NovaUCD companies create high tech jobs

Client companies of NovaUCD, the technology commercialisation arm of University College Dublin, have created 30 new high-tech jobs since the start of the year. In addition, four new start-ups, Cernam, LogScreen, SmartBuilder Software and Tethras, have located at NovaUCD’s incubator since January, joining its growing community of entrepreneurs.

Tethras, established earlier this year by Brian Farrell and Brendan Clavin, is developing web-based localisation tools for Smartphone application developers, and already employs seven people. Other NovaUCD companies that have taken on new staff include Aonta Technologies, BiancaMed and Enzolve Technologies.

A total of 28 high-tech and knowledge-intensive companies, occupying 39 incubation units, are now based at NovaUCD. These companies currently employ 170 staff. An additional eight entrepreneurs are also based in NovaUCD’s desk space facility, which is available to individuals involved in the design of new ventures that are at the pre-incorporation stage of their development.

NovaUCD Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre is the hub of knowledge transfer activities at UCD. Pat Frain, Director of NovaUCD, said, “The creation of new jobs by these NovaUCD client companies is clearly important for the long-term development of Ireland's Smart Economy. It is particularly satisfying for us at NovaUCD in that these new jobs are further evidence of the growing confidence that has been evident among our client companies in recent months.”  

Cernam, established in 2008, is a specialist digital investigations company focusing on online investigations. The company, originally based in NovaUCD’s desk space before moving into an incubation unit, was founded by Owen O’Connor. It is developing ways of capturing forensically-sound evidence online and providing training and consultancy services for a range of clients.

LogScreen, established in 2009 by Karl Schäckermann and Matthias Jacobs, is a managed security services company. The core services comprise the integrated collection, processing, correlation, assessment, alerting and trending of security and risk information from IT systems and networks.

SmartBuilder Software, set up in 2009 by Richard Mulcahy and Peter Daly, is developing mobile software for use on building and engineering sites and will introduce its first product later this year.