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Innovation Center for Irish Startup Companies Opens in Silicon Valley

Prime Minister Cowen will be accompanied at the formal dedication ceremony by recently appointed chairman of the Irish Technology Leadership Group, Dr. Craig Barrett, and San Jose Mayor, Chuck Reed as well as Silicon Valley business executives, city and government officials.

"We are very excited with this new center being located in San Jose and to have the Prime Minister of Ireland here personally to offer his support to this enterprise," said Chuck Reed, Mayor of San Jose. "Silicon Valley continues to demonstrate leadership as an ideal location for foreign based startups looking to partner with some of the world's leading technology companies here locally," he added.

The IIC announced that local industry veteran, Gordon Ciochon has been appointed as Executive Director of the center. Mr. Ciochon has thirty years of experience working in Silicon Valley's technology sector, including ten years at Symantec as head of global operations.

Dr. Barrett commented, "The IIC is a concrete result of the vision embraced by industry and government participants at the Global Irish Economic Forum in Dublin last September."

The IIC will be ready for occupancy in April, providing flexible office space for up to 30 companies as well as access to venture capital firms, banking and legal services. Resident companies will also be able to avail of reception and administrative support, as well as relocation, financial and IT services.

The IIC is closely affiliated to the ITLG, which will partner with the center to provide residents with access to a built-in network of successful Silicon Valley business executives from leading technology companies.

About IIC:

The Irish Innovation Center is the Silicon Valley launching pad for Irish Technology companies. From San Jose, California - the capital of Silicon Valley - companies rapidly accelerate their growth by taking advantage of the extensive services available from the IIC. The Innovation Center provides an environment for like-minded entrepreneurs to gain access to venture firms, bankers, customers, suppliers and employees that will enable their companies to grow and flourish. Within the innovation center flexible office space, reception, administrative, legal, financial, human resource, and IT support are all available to resident companies. For more information about IIC, visit www.irishic.com.

About ITLG:

Established in October 2007, the ITLG is a group of high-level technology leaders in Silicon Valley who are Irish or Irish-American. The ITLG includes senior executives from some of the Valley's leading corporations, each of whom are committed to helping Ireland face up to the issues and challenges of embracing new technology opportunities. Chaired by Dr. Craig Barrett, the ITLG is based in Campbell, California, USA. For more information about the ITLG, visit www.itlg.org.

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