We’re excited to welcome Invest Northern Ireland as a December Featured Member of the month!
Let’s learn more from Áine Mallaghan, INI’s VP International Development who will tell us more about the organization:
What’s your role in the Nashville area?
I work closely with companies in the Nashville area that are considering setting up an office in Europe, whether that’s to access the UK and European market or simply to build out an office with the talent these companies need to support and complement their existing US operations.
What is your organization’s mission?
As the regional business development agency for Northern Ireland, Invest NI’s role is to grow the local economy. We do this by helping new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland.
We are part of the Department for the Economy in the Northern Ireland government and provide strong government support for business by effectively delivering the Government’s economic development strategies.
You’re a unique of NTC member, tell us who are the customers you serve?
We offer US companies access to cost effective, high quality talent in a safe and secure location that has a proven track record in helping companies grow with direct support and help from the government. One of our more recent investors was DevOps company, Chef Software out of Seattle. Over the next three years, with our help, Chef plans to build a team of 55 in Belfast, focusing on delivering platforms and practices to deliver software at speed. Chef CEO, Barry Crist said, ‘Belfast’s two universities are producing some of the finest computer science knowledge in the world’’ and that was “the deal-clincher” in convincing him to set up a new software development centre in the city.
Northern Ireland is the #1 international investment location for US cyber security development projects. It is now home to an impressive cluster of international companies, world renowned university research and innovative startups delivering global cyber security solutions. Companies in N Ireland have built upon expertise in advanced persistent threats to national security, critical infrastructure, capital markets and web applications.
What are the benefits an organization can expect when working with Invest Northern Ireland?
The benefits of working with Invest Northern Ireland is that we have first-hand knowledge of the talent market in Northern Ireland and know how to make the process of setting up a new office smooth and efficient. You will have the benefit of a project management team that is built around your requirements and works to your timeline to deliver the results you need and administers that financial incentives that you could potentially avail of to help offset some of the initial startup costs.
How are your employees finding value in NTC’s membership, ex: through engagement in peer group / community programming?
The most valuable part of the membership is meeting with other members and hearing how the Nashville technology sector is evolving, growing and developing. This helps us ensure that as a government, we are focusing on developing a talent pipeline made up of the most relevant and most in demand skill sets that our investor companies need.
What are the opportunities you’ve seen elsewhere that you’d like to see more of in Nashville?
One of the best things that has happened in Nashville is the direct flight to the UK. Belfast is just a 50 minute flight from London but has 50 % lower costs.
What are you most excited about in Nashville?
We are excited to see some of the Nashville companies that we are currently working with to set up their Northern Ireland office and lead the way for other companies to follow.
Nashville and Belfast are also sister cities and have been for a long time.
While historically the links have been focused around culture and music, we are excited to further develop economic links and education links between the two cities.
Thank you Áine for telling us more about Invest Northern Ireland. INI will be hosts of the NTC Holiday Party at Tech Hill Commons on December 6. If you have the chance, please stop by and say hello!