2016 Press Releases
UCC hosts Startup Nations summit
The Startup Nations Summit drew to a close in Cork’s County Hall on Saturday after three days of meetings with more than 1000 delegates in attendance.
An awards ceremony, co-ordinated by the Global Entrepreneurship Network, acknowledged a number of leaders and startup advocates from all over the world.
Cork Innovates, the partnership between Cork stakeholders from local government, education and business support organisations, was recognised with a Global Leadership Award.
The County Mayor welcomes everyone to the #SNS2016 awards gala @Corkcoco pic.twitter.com/7ftZdllF6o
— Cork Innovates (@Corkinnovates) November 19, 2016
“On behalf of regional stakeholders who have been the driving force behind Cork innovates, I am honoured to accept this award,” said Siobhán Finn, Project Director of the Cork Innovates Partnership. “Four years ago, we initiated our first startup event in City Hall Cork, 'InBusiness InCork' and that event grew and evolved over three years to last year’s national Startup Gathering event, and now through the global Startup Nations Summit, we have reached international heights for our startup community. It shows the ambition, passion and commitment in the Cork region for entrepreneurship and I’d like to acknowledge partners including Cork City Council, Cork County Council, EI, Cork Chamber, the Cork LEOs, the Enterprise Europe Network, Cork BIC, UCC and CIT. Together we are a powerful force for startups.”
See latest highlights from Startup Nation Summit @UCC w/ 200 delegates from 50+ countries #SNS2016 @Corkinnovates https://t.co/Yyj2NsPCZ7 pic.twitter.com/44vZ9OuGxT
— UCC Ireland (@UCC) November 18, 2016
The Global Policy Leadership Award was presented to Maria Contreras-Sweet, US Administrator of the US Small Business Association, and Dr Hugo Kantis, the Argentinian Director for Entrepreneurship (PRODEM) was acknowledged for his Groundbreaking Policy Thinking Award. The Local Policy Leadership Award was presented to Maria Jose Vengoechea of the Barranquilla Chamber of Commerce in Columbia.
University College Cork and Cork city were showcased to key international influencers over the weekend. The EU President of the Committee of Regions Markku Markkula participated in the startup stimulation discussions and meetings held at UCC’s Western Gateway building, while the US Administrator of the US Small Business Association, Maria Contreras-Sweet addressed a gathering of more than 400 guests at a Gala Dinner in County Hall.
UCC President Michael Murphy welcoming the delegates of Startup Nations Summit 2016 this morning #SNS2016 @UNLEASHINGIDEAS @CORKINNOVATES pic.twitter.com/jf4d2AIR2h
— UCC Ireland (@UCC) November 19, 2016
The Startup Nations delegation included representation from over 60 countries, including Canada, Thailand, India, New Zealand, Spain, France and Germany among others. The delegation was treated to an incredible serving of locally sourced food and beverages a DineAround of 11 city-centre based restaurants and supported by Taste Cork offering international delegates a real ‘taste of Cork’.
Media: For further information contact Deirdre Connolly, CAMEO Communications Mob: 085-2449804