OPTUS BUSINESS AND STONE & CHALK SHOW SUPPORT FOR IRISH INNOVATION WITH ENTERPRISE IRELAND EVENT

Irish startups showcase their technologies as part of President Higgins 24-day Australia and New Zealand trade mission

Optus Business and partner Stone & Chalk today hosted over 50 Irish technology companies along with Enterprise Ireland. The event, held at Stone & Chalk headquarters in Sydney, provided a platform for Optus Business and its customers to see leading innovative technology solutions from Ireland, with a focus on FinTech, Health and Education.

Companies in attendance had an opportunity to showcase their technology solutions to a panel of industry specialists, including Optus’ Cindy Nicholson, Associate Director, Financial Service Industry, Jason Bamert, Education Industry Specialist and David Lau, Associate Director, Health Industry.

David Caspari, Vice President Enterprise and Government, Optus Business said: “Investing in innovation is critical to ensuring Australian businesses adapt to meet customer needs. Our relationship with Stone & Chalk allows us to harness creative ideas and help bring these to the market.

“Today’s event provides us with an opportunity to see the innovative technology that is driving overseas economies forward. Being able to share these insights with our customers demonstrates Optus’ commitment to game changing technology.”

Alex Scandurra, CEO, Stone & Chalk said: “Working alongside large technology companies such as Optus, has allowed us and our start-ups to reach unprecedented milestones. In the past two years, we’ve more than doubled the number of local start-ups that have been able to engage commercially with corporates and helped our start-ups raise over $180 million in capital investment.

“The Enterprise Ireland Event is testament to industry collaboration and partnership to accelerate innovative ideas.”

Over 50 Irish technology companies are in Australia as part of the Irish Prime Minister, Michael Higgins, latest trade mission. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald represented the trade mission at this event as she continues her mission to double Irish exports to Australia by 2020.

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said: “In the context of Brexit, expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a key priority for Enterprise Ireland. The Asia Pacific region was the second fastest growing region for Enterprise Ireland backed companies in 2016 delivering double digit growth of 16 per cent in 2016. In line with this, the Australian market delivered 14 per cent growth in exports for Enterprise Ireland clients in 2016.”

For more information please contact:

Steve Batten

Optus Corporate Affairs

P: (02) 8082 7850

E: Media@optus.com.au