Silicon Valley may be many miles away but Newry has it's very own fledgling wannabe - Emerald Valley which operates out of premises at the former bathhouse on Canal Quay/ Canal Street as well as premises in Carnbane Business Park.
The startup welcomed it's first customers just in January past and is already making huge in-roads into attracting startup companies.
One of the missions of Emerald Valley is to highlight the many advantages for technology companies in having a base in Newry. An english speaking area in a border region on the edge of Europe with a wealth of transport options taking you to most parts of Europe in a couple of hours is certainly useful for American companies looking to get their foot in the European market.
Taking almost the same time to reach Dublin as Belfast, good transport options and a wealth of highly skilled potential employees within an hours drive certainly ticks quite a few boxes for potential clients.
Other aims are to help grow and support local companies already running and educate the future workforce.
Co Founder Eve Earley led a seminar this week at The Bath House on Canal Quay on Empowering Change hosting three companies that were launching new products. All three sit comfortably under the Emerald Valley umbrella.
First up was Kallsafe founder Mark Rothwell-Brooks who spoke on his smart phone App that monitors your children's phone activity, from who is texting them to where they are to if they are texting while driving. The App is being rolled out to Ireland and the UK at present and you can check out more at www.kallsafe.com
Next was Paul Graham founder of phlok.me an App that you can use to discover friends and offers available in your town or city. See www.phlok.me
Lastly www.socialclix.biz founders local girls, Eavan Brady and Sarah Meaney spoke on maximizing your company's social reach.
This is just one of many up-coming Empowering Change events. Keep an eye on Newry.info for details.
CORRECTION
Nichola Bates would like to point out that she is in no way connected to this article or organization. We have removed the paragraph that may have given this impression and unreservedly apologise for any inconvenience.


