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Hey there folks here’s an update on the Innovation Accelerator event and some info on the who’ll be speaking, we’ll be keeping you updated here on developments as they happen.

The exact agenda has not been finalised yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as it is, here’s an idea of some of the speakers for now though.

Speakers include:

Steve Collins – Dr Steve Collins co-founded Havok in 1998 as a spin-out from Trinity College Dublin. Steve was initially CEO before becoming CTO and he later acted as chair of the company’s advisory board and a technical consultant. Havok was acquired by Intel in September 2007 for $110 million. Steve has recently announced a new venture, New-Game Tech.

Sheena Clohessy – With over 28 years of HR experience, Sheena is a strategic HR advisor to many Irish indigenous companies. She specialises in difficult people issues, mediation, bespoke training and psychometric testing for selection and coaching. Fresh from her recent appearance on The Apprentice, Sheena will be giving some practical tips on how to identify and recruit the best possible team to help build your business.

Siofra Flood – Siofra has over 10 years experience with Irish software companies, formerly holding the role of Corporate Counsel at Havok, and Legal Counsel at Silicon and Software Systems and IONA Technologies. Siofra has a wealth of experience in the areas of software licenses, support and professional services agreements, employment agreements, due diligence assistance and commercial legal advice.

Ronan Geraghty – 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 runs Microsoft’s BizSpark Program aimed at delivering software, support and visibility to Ireland’s tech Start-ups.

Chris Horn – The co-founder of IONA needs little introduction. Dr. Horn is a non-executive director of a number of privately held software companies and business associations and advisor to a number of venture capital firms. He is also a former Director of Science Foundation Ireland, a former chair of the “Expert Group on Future Skills”, Ireland’s Educational Technology Investment Fund, and former chair of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce eCity working group; and a former chairman of the Irish Management Institute. Dr Horn regularly contributes to debate on Ireland’s high-tech industry and is a member of the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) working group at IBEC and was the founding chairman of the Ireland China Association. Dr Horn is a former member of the Board of Trinity College Dublin.

Paul Rellis – Managing Director of Microsoft Ireland, Paul is also Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce, a board member of IBEC, the Irish Management Institute and the National Digital Research Centre. Prior to being appointed MD, Paul was the Managing Director for Microsoft’s European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Operations Centre, based in Sandyford, Co. Dublin.

Mary Ryan – Founder and director of Product Innovator Ltd., Mary recently won the Dublin City Female Entrepreneur 2008. Mary has over 17 years experience working in the finance and software industries. Before founding Product Innovator Ltd, Mary Ryan was Senior Product Manager at IONA Technologies where she worked with blue-chip customers including Credit Suisse, AT&T, BellSouth, GAD, Winterthur, Swisscom, SBC, Unicible and Zurich Insurance. Mary has a strong technical background, and a deep understanding of software markets built on years of experience with customer requirements gathering, product definition, product management, sales training, lead generation and customer relationship management.

Gordon Wilson – Gordon Wilson works as a Director of Corporate Finance and IT Development with Hilary Haydon and Company. Gordon heads up a team of accountants providing professional advice and consultancy services on a diverse range of issues, from mergers, acquisitions and disposals, business start-ups, corporate restructuring and refinancing, to consulting on IT and Management Information Systems for clients.