Tom McEnaney, Business Editor with the Irish Independent, is to address the new NUI Galway Skillnets Network at their launch event on Tuesday, 11 September, 2007. This new network for 'innovative technology and export orientated companies' aims to satisfy the training and networking needs of its' member companies. The event will take place from 9.30am – 3pm in Cromleach Lodge, near Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

The Skillnets Network is an outcome of the various initiatives run by the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at NUI Galway, whose high performance team guides breakthrough research to business reality, such as: promoting entrepreneurship and new business growth, providing support services for new knowledge intensive companies; and linking researchers to industry.

According to Ms. Niamh Corcoran, TTO, National University of Ireland, Galway: "This is a key event for emerging start up companies. We look forward to the network members benefiting from accessing Mr. McEnaney's perspective and learning from his experience. We envisage that members will use the network to share, learn and grow. It is an exciting time for the Technology Transfer Office to be forming a key link for entrepreneurs across the region."

As a member of the network, companies will benefit from training which will be designed to help them grow competitive advantage, grow capacity and which can expand the team's skill set. The training output will seek to positively impact the company's business strategy, vision and goals. In addition, it will facilitate a formal networking environment where peer and professional contact sharing can result in efficiencies of knowledge and resources.

The Technology Transfer Office is seeking to grow the membership base of the network and invites innovative, technology driven, export orientated companies to register for the event. The network currently boasts 20 members across three different sectors in the five regional hubs of Galway, Castlebar, Sligo, Donegal and the Athlone area.

In May 2007, the network successfully secured development funding from Skillnets, which is an enterprise-led support body whose mission is to enhance the skills of people in employment in Irish industry to support competitiveness and employability. Skillnets is funded by the National Training Fund.

ENDS