A new industry-led group has been launched in the southeast to drive development and growth within the technology sector.
Eighty-five companies are involved initially.
One such company, Nearform, was started five years ago in Waterford in a so-called incubation unit as part of Waterford Institute of Technology's Arc Labs initiative.
Three years ago it employed employment in the company had grown to 20 people and the company, which builds software to help companies improve, moved to new offices in Tramore and is continuing to grow
It now employs 120 people and aims to grow to 200 within a few years.
Nearform is just one of the companies who have come together to share their experiences and develop Crystal Valley Tech, promoting the southeast region as a prime location for technology development.
Managing Director of Bluefin and board member of Crystal Valley Elaine Fennelly says around 2,000 people are employed in such tech companies in the southeast currently and with the help of the IDA Ireland and the colleges the aim is to grow that substantially over the next two years.
The launch took place in Waterford this morning.
