Over 300 of the world's leading venture capitalists with a cumulative investment power of $90 billion are today casting a discerning eye over the latest crop of Irish technology companies at the SummIT 2001 technology conference.
Sponsored by Goodbody Stockbrokers, the Dublin conference has attracted investment interest from industry giants like Intel, Cisco, Compaq, and General Electric.
At least 35 Irish technology-based companies are seeking first round or pre-IPO funding.
Goodbody expects a large number of the presenting companies to have secured up to $150 million within six months.
Speaking at the conference, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Ms Harney said the calibre of investment companies attending the conference proves that Ireland "is still on the cutting edge of global technology."
Commenting on the level of investor interest Mr Liam Kiely of Goodbodys said: "We have been completely overwhelmed at the level of interest in this event which we estimate will be one of the most successful technology investment conferences in the Irish market to date."
The SummIT technology conferences take place today and tomorrow in the O'Reilly Hall in University College Dublin.