- Minister Noonan officially opens Nexus

Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D. officially opened the Nexus Innovation Centre on the 21st of November 2011. This state-of-the-art campus facility will houses UL’s Innovation Centre and Lero – the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre. The UL Innovation Centre is the latest of Enterprise Ireland campus incubation centre to be opened and will support the formation and growth of 35 new high potential start-up (HPSU) companies between 2011 and 2016, generating over 115 new high-value jobs.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Noonan said: “The Tierney building will house both the Nexus, Innovation Centre that will support the growth of new high potential business startups and cutting-edge software engineering research together. It is a tangible example of what we can achieve when Government, industry and our universities collaborate together.”

“Over recent years Ireland has built up a very impressive record in scientific research. If we are to get out of our present difficulties, we must now use this base to commercialise more ideas, create more Irish businesses, and attract and embed more multinational investment. Turning good ideas into good jobs and that is what I am determined to achieve.” Minister Noonan added.

Linda O’Sullivan CEO Footbridge Interactive, demonstrates their new programme to Minister Noonan and Professor Don Barry, President of UL.Barry Lunn, Amideon Systems, meets Minister Noonan and Dr. Mary Shire, Vice President Research, UL.

Mark Manning, Digico Ltd greets Minister Noonan, looking on is Andrea Deverell, Manager of Nexus Innovation Centre.

Lorna Moloney and David Butler, IARC, discuss Minister Noonan’s family tree.Andrea Deverell, Centre Manager persuades Paul O'Connell its time to hang up the boots and start a company at Nexus, UL.Some of Nexus ‘Supporting Men’ with Andrea Deverell, Nexus Innovation Centre Manager.