19th October 2017
Announcements made as part of the Enterprise Ireland trade and investment programme in Australia
Four Enterprise Ireland backed companies Prodigy Learning, WeBringg, GECKO Governance and Poppulo today announced plans to open new offices in Australia. The announcements were made at the Sydney Opera House today, as part of the Enterprise Ireland trade and investment programme to Australia, organised in the context of the President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins’ State visit to Australia.
Speaking in Sydney today, An Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Frances Fitzgerald TD said “The trade and investment programme in Australia is focused on supporting innovative Irish companies to expand into Australia, an important market in its own right but also a key gateway into the wider Asia Pacific market. Irish companies are among the most innovative in the world and today’s announcement is testament to what innovative Irish companies can achieve at a global level. Supporting companies like Prodigy Learning, WeBringg, GECKO Governance and Poppulo to export internationally is critically important for our economy and is a key priority for my Department.”
Prodigy Learning, an award-winning Education Technology business providing digital skills certifications and learning solutions, announced today that is has entered the Asia Pacific market with the opening of an office in Sydney, Australia. The Irish company also announced its partnership with Microsoft Australia to deliver their digital skills and STEM programmes in education. With existing offices in Dublin and London, this development makes Prodigy the only multi-region global player in its sector and one of Ireland’s leading companies in the fast-growing Education Technology sector. Export is a key driver of the company’s growth, now representing over 70% of the business.
WeBringg, the on-demand crowd sourced delivery service for ecommerce retailers, who guarantee the delivery of online sales in 90 minutes or less announced that it has opened an office in Brisbane, which will be led by Gerard Franzoni, Managing Director of WeBringg Australia and New Zealand. During the Enterprise Ireland trade and investment mission, the Irish startup also announced that it has signed significant deals with Australian partner companies including Super Retail Group, one of the largest retail groups in Australia and WeBringg has become the new logistics arm of Menulog, the largest food ordering platform in Australia.
GECKO Governance, the first RegTech Blockchain solution to allow Fund managers and Banks to monitor and manage their regulation and compliance requirements, also confirmed their expansion into the Asia Pacific market, with the opening of a new office in Sydney, Australia. GECKO Governance’s new Australian presence will facilitate the company to expand into the third largest fund centre in the world and extend the company’s reach beyond EMEA and the US.
Poppulo, the world’s leading employee communications software company, announced that it is targeting Australia in the latest phase of its global expansion. This follows Poppulo’s huge growth in the US market. With a strong foothold in Australia with clients such as Foxtel, Caltex and CHEP, Poppulo’s new Australian operation will be led by Australian native Adam Dawson.
Julie Sinnamon, Enterprise Ireland CEO said “In Ireland and on the ground internationally, Enterprise Ireland is supporting innovative companies like Prodigy Learning, WeBringg, GECKO Governance and Poppulo to expand internationally and achieve their global ambitions. Expanding the Irish export footprint in markets beyond the UK is a key priority, in the context of the UK exit from the European Union and the Asia Pac region delivered double-digit growth for Enterprise Ireland clients in 2016 with an impressive 16% year on year gain, making it the second fastest growing region for Enterprise Ireland backed companies in 2016.”
ENDS
For further information: Conor O’Donovan, Head of Communications, Enterprise Ireland 087-9671342Marika MacCarvill, Press & Media Relations, Enterprise Ireland 01-7272857 / 086-171 2568
About Enterprise Ireland Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland. www.enterprise-ireland.com
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