Social Enterprise Gets Google Funding Boost

/ 21st June 2016 /

Social enterprises, charities and other not-for-profits are eligible for participation in ThinkTech, a €1 million project to support and develop ideas for a better Ireland funded by Google.org and the Social Innovation Fund. The initiative was launched toady at Google's Foundry building in Dublin by environment minister Simon Coveney.

Successful participants will have access to an award fund of up to €750,000, which consists of €600,000 in grants and up to €150,000 worth of support and mentoring, plus a package of Google supports. They will also enter a five month programme with Social Innovation Fund Ireland with support from Google.org, which is Google’s philanthropic arm.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate how they will use technology to make Ireland better and help solve critical social issues in an innovative way. Proposals should have already demonstrated progress towards measurable social impact; have the ability to scale across Ireland and could use a wide range of technology solutions including hardware, software, an online platform or an app.

Deirdre Mortell of SIFI said: “We are delighted to team up with Google.org for ThinkTech. This project shines a light on the potential for social enterprises to use technology to solve critical social issues and create a better Ireland. Since our launch in January this year, SIFI has grown from strength to strength, and through this collaboration with Google.org and the Department, we have been able to provide a €1 million fund and a unique platform to promote social innovations.”

The minister added: “I am delighted to be in a position to support social innovation platforms like ThinkTech. This initiative is a first for Ireland and offers a great opportunity to social enterprises, charities and other non-profit organisations to demonstrate solutions which should aim to create a measurable social impact that can be scaled all over Ireland.”