November 23, 2007 — (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Ireland-based telecommunications provider Eircom (eircom.net) announced on Thursday that it has launched a Web Innovation Fund (eircom.net/innovation) to promote, mentor and sponsor innovative Web applications in the Irish Internet industry. The company says this demonstrates its strong commitment to foster entrepreneurship in the online sector.
The fund is worth approximately 100,000 EUR annually and up to four concepts will be selected each year. Winners will enter into an agreement with Eircom whereby concepts are developed through to production and, if appropriate, initially launched on the Eircom.net platform. Winners will also receive Web hosting and broadband packages, an introduction to business development services by Enterprise Ireland and marketing and promotions.
“The aim of the fund is to incubate creative and innovative Web application development at the grassroots in Ireland,” says Cathal Magee, managing director of Eircom Retail. “The establishment of the fund is a clear signal of Eircom’s outward approach to innovation. The company must be well positioned to maintain its leadership position as the next wave of Web services are introduced.”
Applicants are invited to submit concepts across nine key categories including discovery, messaging, voice, location, publishing, communities, content creation, advertising and identity. Submissions are due by December 10.
