Mayo hosting two Gatherings of Technology Entrepreneurs following the Web Summit

Mayo is kicking off an international employment and local innovation drive this weekend by hosting two gatherings of technology entrepreneurs who have been attending the Web Summit. One group of 200 entrepreneurs, venture capital investors and Silicon Valley journalists are going to Mayo for surfing, kite-surfing, cycling and discussions with local entrepreneurs.

Another group, involved with drones and big data technologies are travelling after the Web Summit to Castlebar for a conference including leading entrepreneurs and tech investors from around the world. Local companies are being offered the opportunity to network at the conference followed by less formal biking and kiting options all weekend on Achill Island. All 20,000 attending the Web Summit are being circulated with material on Mayo’s connectivity and technology attributes as part of the Mayo campaign.

Mr Peter Hynes, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, said the County’s aim is to create and attract 3,000 new jobs into the county over the next 10 years. “Mayo has positioned itself as the heartbeat of the Wild Atlantic Way in tourism and hopes to capitalise on the County’s success in being the best place for adventurers to go wild, as well as being home the best place in Ireland to live,” Mr Hynes said.

“Mayo’s enterprise credentials are already strong with multinational businesses like Allegran, Coca Cola, Baxter and Hollister and many large indigenous companies as well as many new start ups. We believe we have much more potential, especially in the technology sphere, with a new fibre optic trans-Atlantic cable in the pipeline as well as a 132 kilometre fibre network along the national natural gas network.”

“As Ireland has been recognised by Forbes as  the best small country in the world in which to do business, Mayo aims to be the best county for new investment opportunities. Having an international airport, high quality infrastructure and a large, talented available workforce both locally and many abroad who want to return, makes Mayo an appealing business location.”

For those interested in establishing a new business in the County, Mayo’s Enterprise and Investment Unit is offering tailored support including enterprise space to those looking to create jobs in Mayo. The jobs campaign will be launched through Mayo Associations and Communities in the coming weeks.