NW trade delegation strengthening trans-Atlantic ties

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Pathfinder II Trade and Investment Mission Participants

There was a warm welcome in November in Boston for the Ireland North West delegation with a series of business focused events arranged as part of the ongoing trade mission to Philadelphia and Boston.

The joint visit is a key initiative of the Regional Economic Development Pillar of the North West Strategic Growth Partnership and is supported by the NW Development Fund, which is co-financed by the NI Executive and the Irish Government.

Thursday 14th saw a Business Breakfast hosted by Invest Northern Ireland provide a forum for talks around trade, investment, and innovation. Chair of Invest NI, John Healy, chaired discussions led by the Chief Executives of the visiting Councils, Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.

It was a valuable opportunity to share the North West’s ambitions for continued growth and development, and to reflect on achievements to date. Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, gave an update on the City Deal projects for Derry and Strabane and the recent signing of the financial deal to enable their delivery. His counterpart in Donegal County Council, John McLaughlin, spoke about the rich talent pool in the North West, and the strong cross border partnership dedicated to advancing the objectives set out in the North West Strategic Growth Plan.

Discussions also centred on the North West’s compelling offering as an investment hub for business and global companies looking for a smooth pathway into both the UK and EU markets. Guests heard more about developments in research and innovation, as well as work to establish the world’s first multi-sector regulation supercluster. The project is an exciting and ambitious opportunity for the region, Ireland, UK and internationally, focusing on ESG and AI. The supercluster will bring together industry, academics and public bodies to drive world-class research and innovation.

The delegation was then invited to join Consul General of Ireland in Boston, Sighle Fitzgerald for a Speaker Series event, hosted in partnership with Richard Cushnie, Director of the NI Bureau and UK Consul General for New England, David Clay MBE.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr, and the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy, engaged in discussion with Mary Murphy, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Irish Institute at Boston College.

Speaking after the day’s events, DCSDC’s CE, John Kelpie, said they had offered a positive platform to focus attention on the many benefits of living, working and investing in the North West.

“I am delighted to have had this opportunity to address both Consulates, and to share with them the encouraging progress we have been making on some of our most significant strategic projects. I think today we were able to convey the spirit of positive change here, and how this closely aligns with the priorities of investors here in the US.”

John McLaughlin, CE of Donegal County Council, said: “We’ve had some fantastic opportunities for engagement and to report on some of the developments that are making the North West Region a very compelling proposition for US businesses. For example the work around Regtech, or regulation technology, MedTech and the potential benefits for US companies looking to enter the highly regulated EU markets. This is the time to really build on the relationships already established with our partners in Boston and Philadelphia to ensure we maximise the potential for investment and growth.”

Other highlights of the trade mission this week included a visit to Philadelphia City Hall, and a meeting with the governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey. The week will end with the annual Golden Bridges conference today, where the delegation will showcase the very best of the North West region to an audience of influential business and political leaders.

Also attending the Golden Bridges event are the five businesses taking part in the Ireland NW to Boston Go to Market Pathfinder II trade mission. The businesses – Forward Emphasis International and eleetLX, Kippie, TeamBase, DigiFood, and ChallengeCurve – have been engaging in a dedicated programme throughout the week delivered at Cambridge Innovation Center by MassGlobal Partners, aimed at providing opportunities for early-stage, and scaling, innovation driven enterprises from the North West City Region.

The programme is led by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council working in collaboration with Donegal Local Enterprise Office, Alpha Innovation and their US Delivery Partners, CIP, following on from the successful Pathfinder initiative delivered in 2023.

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A cross-border location like no other

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A Unique cross-border location.

There’s no place like home. And there’s no location quite like Derry and Strabane, a unique cross-border region offering an ideal combination of city, coast and countryside.

Whether you’re returning home, or relocating here for the first time, a move to the North West can bring rewarding work opportunities and a life rich in culture, community and breathtaking scenery. The investment proposition here is equally as enticing, with the UK, Ireland and EU markets on your doorstep, and robust local and national support.

A cross-border hub

As the only cross-border city on the island, Derry has access to multiple markets, a highly skilled young workforce which is culturally literate in operating across two jurisdictions, and investment support available on both sides of the border.

Whether you’re relocating to the North West to grow your business here, work remotely, or join one of our leading local employers, you’ll find excellent superfast broadband availability across the region. We enjoy a 67-millisecond connection with the East Coast of the USA – among the fastest in Europe. As well as 97% superfast broadband coverage to facilitate remote working.

Work opportunities

You might be returning from university seeking a fulfilling graduate role. Maybe you’ve racked up years of experience, and are ready to take the next step in your corporate journey. Or perhaps you want to move back to the North West with your family, to enjoy our fantastic quality of life without compromising on career goals.

Whatever stage you’re at in your career, you’ll find job opportunities in a wide range of sectors here in Derry and Strabane – from award-winning local financial services and engineering firms, to innovative tech and life sciences companies, and major multinational brands.

Support for investors

If you’re looking to grow your business in the North West, Derry City and Strabane District Council can offer investment support, trade missions and connections with the City of London Corporation and international partners to assist and promote your venture.

Organisations such as Intertrade Ireland can help your business explore cross-border markets, while on a national level, Invest NI and IDA Ireland are also there to assist your venture.

The right balance

Quality of life here in the North West is one of the things we value most. It’s why a Sunday Times survey named “cool, credible and cheap” Derry as the best place to live in Northern Ireland.

Derry is a vibrant city – the fourth largest in Ireland – with a young population, a great primary, secondary and third level education system, and famously friendly people (we were ranked number one for community spirit in an NI poll). And of course, our award-winning restaurants and bars are ‘LegenDerry’.

A gateway for exploring

Derry and Strabane are also brilliantly located for enjoying the best the North West has to offer on both sides of the border, nestled where the Wild Atlantic Way meets the Causeway Coastal Route.

Fancy a sunset stroll after work, or a weekend adventure? You can reach a stunning Donegal beach within 20 minutes’ drive of Derry, and even head up to the North Coast for a surf. Or, in less than half an hour’s drive from Strabane town centre, you can be hiking through the breathtaking Sperrin Mountains.

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FinTrU lands top industry award

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Global financial services firm FinTrU has been honoured for its outstanding growth in overseas sales.

The company, which has two Derry offices, won the Queen’s Award for International Trade in recognition of its global expansion.

In recent years, the Belfast-headquartered business has also created branches in New York, London, Dublin and Maastricht.

Founded in 2013, FinTrU now employs more than 1,000 people and provides tech-enabled regulatory solutions for investment banks, specialising in KYC, compliance, legal, risk and controls and operations.

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Learning Pool Furthers Expansion into US Market.

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Learning Pool has paid an undisclosed sum for True Office Learning, a firm in the United States which specialises in compliance training.

True Office was at one time owned by the New York Stock Exchange.

Learning Pool’s chief executive Ben Betts said the deal with True Office Learning is “a significant step” for the Derry-based company.

“In the past two years, the way we work and learn has changed dramatically, and our aim is to lead the way in reshaping the new workplace learning landscape,” Mr Betts said.

The addition of True Office should take Learning Pool’s annual turnover to around £50m. The firm is aiming to significantly grow its business in the US where it already has an office in Colorado.

True Office’s major clients include the pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and the agri-food company, Cargill. Learning Pool was founded in 2006 by Paul McElvaney, who is now the firm’s executive chair.

The company provides online training courses for a range of major businesses and public sector organisations.

Last year a US private equity firm, Marlin Equity Partners, bought a majority stake in the business.

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FinTrU recruiting for new Maastricht office

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Financial services firm FinTrU has announcing it is opening an office in Maastricht.

​Based at the southern tip of The Netherlands, next to the Belgian border, the Maastricht site will help the company support its Tier 1 Investment Bank clients and assist them in managing their global regulatory requirements.

Setting up a base in the Dutch city (where the Maastricht Treaty was signed in 1992, establishing both the EU and the Euro) further strengthens FinTrU’s operation in Europe. The company also opened a new Dublin office in September.

FinTrU, which currently employs more than 900 people across Derry, Belfast, London, Dublin and New York, is now recruiting for new roles in Maastricht. For more information on vacancies, visit FinTrU’s career portal: www.fintru.com/careers

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NI innovators ‘leading the way in post-pandemic recovery’

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Ulster University’s Pro Vice Chancellor of Research Liam Maguire was joined by colleagues from the Derry-based Clinical Translational Research and Innovation Centre (C-TRIC) at a Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Showcase in London.

Representatives from the university’s Engineering Composites Research Centre and Research and Impact Directorate also attended the event, which featured the best of Northern Ireland’s innovative businesses, start-ups and universities, showcasing what the region offers as an inward investment location and as a trade partner.

The Northern Ireland Office, the Department for International Trade and Invest NI partnered to host the September showcase, which Dr Alexander Chacko, UU’s head of Innovation and Impact, said “spread the message that Northern Ireland’s innovators, tech start-ups, and universities are leading the way in post-pandemic recovery.”

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Bitesize business support for budding entrepreneurs

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A new online support platform is offering free videos, articles and advice to anyone considering setting up their own business in Northern Ireland.

Rebel on Demand offers impartial advice on starting up without debt, making sales, and increasing confidence and motivation.

The on-demand service allows users to tailor their learning journey, record progress, and formulate an idea they are passionate about.

Once that creative spark has been found and developed, and is considered a viable career path, it can be explored in more detail with the Council’s Go For It programme and local Enterprise Agency.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, said: “Launching any new business idea can be extremely daunting, and this has been a particularly challenging year for local companies. This new online resource is another tool for local Councils who have been working hard to tailor support to meet the wide-ranging needs of businesses across the spectrum.

For more information on Rebel on Demand visit https://www.derrystrabane.com/Business/Rebel-On-Demand For more information on Go For It visit https://www.goforitni.com/about-go-for-it/derry-city-and-strabane-district-council/

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New Stateside acquisition for Learning Pool

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Local company Learning Pool has announced the acquisition of US-based Remote Learner.

Paul McElvaney Learning Pool CEO

Situated in Denver, Colorado, the LMS (Learning Management System) specialist has represented more than a million users for over two decades, with clients including recruitment giant Indeed, Royal Caribbean Group and Ultimate Kronos Group.

Remote Learner is the fourth firm to join the Learning Pool Group in recent years and the news follows strong 2020 annual results for the Derry-based e-learning business, which saw revenues up 32% to £18.1m.

Learning Pool CEO Paul McElvaney said: “This acquisition puts the Group in great shape to accelerate our already ambitious customer satisfaction and growth targets in the North American region and takes the global Learning Pool team to more than 260 dedicated and talented people.”

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New start-up bootcamp launched for budding entrepreneurs

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Derry City and Strabane District Council are working with Ignite NI and alongside other partners, Invest NI and Ulster University, to bring an exciting one-day virtual start-up bootcamp for founders/early stage companies specifically for this Council area.

The bootcamp is open to anyone who wants to build a successful start-up of scale.  It will be delivered through a one-day online course on Wednesday, 25th November by Ignite NI, who will bring their expertise along with the shared experiences of their NI Propel alumni companies and mentors.Through a series of workshops, Q&As and 1:1 chats, the start-up bootcamp will provide you with the building blocks of a successful start-up.By the end of the session, individuals and teams will be well on their way with a growth mindset. 

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Brian Tierney, welcomed the bootcamp.”This has been a particularly tough period for our local business community so, as a Council, we have been working with partners to grow and support the entrepreneur ecosystem within the district, and this bootcamp is an example of that.”We want to stimulate high growth potential within our business community and give entrepreneurs a platform from which to build, and through this bootcamp those individuals and groups will be equipped with the necessary supports and tools they need to grow.”The bootcamp will also help us build a network of start-ups within Derry and Strabane which is exactly what we want to see as we move forward.”If you want to build a successful start-up of scale, whether you are a student, an academic or employed, an individual or a team; if you have an idea or concept or it is in early stage development but don’t know how to take it forward, this is for you.

Kevin O’Connor, Council’s Head of Business, added: “To build a successful start-up, you need to have the right growth mindset from the start.”Through this start-up bootcamp we want to provide the building blocks, the knowledge and the encouragement entrepreneurs need to take the right first steps.”To apply to take part in the start-up bootcamp, please visit https://airtable.com/shrNrEMYuMSU9KkMR

The application process will close on Wednesday, 18th November 2020.

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£50K funding boost for local start-ups at North West Co-Founders programme

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Five new entrepreneurs and start-ups have each received £10,000 from Innovate UK, the government’s innovation agency, as part of the first Catalyst North West Co-Founders programme.

The funding will help the winning teams pursue their technology, engineering and science ideas and contribute to the thriving innovation ecosystem growing in the North West region.

Although based at Catalyst Innovation Centre at Fort George in Derry, the Co-Founders cohort completed a part-time online programme one night a week for 16 weeks.

The five ideas which have secured funding include technology for medical student training, an innovative development for cat’s eyes on the road, a digital platform for golf caddies, a social fintech solution and a digital platform for exercise and wellbeing.

Catalyst at Fort George opened in 2014 and is fully occupied by 32 companies and 250 people working in the innovation and knowledge economy.

Find out more about The Co-Founders programme at www.co-founders.co.

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