Embassy News & Events
26 February 2007
Ambassadors Launch Innovative New Business Network
Entrepreneurship was the theme during a joint visit to Northern Ireland by the U.S. Ambassador to the U.K. and his counterpart from the Republic of Ireland
On the first day of a two-day visit, Ambassador Robert Tuttle (UK) and Thomas Foley (ROI), launched an exciting new initiative organized by InterTradeIreland and supported by business people across the island. The All-Island Entrepreneur Network aims to stimulate business knowledge and best practice, and will encourage smaller companies to expand into wider markets. Launching this dynamic new network, the two Ambassadors talked to guests about their own unique experiences of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Speaking about the network, Ambassador Tuttle said: "This new organization will help create vibrant mentoring relationships, North and South. It will also inspire many young, and not-so-young, who are thinking about starting their own businesses to take the next ste"".
Ambassador Foley added: "Small businesses represent 99.7% of all firms in the U.S. We hope that the All-Ireland Entrepreneur Network will galvanize Ireland's further potential for entrepreneurship in this new global and creative, economy:"
Earlier in the day, the Ambassadors were hosted by Queen's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Gregson, along with representatives of the U.S.-Ireland Research and Development Partnership Steering Committee. Also at Queens, the Ambassadors met representatives of the International Research Centre for Experimental Physics whose expertise in experimental physics has sparked numerous cross-border relationships.
Building on the strong entrepreneurial focus, the Ambassadors also engaged with local participants on the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a U.S.- based project that encourages young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to realize their entrepreneurial potential. NFTE is currently being piloted among budding entrepreneurs in three Belfast schools and is also running successfully in Dublin.
An additional visit to Belfast City hospital included calls with medical experts who are teaming with their colleagues across the Atlantic to tackle diseases such as cancer and cystic fibrosis.
Ambassador and Mrs. Tuttle greeted by the CEO of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, Ms. Bernie Murphy in West Belfast. |
 |
 |
Ambassador Foley with Ms. Bernie Murphy, CEO of the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship |
Queen’s University Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson welcomes the delegation as they arrive at Queen’s University Belfast. |
 |
| 
Embassy News & Events
