Irish businesses looking to expand to Britain are being offered free office space in the heart of London with the launch of telecoms company Magnet Networks’ “Brentry” initiative.
Launchpad For London will see 10 Irish companies establish themselves rent-free in London’s new smart city at Wembley Park, while also enjoying the fastest connection speeds in the capital.
“With Brexit dominating the news, it is easy to forget that Britain is our largest trading partner and offers better access to funders, a better attitude to risk and a massive market for many Irish firms,” said Magnet Networks CEO Mark Kellett.
“We believe that 2017 should be the year of Brentry, giving Irish businesses a launchpad into the city that hosts many of the world’s top companies and offers the best place to test your fundraising model, product or service offering.
“Most importantly, Irish companies who are also operating within Britain will be in a stronger position post-Brexit.
“The 10 Irish companies who base themselves at Magnet’s headquarters at York House in the smart city will pay no rent for four months. They will have the fastest connection available, direct fibre optic connections from Ireland to their London desks and access to one of the largest Internet of Things and Smart City test beds in the world.
“This a fantastic area, with great connections to central London (15 minutes to Marylebone), Heathrow and the North Circular Road and hundreds of shops and restaurants.
“We are inviting interested companies to log on to launchpadforlondon.ie and complete the simple entry form before Monday April 10.”
Enterprise Ireland Regional Director for the UK and Northern Europe, Marina Donohue, praised the initiative for focusing on the importance of having a UK presence in a post-Brexit Europe.
“The UK is the largest export market for Enterprise Ireland client companies, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future,” she said.
