DCU And AIB Launches The 12 Business Days Of Christmas

Dublin City University and AIB Team Up To Help Launch Twelve New Irish Internet Start-Ups Creating 24 Jobs

Each business day, a team of staff and students from Dublin City University will help launch a new Internet start-up from the 1st to 20th of December with support from AIB.

The “12 Business Days of Christmas” initiative developed by Dublin City University’s Leadership, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre (LINK) will be helping to kick-start brand awareness of 12 new Internet companies from a range of industries including mobile application design, e-commerce, and web TV. Together these companies will employ over 24 people in 2012. A new business will launch on each business day (excluding December 6th and 7th due to the announcement of the Budget) from 1st December to 20th December. Each day will focus on driving and building awareness for that one business through traditional and social media. The initiative is supported by AIB.

The twelve companies are clients of the LINK Research Centre at DCU, a research unit attached to DCU Business School, or start-ups formed by recent DCU Business School graduates. The December launch date order is as follows:

• Dec. 1st - Smartouch Media: Mobile Applications and Web Design and Development
• Dec. 2nd - CompareBookPass: E-commerce Platform for Driving Lessons and Instruction
• Dec. 5th - Talentevo: Online Performance Management Solutions
• Dec. 8th - Imagine Sunglasses: Online Retail Site for Sunglasses Dec. 9th - Sanncus: Online Software Asset Management Tools
• Dec. 12th - AerTv: Web Television Service Dec. 13th – Edubills: Online Payment Systems for Parents and Schools
• Dec. 14th - My Doggy Hotel: Online Kennel and Cattery Rating and Booking Systems Dec. 15th - Rentview: Online Rent Management Software
• Dec. 16th - Nimble Tours: Multimedia Tour Applications for Mobile Devices
• Dec. 19th - Dairy LIMS: Online Software for Laboratory Information Management
• Dec. 20th - Maybe Video: Online Video Platform for Property and Real Estate

The LINK Research Centre is an applied research centre that works closely with entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses. Businesses and individuals are supported and mentored to help develop their ideas into fully viable business start-ups and grow these companies once established. Dr. Theo Lynn, Director of Industry Engagement at DCU Business School, said “DCU is Ireland’s University of Enterprise. We believe small business is big business and SME’s will play a crucial role in Ireland’s future economic growth.”

Dr. Lynn added, “Universities, whether through research, education or engagement, should and can play a much more tangible role in helping entrepreneurs and start-ups develop and grow their businesses. We are delighted at the support we have received throughout DCU including staff, DCU Student’s Union, the Media Production Society and our local bank, AIB.”

Lucia O'Riordan, AIB Bank said: “Small businesses play a critical role in the Irish economy and are an essential ingredient for national recovery. We recognise and understand that there is a need for us to do much more. Supporting events like the ‘12 Business Days of Christmas’ here in DCU is a good opportunity for AIB to increase its involvement. It also provides a way for local enterprises to network, grow and develop their business.”