Dublin is such a hub for big tech companies that you might think ‘if we come to Dublin, we’re going to be competing with all of them, we won't be able to get good staff’. But I think the opposite is true. Because we’ve got such a base of well recognised brands in Dublin, that actually brings qualified people from all over Europe here.
Cork has become the global hub of choice for international headquarters of technology companies, home to over 100 technology companies. With over 40,000 students across Cork’s two universities, NetApp’s decision to base its international headquarters in Cork provides access to a talent pool that is truly worthy of supporting the robust and evolving technology market. As well as being a part of the vibrant emerging business scene in Cork, NetApp’s hybrid working model means there are opportunities for technical and non-technical candidates across Ireland.
Vanta is a startup focused on automating cybersecurity compliance, founded in 2018 in response to rising numbers of high-profile data breaches. In a short time it amassed 8,000 customers worldwide, and a $150 million funding round in mid-2024 valued the company at $2.45 billion.
On an accelerated timetable to capture a fast-growing compliance market, the rapidly scaling company chose Dublin as the site of its European headquarters in 2022. The company chose Ireland due to the availability of talent that helps scaling companies to set up a hub for serving multiple regions from one place, through functions like sales, support and customer success.
Vanta also leaned on its experienced head of international, Paulo Rodriguez, who was already based in Ireland and was familiar with working in multinationals located there, including Google and Dropbox. Rodriguez was able to avail of his personal network in Ireland to identify potential recruits for Vanta, and for seeking advice as it expanded in Europe.
According to Rodriguez, Vanta benefits from Ireland’s tech ecosystem that has large, established tech businesses alongside newer arrivals. This variety allows professionals at different stages of their careers to make progress through opportunities like working at a startup.
The fact that English is the native language also makes it easier for a US or international company to set up and do business from there. As of 2024, Vanta employs close to 30 people in Ireland and it expects this number to grow.
We have a talent pool that allows us to serve a large population in a very effective way, both with language and specialisation skills like sales or customer success.