Invent hosts seminar on Getting from the Lab to Market – 4^th June 09

Invent DCU hosted a seminar entitled: “Getting from the Lab to Market – What works and what doesn’t!” on 4^th June 2009. This seminar was delivered by Barry MacMahon from Microsoft who looked the following areas:

• Difference between sales and marketing – and why it is all about sales
• Building international technology businesses
• Direct vs. Indirect sales channels and market development strategies
• Leveraging  multinationals to drive your business

Barry has been with Microsoft for 7 years and is currently responsible for driving Microsoft’s application solutions business in Ireland.  During his career with Microsoft, Barry has also at various times been responsible for developing Microsoft’s partner channel and financial services and communications sector business. Prior to his time with Microsoft, Barry spent over 10 years in international business development roles for early and middle stage Irish technology companies. 

In addition, Ronan Geraghty gave an overview of the Microsoft BizSpark programme. Microsoft BizSpark is a global programme designed to accelerate the success of early stage Startups. BizSpark provides entrepreneurs fast and easy access to current full-featured Microsoft development tools and production licenses of server products with no upfront costs and minimal requirements. BizSpark startups receive professional support from Microsoft as well as community-driven support from Network Partners, active organizations in the entrepreneurial space, who can provide guidance, mentorship and resources to Startups.

A member of Microsoft Ireland’s Developer and Platform Group, Ronan is primarily responsible for working with Software and Service vendors from Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ronan also runs Microsoft’s BizSpark Program aimed at delivering software, support and visibility to Ireland’s tech Start-ups.

Picture above are Barry MacMahon and Ronan Geraghty