SILICON VALLEY DRAWS IRELAND-BASED ENTREPRENEURS FOR
ENTERPRISE IRELAND-HOSTED BUSINESS PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Highlights Include Executive Leadership Development Program at Stanford University and Kauffman Fellows Program Investor Panel
PALO ALTO, Calif., May 28, 2009—Enterprise Ireland (EI), the Irish Government’s export engine for innovative technologies and services created by Irish companies, welcomes a group of 27 CEOs from Ireland to Silicon Valley this week for a series of events focusing on executive leadership development and strategies to drive global business growth. In support of its efforts, EI is partnering with Stanford University and the Kauffman Fellows Program to provide a dynamic, informative and high-value learning experience for the visiting CEOs. The partnerships highlight the strong links shared by Ireland-based entrepreneurs with business and academic institutions in California’s Silicon Valley—connections that have long catalyzed market opportunities in the US for Irish companies.
Two key events anchor the week’s activities. The first is the Leadership 4 Growth program to be held at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Now in its third year, this popular initiative—a collaborative effort between EI and Stanford University—empowers the CEOs of select Irish companies with leadership strategies to spark growth and greater international traction for their businesses. Under the tutelage of Stanford’s world-class faculty, the executives learn practical strategies, engage with successful entrepreneurs and benefit from customized coaching and mentoring. The program consists of three one-week modules spanning a 12-month period.
The second event involves a panel of investment experts assembled by the Kauffman Fellows Program to address the unique issues facing foreign companies seeking capital from US sources. Four prominent VCs will offer their perspectives at the forum that will be moderated by Kauffman Fellows Program CEO, Phil Wickham. The invitation-only event takes place this evening at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
The panel event will conclude with a keynote address by Declan Kidney, manager of Ireland’s Grand Slam Champion Rubgy team. Kidney’s remarks will focus on winning leadership strategies that prime teams for success in highly competitive environments.
The events represent a cornerstone element of Enterprise Ireland’s initiatives to accelerate growth for Irish companies. According to John McIntyre, EI’s west coast manager and senior vice president of software and services, “Maintaining a vigorous export economy is vital to Ireland’s economic prosperity. To support this national imperative, EI remains dedicated to nurturing high-potential companies at home while helping them gain access to global markets. This week’s events in Silicon Valley will inform and inspire our visiting CEOs with practical new business strategies. Equally important, it allows them to connect with a fertile network of diverse constituents that can influence success for their companies in the US market.”
About Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the Government Agency responsible for driving leadership and growth for innovative Irish companies in international markets. With a network of 13 domestic offices and 32 international locations, Enterprise Ireland helps world-class Irish companies establish strong positions in global markets, thereby increasing regional and national prosperity.
About Enterprise Ireland Americas
For more information on Enterprise Ireland Americas, please visit americas.enterprise-ireland.com
Media Contact
Jane Evans-Ryan
Genuity PR for Enterprise Ireland
Tel: (408) 489-6391
Email: jane@genuitypr.com
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