Digital Ireland Forum: second panel highlights (videos)

15 Sep 2014

(From left) Silicon Republic CEO Ann O'Dea with Vodafone's Anne Sheehan, UPC's Gavan Smyth, and the Digital Hub's Gerry Macken. Photo by Conor McCabe Photography

The subjects of connectivity, mobile first and the tools to grow businesses digitally were explored during the second panel discussion at the Digital Ireland Forum in Dublin on Friday.

Renaud Visage, the CTO and co-founder of online ticketing firm Eventbrite after outlining what he believes are the tools and thinking required to triumph in the digital age explained how the company came to open an office in Ireland.

He later explained the challenges companies face when embarking on digital change strategies, especially when embracing mobile first.

Gerry Macken, the CEO of the Digital Hub, explained how young digital enterprises staffed by millennials are leading to the renewal of Dublin 8 and said that a new property deal will bring greater prosperity to the district.

UPC’s Gavan Smyth outlined how the cable provider is empowering SMEs with the latest high speed fibre speeds.

However, he warned that the uptake of e-commerce and online trading by Irish companies was very low and said that there are at least 47,000 businesses in Ireland with no digital presence.

Vodafone Ireland’s head of enterprise Anne Sheehan said that the operator’s JV with ESB Ireland to bring fibre to rural areas will bring about change.

She added that Vodafone’s 4G investment allied with its various network upgrades amounts to a network investment of up to €1bn so far.

Part 1

Digital Ireland Forum: Panel 2 highlights – bringing SMEs into the digital age – Part 1 of 2

Part 2

Digital Ireland Forum: Panel 2 highlights – bringing SMEs into the digital age – Part 2 of 2

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com