WEBWORKS – A NEW CONCEPT IN ENTERPRISE SPACE In association with Entreprise Ireland

Colm Hackett, Manager, Regions and Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Ireland

Providing Irish firms with more than just simply a place to successfully establish and grow their business lies at the heart of one of Ireland's most recent enterprise initiatives writes Colm Hackett.

The first ‘Webworks’ facility, a high spec, state-of-the-art innovation centre designed specifically for companies, particularly SMEs, engaged in Internationally Traded Services (ITS) is now open for business in Cork city. Developed as a public-private partnership between Enterprise Ireland, Cork City Council and Howard Holdings, Webworks offers 3,300 square metres of fully serviced enterprise space to firms seeking to trade internationally from the region.

CREATING A REGIONAL BUSINESS HUB

However, more than just enterprise space, a key objective of the Webworks concept is the creation of a regional business hub for internationally traded start-up and expanding companies. By providing the necessary space as well as a support structure for these firms, it is intended that Webworks will facilitate regional clusters of such companies to emerge and develop in a self-sustaining, mutually reinforcing way.

According to Hugh O’Rourke, Manager for Regional Development, Enterprise Ireland, this is an important step in the process of achieving balanced regional economic growth. “International experience points to the creation and expansion of clusters or networks of knowledge-driven companies as an important catalyst in the development of regional hubs for innovation and technology,” he explains.

To create the environment for such networks, Enterprise Ireland has initiated the Webworks programme with plans for the development of two regional business hubs – the facility now open in Cork and another in Galway, which will be completed in 2007.

DESIGNED FOR SUCCESS

Webworks Cork

A central element of the Webworks concept, and its goal of creating a vibrant business hub, is that the enterprise environment is conducive to networking and that it will promote mutual learning and sharing. Architects Scott Tallon Walker, in designing Cork’s Webworks, have ensured that the building’s interior allows the maximum opportunity for such interaction, aiming to provide a busy, flexible, market focussed environment. Arranged over four storeys, the building features 36 office suites ranging in size from 31 square metres to 204 square metres.

Single desk occupancy facilities are also available while flexible, short-term lease arrangements will facilitate tenants that may need to move to a larger space as their business needs change.

The centre is fully serviced by a reception and switchboard, extensive communications and computing facilities, technology advanced meeting rooms, breakout areas, basement car park, 24/7 secure access and coffee shop.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Webworks has already attracted its first tenants, with firms such as engineering services company, Brady Shipman Martin; international solictors, Dillon Eustace; and design company, Greenhouse Design, among the first to locate in the facility.

Tenancy is open to any firm trading internationally, whether a start-up or expanding firm,
in areas, for example, such as software development; technical and consulting services; data processing and electronic communications; media and multi-media; international financial services; construction related services; intellectual property services and entertainment services, among others.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Micheál Martin, T.D. officially opened the new Webworks facility in Cork. Pictured at the opening were (left to right): Brian Madden, CEO and Frank Gormley, Chairman, of Howard Holdings, Brian Quinlan, EI Regional Director, South West, Minister Martin, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Michael Ahern and Joe Gavin, Cork City Manager.