By Business & Finance 
Limerick is set to host an international forum of business leaders in technology, intellectual property, entrepreneurship and investment on January 27th and 28th 2014, when the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) Forum takes place in Limerick.
Led by ITLG chairman and former chairman and CEO of Intel Corp, Craig Barrett and Limerick man John Hartnett, founder and CEO, ITLG, the delegation from Silicon Valley will include top executives from the global tech sector including CISCO, Intel, DELL, Disney, AOL and many more.
Limerick City and County Council, Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), University of Limerick (UL), Shannon Airport and Limerick Chamber have partnered with the Irish Technology Leadership Group (ITLG) to bring the Forum to Munster. The Forum will enable Irish executives in early stage companies to meet and collaborate with leading international figures, expanding their network, creating new business opportunities, and US market opportunities, which will all drive meaningful job creation in the Region. Startups and entrepreneurs will also have the chance to pitch for investment to leading VCs, as well as access to leading experts in IP and commercialisation of research.
“This is a homecoming not only for me, but for many members of the ITLG delegation,” explained John Hartnett, CEO of ITLG. “The Limerick and Shannon region has very strong ties with Silicon Valley, and showcasing the indigenous talent and innovation, while engaging with US investors and tech leaders will serve both our regions exceptionally well in terms of future growth, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment.”
Conn Murray, manager/CEO, Limerick City and County Council, welcomed the ITLG Forum returning to Limerick: “Our region is a natural gateway for US access to Europe with an infrastructure that supports innovation and commercialisation of research, as well as being an ideal location in which to invest,” he said. “We look forward to welcoming the Irish Technology & Leadership Group to Limerick for the Global Technology Forum on 27th and 28th January 2014.”
Hosted in venues across the city, the two day event will kick off with the ITLG Young Innovators event at Shannon Airport, as well as the pitch camps sessions at LIT on 27th January. A VIP dinner will be held in the unique setting of LIT’s School of Art & Design on the eve of the forum. The Global Technology Forum will then take place at University of Limerick on January 28th, and will include keynote presentations and lively panel debates on mobile technologies, innovation and entertainment innovation, investment and entrepreneurship. The Forum will be followed by a Gala Networking Dinner at the Strand Hotel, with a keynote address by Craig Barrett, chairman of ITLG.
Andrew O’Brien, the special representative for Global Partnerships of US Secretary of State Office will also be attending the two-day event. O’Brien previously served as Secretary Kerry’s Massachusetts State Director in the Senate.
Indigenous organisations in the fields of cloud technologies, biotech and convergent pharma, nanotechnology and renewable energies among others have been invited to pitch their business ideas to the international delegation of investors and seasoned entrepreneurs.
For more information or to register, visit ITLG’s website.
