“What took you so long?”
Our co-founder is sitting across from the leader of Google’s Dublin office, celebrating the launch of our first global office in Dublin. She’d sat in a similar seat 10 years prior – just as the tech giant opened the doors to their own Dublin office.
SNP had the privilege of making the trip from San Francisco a decade ago to help Google’s Dublin team just as they were getting started. Because our co-founder’s family is from Ireland, trips like these fill her heart and mind with Irish dreams. Why shouldn’t SNP open operations in Dublin? Our technology customers are here; there’s vibrant culture; and it’s quickly becoming a hotbed of international talent.
But then the recession hit. Suddenly, it wasn’t about expanding into new territory or investing in growth; it was about keeping the lights on and taking care of our team.
Fast-forward to the summer of 2013 and a serious case of déjà vu. Our other co-founder found himself in a familiar position when Airbnb, one of our newer customers, asked him to take the trip across the pond with them. Could we help them establish a brand-new office in Dublin – because, had we heard, it’s the most attractive city in which to grow a large European hub?
Once on the ground, the feelings hadn’t changed – they’d only grown stronger. This was our second chance to make a commitment to Dublin, and to our company.
It took us 10 years to understand what Google knew way back when, and what Airbnb (and others) reminded us of now: that when considering entering the European market, it’s Dublin. And it’s a no-brainer.
We always knew Dublin was logical for multinational companies looking for a home in Europe. But since being immersed in the community, we realize the deep roots it has in harvesting innovation and entrepreneurship. The Irish-grown startup base has gotten much international notoriety of late, with name-brand help from entities like the massive Web Summit and engineering evangelist movement, CoderDojo.
But it’s not limited to Irish businesses. The support we’ve gotten as an American company has been overwhelming. Patrick Gaule and the IDA led the way from setting up meetings with the right people to continuing to help us build our business and recruit talent.
Even seemingly simple things – like putting a roof over our heads – took the help of the Dublin community. We gravitated toward a posh office near City Centre for our first days, quickly realising that a funkier space in Ballsbridge better reflected our personality. Our flexible and accommodating solicitors, building managers and leasing agents took it in stride, giving us the time to focus on expanding business.
The way the city embraced us and enabled our success is unparalleled to anywhere we’ve been. Our journey took the help of a village: Dan O’Donnell and The Bank of Ireland; Liam Diamond and PwC; William Fry; Beauchamps; Trayc Keevans and Morgan McKinley; accounting firm, TMF, among a number of others.
Sure, it took us ten years to listen to our friends in business and to our own hearts. But now that we’re here, we’re damn glad we did. SNP Dublin has not only become a critical part of our global business but has allowed us to be grateful members of this vibrant Dublin community.
IDA Ireland will be serving breakfast at the Bridge Bar 1859 beside the Websummit Venue each morning from 8 -11am. Use this time to meet the inbound investment experts who have worked with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Dropbox and Airbnb.
