Comments on: Can you engineer a technology cluster? The Irish experience http://eu.techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/can-you-engineer-a-technology-cluster-the-irish-experience/ Tracking European web and mobile start-ups Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:01:36 +0000 hourly 1 By: Joe Drumgoole http://eu.techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/can-you-engineer-a-technology-cluster-the-irish-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-149474 Joe Drumgoole Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:06:03 +0000 http://uk.techcrunch.com/?p=1457#comment-149474 Ivan, I should clarify. The three year restriction is for a particular part of the Hub called the Digital Depot. After three years you can move into a range of other office space hosted at the Digital Hub that is rented at 75 euro a desk. If you aren't ready for that move after three years my belief is "ahem", market forces should be allowed take over. I can't speak for the campuse's in the UK, but both Dublin Institute of Technology and University College Dublin offer one year incubator programs. However the campus incubators are very different in style and content to the Digital Hub. Having said that, this is not rocket science and I would expect there to be a lot more of this stuff going in the UK than in Ireland. For Ireland the hub is a pretty radical departure from previous attempts to bootstrap the tech sector. Joe. Ivan,

I should clarify. The three year restriction is for a particular part of the Hub called the Digital Depot. After three years you can move into a range of other office space hosted at the Digital Hub that is rented at 75 euro a desk. If you aren’t ready for that move after three years my belief is “ahem”, market forces should be allowed take over.

I can’t speak for the campuse’s in the UK, but both Dublin Institute of Technology and University College Dublin offer one year incubator programs. However the campus incubators are very different in style and content to the Digital Hub.

Having said that, this is not rocket science and I would expect there to be a lot more of this stuff going in the UK than in Ireland. For Ireland the hub is a pretty radical departure from previous attempts to bootstrap the tech sector.

Joe.

]]> By: Shafqat http://eu.techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/can-you-engineer-a-technology-cluster-the-irish-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-149430 Shafqat Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:14:39 +0000 http://uk.techcrunch.com/?p=1457#comment-149430 I have to agree - it's London or bust as far as I'm concerned. Also, these guys seem to have a great model for a techhub in NYC: http://sparkspaceny.com/ I have to agree – it’s London or bust as far as I’m concerned. Also, these guys seem to have a great model for a techhub in NYC: http://sparkspaceny.com/

]]> By: Paul Walsh http://eu.techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/can-you-engineer-a-technology-cluster-the-irish-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-149401 Paul Walsh Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:09:07 +0000 http://uk.techcrunch.com/?p=1457#comment-149401 @Ivan - and you don't think that a London initiative could say, 'hey, the 3 year thang and the application process Ireland is something we can do better/different'?! You can't possibly compare a university campus with a real-world working environment. The fact that you say 'all over the country' only demonstrates Mike's original point. London is where it's at for this type of initiative. If people in Brighton and other fantastic locations don't wish to relocation then that's fine, but for those already there and those who are willing to relocate, I think it's a brilliant idea. @Ivan – and you don’t think that a London initiative could say, ‘hey, the 3 year thang and the application process Ireland is something we can do better/different’?!

You can’t possibly compare a university campus with a real-world working environment. The fact that you say ‘all over the country’ only demonstrates Mike’s original point. London is where it’s at for this type of initiative. If people in Brighton and other fantastic locations don’t wish to relocation then that’s fine, but for those already there and those who are willing to relocate, I think it’s a brilliant idea.

]]> By: Ivan Pope http://eu.techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/can-you-engineer-a-technology-cluster-the-irish-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-149392 Ivan Pope Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:16:26 +0000 http://uk.techcrunch.com/?p=1457#comment-149392 Sorry, I'm a bit confused as to what is so great here: - you're renting quality desk space but have to leave after three years - the businesses are spread all over the place - there's a 'quality check' before you can 'join' Sounds like any one of hundreds of University campus based 'hubs' all over the country, all of which are quite interesting, but noen of which are really standalone dynamic entrepreneurial environments I'd say the three year thing is the worst part - just as you get into your stride, you are at risk of being thrown out again. Sorry, I’m a bit confused as to what is so great here:
- you’re renting quality desk space but have to leave after three years
- the businesses are spread all over the place
- there’s a ‘quality check’ before you can ‘join’
Sounds like any one of hundreds of University campus based ‘hubs’ all over the country, all of which are quite interesting, but noen of which are really standalone dynamic entrepreneurial environments
I’d say the three year thing is the worst part – just as you get into your stride, you are at risk of being thrown out again.

]]> By: Ross Cooney http://eu.techcrunch.com/2008/08/01/can-you-engineer-a-technology-cluster-the-irish-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-149384 Ross Cooney Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:39:27 +0000 http://uk.techcrunch.com/?p=1457#comment-149384 I can see the north East of England as a perfect candidate for this sort of project. The bones of the infrastructure are already in place as there are several hi-tech incubation buildings in the area including: Gateshead International Business Centre http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Business%20and%20Industry/Property/GIBC.aspx Fabriam Centre http://www.fabriam.com Admittedly there is very little co-ordination between the buildings and communities. With the exception of the very popular “Think and a Drink” (http://www.thinkandadrink.com/) events run by Codeworks Connect (http://www.codeworksconnect.net). The region is a hot-bed of technical activity which is ripe for expansion…all that is needed is co-ordination and better access to VC and angel funding. I can see the north East of England as a perfect candidate for this sort of project.

The bones of the infrastructure are already in place as there are several hi-tech incubation buildings in the area including:
Gateshead International Business Centre
http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Business%20and%20Industry/Property/GIBC.aspx
Fabriam Centre
http://www.fabriam.com

Admittedly there is very little co-ordination between the buildings and communities. With the exception of the very popular “Think and a Drink” (http://www.thinkandadrink.com/) events run by Codeworks Connect (http://www.codeworksconnect.net).

The region is a hot-bed of technical activity which is ripe for expansion…all that is needed is co-ordination and better access to VC and angel funding.

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