Unum opens its doors for Start Up Success
Yesterday (Monday 16th 2016) Unum officially launched the Unum Launchpad in Shamrock Plaza Carlow as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the enterprise eco-system in the South East of Ireland and announced EquiRatings as the first company who will take residence in their office campus in Shamrock Plaza.
Speaking about the Launchpad project, Christopher Jerome, Executive Vice President, Global Services from Unum said “We in Unum are delighted to facilitate this space as part of our ongoing commitment to the start-up eco-system in Carlow and the wider South East of Ireland. Jerome continued to say “We in Unum see the new innovative methodologies of next generation entrepreneurs as key to the development of a robust economy and are delighted that EquiRatings will be the first company to join the LaunchPad. From a standing start in 2015, they are now operating at local, national and international level”.
The Launchpad is designed for two start-up companies who can demonstrate their ability to innovate and applications are facilitated by Carlow County Council’s Local Enterprise Office. Speaking about the partnership, Kathleen Holohan, Chief Executive of Carlow County Council said “We are delighted to assist Unum in the development of Launchpad”, Holohan continued to say that “We in Carlow County Council are committed to the development of a supportive enterprise eco-system and aside from our significant financial investment we see forming strategic partnerships as essential in the development of new projects such as this”.
The first company to join the Unum Launchpad will be EquiRatings. The company launched in 2015 as the first data and analytics providers in the sport of eventing and has since expanded its services across equestrian disciplines. EquiRatings’ provides in-depth data, statistics and content to events, media, governing bodies as well as performance analysis for professional riders, owners and teams.
Speaking at the launch, Diarmuid Byrne, Director of EquiRatings said “We are delighted with this significant opportunity for our company, we now have a base in New Zealand, Germany and the US. To have the support of a company like Unum and to be developing our HQ from Carlow is something we are very proud of.”
