ISA calls for home-grown software champions

21-08-2006

by Emmet Ryan

The Irish Software Association (ISA) has called for more dynamism from Irish firms in the software industry to strengthen the economically vital indigenous sector.

In a statement to coincide with the launch of the ISA's annual software awards, the IBEC affiliate reported 30,000 people are currently employed in the software industry in Ireland -- producing annual exports valued at more than EUR13 billion.

The indigenous sector employs 15,000 people in 660 firms, and the sector is worth EUR1.4 billion to the economy annually.

"Without a healthy indigenous software sector Ireland's knowledge economy will be stunted," said ISA chairman Bernie Cullinan.

"Irish software firms have the skills to respond to the rapidly changing global circumstance and can help many other sectors become more efficient and flexible," she added.

"Irish software companies such as Norkon, Valista, Trintech and Qumas, have been successful in an international market. These companies have achieved sufficient revenues enabling them to achieve international scale."

ISA director Michele Quinn set the benchmark for companies to aspire to: "Many Irish software firms have the ability to become international leaders if they can achieve revenues in the EUR20 million to EUR50 million range," she said.

"Many find it impossible to make more than EUR5 million in the domestic market because of its size. They require advice and government support to secure the business needed to compete internationally," she said.

The announcement was made at the launch of the ISA's annual software awards. The awards ceremony will take place in the Burlington Hotel on 10 November.

Companies interested in nominating themselves for the awards can do so by logging into the awards site.

There are five categories open for nomination: company of the year, new company of the year, technical innovation, sales achievement of the year and partnership of the year.

A separate award focusing on fostering closer links between business and Irish third level institutions will also be presented. The most commercially viable software developed at third level will be awarded a student medal.

"These awards celebrate some of the tremendous successes Irish software companies have had this year," said Cullinan.

"Previous winners have boosted their profiles, allowing them to achieve scale and compete internationally. We hope this year's winners can achieve similar results," she said.

The awards are sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Trinity Venture Capital and William Fry.