Streetline named IBM’s Global Entrepreneur of the Year


18 Nov 2010

IBM has named Streetline Networks as the IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year and winner of the 2010 SmartCamp World Finals.

Streetline Networks, a company that makes software for a smarter planet solution for inexpensive parking and parking solutions, triumphed over 600 global entries based on its “outstanding technology, innovative business plan, and alignment with IBM’s Smarter Planet strategy”.

An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, TD, praised the competition, saying it was his intention to make Ireland a global hub for innovation.

Dynamic entrepreneurs

“This IBM SmartCamp competition shows that despite the recent global economic difficulties, there are ambitious, dynamic entrepreneurs with new ideas all over the world, developing products and services and creating jobs.

“Our goal is to make Ireland a global innovation hub and I would like to extend an open invitation to all our international visitors to return to Ireland and to take advantage of the hospitality and business supports we have to offer.”

Streetline Networks will receive mentoring, access to industry experts and technology, and deeper partnership opportunities from IBM, venture capital firms and industry partners.

Expansion plans

IBM has also announced plans to expand its Global Entrepreneur initiative and future SmartCamps into emerging markets, including Brazil, China, Mexico, Poland and Turkey.

IBM launched the Global Entrepreneur initiative in 2010, which brings together start-ups from around the world that are building new technologies to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues, such as the environment, energy efficiency, traffic congestion and personalised healthcare.