SAP opens App Haus and launches Start-Up Focus programme for Irish software firms
German business software player SAP AG unveiled its next-generation App Haus office at the Citywest Business Campus in Dublin in late July. SAP also opened its doors to a select group of Ireland’s most promising high-potential start-up companies in the software sector to officially mark the launch of its Start-Up Focus programme.
Engaging with start-ups
Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, TD officially opened the App Haus office and SAP Start-Up Focus programme, the latter which SAP has brought to Ireland for the first time as part of its strategic efforts to work and engage with start-up companies in innovation hubs around the world.
Speaking at the launch Rabbitte spoke about SAP’s role in Ireland’s ICT sector, referring to its recent announcement of a €110m investment at its Dublin and Galway operations, with the creation of 250 new jobs.
“Both of today’s announcements further embed SAP’s presence in Ireland and highlight the importance of the work carried out by both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in supporting multinational companies in Ireland. I wish to offer the continued support of the Irish Government to SAP as it continues to grow in Ireland,” said Rabbitte at the time.
Speaking about Ireland’s ICT sector IDA Ireland CEO Barry O’Leary said it was of “paramount” importance to the country’s foreign direct investment portfolio.
“To see SAP evolving in such an innovative manner with the App Haus concept is very much in keeping with IDA’s strategy, which identifies company transformation as a vital part of Ireland’s return to economic growth,” said O’Leary.
Start-Up Focus programme
As for the Start-Up Focus programme, which SAP launched in alliance with Enterprise Ireland, the programme will work by providing select Irish companies with development and go-to-market support for applications that are developed on SAP’s next-gen in-memory computing platform, SAP HANA.
Launched last year, the company said this is already proving to be the fastest-growing product in SAP’s 40-year history.
Start-Up Focus will also work closely with SAP Ventures, a venture capital division within the company to identify and cultivate ground-breaking start-up companies that can deliver high quality solutions to real-world problems using SAP HANA.
Back in April SAP Ventures announced it was setting up a US$155m real-time fund, to spur development of applications compatible with SAP HANA.
Enterprise Ireland CEO Frank Ryan welcomed the initiative, pointing to how it was a great opportunity for innovative Irish companies and entrepreneurs.
“Enterprise Ireland’s Global Sourcing team will continue to work with and support SAP as it rolls out this initiative to the start-up sector in Ireland, building increased opportunities for collaboration and new technology development," he said.
Start-up ecosystem
Dr Vishal Sikka, member of the SAP executive board and head of technology and innovation at SAP AG, was the original architect of SAP HANA. He was the keynote speaker at the Dublin event in July.
“The recovery of the global economy, the future of innovation and the sustainability of a growing global population rely on entrepreneurs and small businesses. Today’s launch of the SAP Start-Up Focus programme in Ireland is an important and vital step for SAP to take in building and supporting a community of entrepreneurs and small businesses with high-growth potential,” he said.
Sikka also said that the programme has been designed to provide selected start-ups with the tools, training and support to leverage the SAP HANA platform as the technology foundation to tackle and crunch ‘big data’ issues.”
Liam Ryan, managing director of SAP Ireland, added how the facility was the company’s third Irish operation.
“I am confident that App Haus will have a significant impact on the intellectual renewal of SAP products in the future, and I look forward to witnessing the development of innovative, breakthrough applications by our teams in Dublin,” said Ryan.
