy capital of the world. The known petroleum deposits of Texas are about 8 billion barrels – or approximately one third of known US supply. As wells are depleted in the eastern portions of the state, drilling has moved westward. Several of the major oil companies have headquarters in Texas, including Conoco Phillips, Marathon Oil (Houston), Exxon-Mobil (Irving), Tesoro, and Valero (San Antonio). In addition, many of the world’s largest oilfield services firms, including Halliburton, Schlumberger and Dresser, have made Texas home, and major pipeline operators, such as El Paso and Dynegy, along with diversified energy firms such as TXU and Reliant Energy, are also there.
Since 2003, Texas state officials have created various initiatives like the Texas Enterprise Fund and the Texas Emerging Technology Fund to develop the economy of Texas. Texas has become a leader in alternative energy sources, producing more wind power than any other state, and it has also invested in small-scale solar power and experimental wave power generators.
DEFENCE
A large number of defence contractors are located in Dallas and Houston, creating strong employment for the state. Two divisions of Lockheed Martin have their headquarters in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Fort Worthis where the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the largest Western fighter craft – and its successors the F-35 Lightning II and the F-22 Raptor – are manufactured. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is headquartered in Grand Prairie.
MUSIC AND MEDIA
Running from March 10 to 13, 2013, the Irish trade mission will coincide with the South by Southwest (SXSW) annual week of conferences and festivals. SXSW has become an increasingly important destination for Irish companies interested in the convergence of music, film, internet and emerging technologies, and we expect 30 to 40 client companies from these sectors alone to travel to Houston between March 8 and 17, 2013. So it’s come to Houston – and Dallas, and Austin.
For further information, contact Nick Marmion, Enterprise Ireland’s US West Coast Manager, nick.marmion@enterpriseireland.com, +1 650 294 4081.
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INVITATION TO ATTEND SXSW
After last year’s inaugural SXSW delegation, EnterpriseIrelandis again showcasing the best Irish technology at South by Southwest (SXSW) conference from March 9 – 17th 2012.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
SXSW is widely recognised as the premier conference for the most ambitious web and digital media companies to showcase their technologies (Twitter 2007, Foursquare 2009, GameSalad 2009, FoodSpotting 2010, all launched here),mix with the key players in web, interactive media, film and music industries to drive their business forward. This conference is geared toward software and hardware manufacturers, social media solutions, infrastructure and hosting providers, SEO, SEM and marketing leaders, independent game developers, publishers, web applications, gaming studios, digital media industry professionals, and internet trend-setters and taste-makers from all around the world. And that’s why we want you,Ireland’s best start-ups, innovators and creatives to join the 2012 delegation.
The Offer
EnterpriseIrelandis supporting SXSW Gold Badge at a rate of €985 plus 23% VAT per delegate for Enterprise Ireland clients. Non Enterprise Ireland clients can participate at €1,970 plus 23% VAT per delegate.
Delegation package includes:
National branded trade stand during Trade Show – designed for your meeting use
Company logo included in signage on the stand
EnterpriseIrelandnetworking event – Interactive opening night Sat March 10th 5 pm – open to you network
Entrance for Interactive & Film Conferences & Festivals
5 Days of Film and Interactive Panels and Keynotes
4 Days of SXSW Trade Show: The Exhibition for Creative Industries
4 Days of Day Stage Programming
Unlimited Networking Opportunities
Interactive Awards and Pre-Party
Featured Speakers and Q&A sessions
Interactive Core Conversations and BookReadings
SXSW ScreenBurn Arcade
SXSW ScreenBurn Panel Programming
Online SXsocial, Productivity and Networking Tools
Registrant Lounges
Continuing Legal Education Program (CLE)
Official Film and Interactive Parties including all Opening, Closing and Intermission Parties
AdditionallyEnterpriseIrelandwill be marketing our delegation to 36,000 attendees with a branded stand and supporting advertising for our Networking Event.
SXSW begins on March 9th – 17th with the Interactive conference commencing on March 9th; Trade show floor is open on Monday and runs until Thursday.
Registration
Space is limited so don’t delay!
To register, CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ON LINE.
https://www.eventsforce.net/enterpriseireland/338/register
Closing date for registration is Wednesday 14 December 2011.
You will be asked for the following mandatory details during registration:
Delegate contact details
Company profile and logo
Credit card details for deposit payment
Hotel accommodation dates (REQUIRED)
EnterpriseIrelandis offering this package on a first come first served basis. Please note that space is limited so don’t delay! For Enterprise Ireland clients, a non refundable fee of €1,191.85 (this is made up of your participation fee of €985 plus VAT at 23%) is due by credit card upon registration in order to secure your place. An invoice will be issued after the event. Non Enterprise Ireland clients can participate at this event for a participation fee of €1,970 plus 23% VAT. A non refundable deposit of €1,210 (this is made up of €1,000 plus 23% VAT) is due upon registration in order to secure a place on this event.
Click
here to view the official SXSW website, and for further information, contact simone.boswell@enterprise-ireland.com.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations should be received in writing to
susan.fanning@enterprise-ireland.com.
There are no refunds associated with this event. In the event that you cannot attend you may nominate a substitute colleague to attend on your behalf, a transfer fee will be incurred.
Looking forward to seeing you inAustin!
This March, Enterprise Ireland will be showcasing the best Irish technology at South by Southwest (SXSW) conference. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, SXSW is widely recognised as the premier destination for the most ambitious digital media companies to showcase their technologies (Twitter launched here just a few years ago), mix with the key players in the interactive media, film and music industries to ultimately drive their business forward. Convergence is happening. And SXSW is at its center.
- Our Space is 1135, Exhibit hall 3. Trinity Street Entrance is closest.
- Networking: Tuesday, March 15, 4:00pm – 6:00pmWe are hosting our SX networking event during the SX Block Party Tuesday, March 15, 4:00pm – 6:00pm. Please attend and encourage your contacts to stop by.
- International Technology Panel: http://sxsw.com/techsummit/ Please attend on March 17th. Delegates include: Moderator Mark Little – Storyful, Matt Bonner from Trezur and Michael Geraghty from Ticket Truck, panelists.March 17th3:30pm – 4:30pmHilton Salon F (more…)
Irish start-up In Hand Guides (IHG) this week announced an alliance with North American AudioConexus, securing the Cork-based company with an estimated US$1.2m deal throughout 2011/2012.
IHG, which designs low-cost embedded audio players, will provide branded bespoke devices for the clients of AudioConexus across North America and in certain countries outside the US.
Toronto-based AudioConexus specialises in GPS solutions for mobile tourism, fixed venues and interpretive walking tours throughout numerous destinations and applications. These systems will enable automated (GPS-triggered) sightseeing experiences in multiple topics and languages. IHG audio players will open up major sales opportunities for AudioConexus.
“In Hand Guides are delighted to announce this alliance, as I believe AudioConexus are a perfect fit for our sales development into the tourism markets of North America,” said Trevor Winckworth, CEO and founder of IHG.
“The alliance represents two young and innovative companies working together to provide memorable visitor experiences.”
Last November, IHG announced an agreement with Twin America, which operates CitySights NY and Gray Line New York, to design and manufacture audio devices for Twin America’s 3m annual customers. Supported by Enterprise Ireland, IHG will support AudioConexus from its office in the USA.
AudioConexus, branding, cork, hear, in hand guides, innovative, ireland, listen, record, recording, start-up, tourism, Travel, trevor Winckworth, USA
Irish headquartered 3D4Medical.com, which specializes in creating 3D medical applications for iPhone and iPad, is now being featured in the new Apple iPad TV advertising campaign. The Heart Pro app is displayed in ads in Great Britain, France, Germany, Spain and Japan. It was chosen from over almost 400,000 apps in the app store. See the ad here: http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/gallery/ads.html
 If you hit the snooze button a few too many times last Friday, you’re in luck. SXSW decided to accept late entries for the SXSW Interactive Awards competition until December 31.
So if you missed last week’s deadline or your new digital work just launched, don’t fret. You can still enter this year’s SXSW Interactive Awards until 2011 kicks off.
Then come to the SXSW Interactive festival in March and attend the Interactive Awards Ceremony on its new night, Tuesday, March 15 to see how takes home the Internet’s top prizes.
Enterprise Ireland Delegation details coming soon. For more information immediately please contact Simone Boswell at Simone.Boswell@enterprise-ireland.com
Produced by PathPacific.com
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/16311085[/vimeo]
Founder and CEO of YouTube. Youtube is the world’s number one video sharing website. Chad shares his story of how YouTube was created. He also talks about being an Arts Major at College and Selling YouTube to Google. Chad presented at the Dublin Web Summit.
You’re invited to “THE FUTURE OF MOBILE SERVICES WORKSHOP 2011”
Jan 18, 2011 | 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM | ArcLabs Innovation Centre, WIT West Campus, Carriganore
 With the introduction of the iPhone and the Android operating system, Mobile services have exploded over the past two years, Join ‘The Future of Mobile Services” Workshop 2011 to discover where mobile services are going over the next four years and how this will impact your business. This event is designed to bring research to industry – to show you new trends and technologies that will help you become more competitive and better informed about the next wave of technology.
Hear from one of Ireland’s largest mobile and telecoms research centres, the Telecommunications Software and Systems Group (TSSG) together with its industry focused research and commercialisation arm the Centre for Converged Services (3CS). REGISTER NOW for workshops to discover more about:
- The future of mobile apps
- Pervasive and Context aware mobile services
- Mobile IMS services, mobile social network services
- Analytics and mobile social network analysis
Join the networking sessions and open debate; and voice your opinions on the type of mobile research that your company and industry would want to see in the future, learn how Enterprise Ireland can assist you in mobile Research & Development.
REGISTER Today or FOWARD TO A FRIEND and don’t miss out on this great opportunity!
New fund will help start ups enter the international marketplace
Enterprise Ireland has today (2nd December 2010) launched an initiative called the Internet and Games Competitive Start Fund to help internet and games start ups get off the ground and launch new products and services in the international marketplace. This competitive fund is focused on providing start ups with critical early stage funding to explore and determine the market fit of their business and progress to product launch.
The new fund is being introduced on a pilot basis for 10 start ups in the Internet and Games sector, who can demonstrate an ability to grow their business internationally. The initial fund for Internet and Games start ups will be €500,000 but it is envisaged that this will be expanded to include further sectors in early 2011.
This competitive fund marks a speedy implementation of one of the key recommendations in the Report of the Innovation Task Force which highlighted the need for greater support for very early stage start ups.
Under the terms of the new fund, start ups will receive an equity investment of €50,000 for a 10% ordinary equity stake. In addition to funding, each start up will be provided with an experienced business mentor to support them. The application process has been designed to be fast and efficient to allow the new start ups to concentrate on validating their business concept and getting to market entry stage as quickly as possible. (more…)
Last week I met with Donna Michaels, President of the Loughlin/Michaels Group. She shared with me the following six tips which are intended to help you put some new life into your campaign, by thinking about social media in a more nuanced way. Here is what they have to say…
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