300 Jobs to be Created by Companies Based at NovaUCD over Coming Two Years

NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin (UCD), expects 300 highly-skilled jobs to be created through the 37 companies based at the centre over the coming two years. This will more than double the number of people currently employed in companies based at the centre [205].

The announcement was made by Professor Peter Clinch, Vice-President for Innovation at UCD.

Company CEOs at 2012 Jobs Announcement at NovaUCD 
Paul Groarke, RendezVu, Brian Farrell, Tethras, Dr Antonio Ruzzelli, Wattics, Professor Peter Clinch and Aidan O'Neill, DOCOsoft

The employment projection figures are based on the results of an annual employment survey of companies based at the centre. 205 people are already employed by the 37 companies. These companies have raised over €40 million in equity investment to date and created 80 jobs during 2011.

Companies located at the centre include a mixture of “spin-out” and “spin-in” companies. Spin-outs are companies established by UCD researchers to commercialise the outputs of their research activities. Spin-ins are companies which locate at NovaUCD in order to interact more closely with UCD R&D and commercialisation activities and to avail of research expertise available at the University.

NovaUCD companies are involved in diverse activities including social web-search solutions [HeyStaks], localization services for app developers [Tethras], equine genetics [Equinome], elearning [RendezVu] and energy management [Wattics].

Commenting today Professor Clinch said, “NovaUCD client companies were established to translate innovative ideas into value-added products and services, including companies which are commercialising UCD research outputs. The development and growth of such high-tech and knowledge-intensive companies is of critical importance for Ireland’s economic recovery. He added, “I am delighted that the facilities and supports being made available to the start-ups located at UCD are helping these companies thrive and create quality jobs.”

ENDS

6 February 2012

For further information contact Micéal Whelan, University College Dublin, Communications Manager (Innovation), e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712.

Editors Notes

Examples

DOCOsoft (www.docosoft.com), a developer of software solutions for the global insurance and financial services markets, plans to employ at least 10 additional staff by 2013. Aidan O’Neill is the CEO of DOCOsoft.

RendezVu’s first product ExamSpeak (www.examspeak.com), a next generation online language learning platform, provides English language learning in real-life settings. The company is on course to raise €600,000 in Q2 2012 and plans to employ an additional 10 people by 2013. Paul Groarke is the CEO of RendezVu.

Tethras (www.tethras.com), which enables app developers to easily adapt their software into over 40 languages, is looking to employ an additional 10 people in the next two-years bringing its staffing level to over 25 people. Brian Farrell is the CEO of Tethras.

Wattics (www.wattics.com), a UCD spin-out company which has developed an innovative ‘smarter metering’ system for businesses, is currently fund raising and plans to employ 20 people by 2013. Dr Antonio Ruzzelli is the CEO of Wattics.

NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre, is the hub of innovation and knowledge transfer activities at University College Dublin. NovaUCD is responsible for the commercialisation of intellectual property arising from UCD research and for the development of co-operation with industry and business. NovaUCD as a purpose-built centre also nurtures high-tech and knowledge-intensive enterprises. NovaUCD has been funded through a unique public-private partnership that includes AIB Bank, Arthur Cox, Deloitte, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, Goodbody Stockbrokers, UCD and Xilinx.