Minister O’Keeffe announces 50 jobs in new Irish online social network

‘Innovative website leverages academic research to drive commercialisation’ - Minister

21 June 2010

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD, today [Monday] announced 50 jobs in a pioneering new Irish internet platform that enables people with skills to connect with those who need them.

Weedle, an Irish technology company in Blackrock, Dublin, has developed a free website that enables users to showcase any skill, expertise or talent they have to family, friends and social and professional contacts.

Thousands of people from over 50 countries are using Weedle to help them be found by people who need their skill.

These include artists, accountants, architects, beauticians, carpenters, copywriters, doctors, designers, electricians, photographers, vets and others.

The company, which already employs 19 people, will create the 50 jobs in the development of next generation web applications over the next three years.

Weedle leverages social media and semantic web technologies for the new platform.

The project is supported by Enterprise Ireland.

Announcing the jobs today, Minister O'Keeffe said: ‘Weedle typifies the strong capacity of indigenous Irish firms to innovate in niche markets with high-potential online platforms that can spur the next generation of global internet brand-leaders.

‘Internet giants such as Google, Facebook and eBay have already hubbed in Ireland.

‘Now Weedle, an exciting Irish innovator in the internet sector, is an export-oriented firm the Government is keen to support in moving Ireland up the value chain.

‘Importantly, the company is collaborating with focused higher education research activity, commercialising it and bringing it to market - and that process of commercialisation is key to the Government’s “smart” economy plan.’

Weedle was founded by Iain MacDonald, former chief executive of broadband provider Perlico, and Michael Gallagher who has worked in telecommunications and financial services in the US and Ireland.

‘In Ireland, the US and globally, there is a wealth of highly skilled people with great expertise.

‘But despite there being significant demand from people who need these skills and expertise, there is no free large-scale simple way to match people with skills to those who need them.

‘At Weedle, we are using the power of the internet and the trusted communities aspect of social media to make searching and connecting easier and to generate increased demand for skills and expertise worldwide,’ said Mr MacDonald.

People offering professional services, trades, crafts, skills and other expertise can join Weedle free.

The website has been online for three months.

Enterprise Ireland's Head of High Potential Start-ups and Scaling, Greg Treston, said: ‘Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with Weedle and we welcome today's announcement.

‘A key element of Enterprise Ireland's strategy is to grow a strong base of innovative indigenous companies with the products, services and business development strategies that enable them to carve out their own place in global markets and drive jobs and export sales at home.

‘We look forward to working with Weedle on their continued global growth strategy.’

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Pics are being released by Fennell’s Photography.

For further information please contact:

Bernard Mallee, Press Adviser to Minister Batt O'Keeffe, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, on Tel: +353 1 631 3944, Mobile: +353 87 9173022, Email: bernard.mallee@deti.ie