Minister Simon Coveney T.D. Launches €1 million Thinktech initiative to use technology for social good in Ireland.
21st June 2016: THINKTECH, a €1 million project to support and grow ideas for a better Ireland, was today officially launched at Google Foundry by Minister for Environment, Community & Local Government, Simon Coveney, T.D. Created by Social Innovation Fund Ireland with support from Google.org and the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government, the unique THINKTECH challenge will identify innovative ideas that use technology to create positive social impact in Ireland.
Social Innovation Fund Ireland and Google.org believe that technology has the power to transform our lives for the better. Successful participants will have access to an award fund of up to €750,000, which consists of €600,000 in grants and up to €150,000 worth of support and mentoring, plus a package of Google supports. They will also enter a five-month programme with Social Innovation Fund Ireland with support from Google.org.
CEO, Social Innovation Fund Ireland, Deirdre Mortell said: “We are delighted to team up with Google.org for THINKTECH. This project shines a light on the potential for social enterprises to use technology to solve critical social issues and create a better Ireland. Since Social Innovation Fund Ireland’s launch in January this year, the organisation has grown from strength-to-strength, and through this collaboration with Google.org & the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government, we have been able to provide a €1 million Fund and a unique platform to promote social innovations. This project also highlights the benefits of private and public sector organisations working together to make a better Ireland.”
Jacquelline Fuller, Director of Google.org said ”We are proud to support THINKTECH, which is the first of its kind in Ireland and look forward to seeing great projects and supporting the winners through the five-month programme which Social Innovation Fund Ireland will run in 2017.”
CONNECT is the world leading Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications. CONNECT is funded under the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centres Programme and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund. We engage with over 35 companies including large multinationals, SMEs and start-ups. CONNECT brings together world-class expertise from ten Irish academic institutes to create a one-stop-shop for telecommunications research, development and innovation.
