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Irish technology companies raised €76m from investors in the second quarter of 2010, an increase of 33% on the same period last year, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association (IVCA) VenturePulse survey. The IVCA VenturePulse survey measures funding raised from domestic and international venture capital funds, from AIB and Bank of Ireland seed capital funds, Enterprise Ireland and from private investors including angels.

Pharmacies, solicitors' practices, manufacturers and groceries – these are just some of the businesses that will go online for the first time, or upgrade their existing websites, thanks to WebActivate, a new initiative aimed at improving the web presence of Irish businesses.

WebActivate is a programme by Digital Skills Academy, and is supported by The Digital Hub, as well as Chambers of Commerce and further education institutions throughout Ireland. The project is being run as part of the Labour Market Activation Fund 2010, funded by the Department of Education and Skills and the European Social Fund.

"The show must go on, so let’s get going now," is the optimistic message from female entrepreneurs, business women and the Carlow County Enterprise Board which are all involved in a major conference and awards scheme in the South East next month. The South East Women in Business Conference takes place in the Tower Hotel in Waterford on Friday, September 17th and the Carlow County Enterprise Board has enlisted the help of established and emerging entrepreneurs, to help women-led businesses continue to run and grow their businesses, to help protect more local jobs.

The Internet Growth Acceleration Programme (iGAP) has been developed by Enterprise Ireland and the Internet Growth Alliance and is aimed exclusively at high potential internet companies. Over 6 months iGAP will equip managers within Irish internet business with the practical tools needed to formulate aggressive international growth plans and scale their businesses.

The programme will incorporate practical learning from world class facilitators combined with more intensive support from an implementation coach. Members of the Internet Growth Alliance will also act as business advisors to the participants as they complete their programme milestones and have committed sponsorship funding.

Serial Entrepreneur and BBC “Dragons’ Den” star Doug Richard is coming to Letterkenny to host a one-day seminar for new and existing businesses on 15th October.  The seminar will focus on how to start and grow a successful business, drawing on Doug’s huge experience both as a businessman and as a successful investor in other businesses.  The one-day workshop is being organised by Donegal County Enterprise Board and will take place at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

A team of researchers in Waterford Institute of Technology’s TSSG (Telecommunications Software and Systems Group) has been awarded the leadership of SOCIETIES a €15.8 million EU project that may revolutionise how emergency services respond in the wake of a disaster. According to Kevin Doolin, Head of Pervasive Communications Services in TSSG, the project aims to develop new and powerful ways that organisations such as emergency services, individuals and businesses can work, communicate, and socialise.