Ireland's Investment Promotion Agency, IDA Ireland and Microsoft, Launch Initiative for US Cloud Computing Companies to Expand Internationally from Ireland.

Series of Tailored Offerings for Cloud Computing Companies

NEW YORK -- Ireland's Investment Promotion Agency, IDA and Microsoft today launched a unique initiative for US Cloud Companies seeking to expand into Europe and internationally. The initiative includes a unique combination of fiscal and capital incentives by the IDA and technology supports and access to export markets through the Microsoft global network.

Pictured: Barry O'Dowd, Head of Emerging Technologies, IDA Ireland and Paul Rellis, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland. Ireland's Investment Promotion Agency, IDA and Microsoft today launched a unique initiative for US Cloud Companies seeking to expand into Europe and internationally. The initiative includes a unique combination of fiscal and capital incentives by the IDA and technology supports and access to export markets through the Microsoft global network. (Photo: David Beyda)

Many of world's leading cloud computing companies are already based in Ireland, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon.com Salesforce.com etc. leading to a rich cloud computing portfolio. In addition, the Irish Government has identified Cloud Computing as a major focus and through IDA Ireland, is actively building a global Cloud Computing community in Ireland. Microsoft, which has located its EMEA Data Centre in Ireland, has through a number of initiatives built a dedicated Cloud Computing ecosystem in Ireland which provides access to its well developed local and global networks.

Barry O'Dowd, Head of Emerging Technologies, IDA who led the event said, "Ireland is poised to become a global cloud centre of excellence due to our winning combination of talent, track record, tax regime and technology along with a significant software economy. Ireland is an ideal fit for the date centre requirements of Foreign Direct Investors and we are already the European data centre location of choice for world leaders including IBM, Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, MSN and Adobe. IDA Ireland looks forward to partnering with new companies in the cloud space in order to help them find cost-effective and efficient solutions for all their cloud computing needs.

Paul Rellis, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland said, "In the way that Silicon Valley is the location of choice for Internet companies, we're working to develop Ireland as the global Centre of Excellence for Cloud Computing. The combination of the IDA and Microsoft can offer a unique opportunity for cloud companies to develop and grow in Ireland. Microsoft has developed an extensive suite of offerings and access to a global cloud network designed for Cloud organisations seeking to identify and grow in export markets. This is unique to Ireland and tried & tested with Irish organisations which are already enjoying huge success in foreign markets."

John Dennehy, Managing Director, HR Locker, an Irish Cloud Computing Company offering online HR Solutions who presented at the launch said, "Set up only 2 years ago we're already working in Ireland, the UK and China. I don't believe we could have expanded this quickly without access to the network and aids provided by the Microsoft Bizspark programme which helped us rapidly overcome challenges we would have faced otherwise."

According to Kevin Mahon, President, Kemp Technologies Inc., 'Over the last year Kemp Technologies from Long Island has successfully set up a European hub in Ireland with hands on support from IDA Ireland which has smoothed our successful entry to new markets.'

For information on Ireland's Cloud offering view the following link: http://www.idaireland.com/cloudcomputing

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