Sunday Independent: One of the biggest challenges facing the world is how to feed a population set to grow from today’s 7.6 billion to 11.2 billion by 2100. Irish agritech companies will play a key role in helping to meet that challenge.

SensL Technologies, which also develops products for medical, industrial and consumer markets, has been bought by On Semiconductor.

According to the most recent regional numbers from TechIreland, the Limerick area has 63 indigenous tech companies, out of which 12 have women founders.

Glanbia chief executive Siobhán Talbot has been named The Irish Times Business Person of the Year for 2018 at an awards ceremony held in Dublin’s Mansion House on Wednesday.

The imminent era of connected car technology and autonomous vehicles holds out the prospect of major business for Ireland, it has been claimed.

The €1,000,000 Competitive Start Fund for female entrepreneurs will close tomorrow at 3pm.  

Pernod Ricard-owned Irish Distillers has acquired Cork-based Eight Degrees Brewing, a craft beer producer whose brands include Sunburnt Irish Red Ale. It's the first ever brewer within the Pernod Ricard stable.

Cork start-up implements a groundbreaking system for sports surgery that could have a wider impact across the healthcare sector.

Dublin City Council, Fingal Council, Waterford Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Council, and Belfast City Council are seeking solutions for IoT networks, Bathing Water Quality, Smart Mobility Hubs, Last Mile Delivery - the Delivery of Goods, and Citizen Engagement. Read more for details on each Challenge and for links to each Invitation to Tender (ITT). 

The €100 iKydz device can help parents keep an eye on children’s use of the internet while not restricting their access to information, education and communications with friends.

When his conference call network was hacked, 247 Meeting founder Gavan Doherty developed an algorithm to prevent group conference calls being hacked. 

After spending over four decades building a reputation for meeting and exceeding client expectations as specialists in construction, Ardmac remains far more focused on the future than on the past.

Following the release of innovative voice technology software, Dublin company SoapBox Labs is now engaging with toy and robot makers, game and app developers and educational technology companies across the globe.

The leading tech event is supported by Enterprise Ireland and is dedicated to creating collaboration and new business opportunities for start-ups, multinationals, innovative businesses and the research community. Enterprise Ireland has made available a discounted start-up access ticket to client companies.  

As you will be aware, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) comes into law on 25^th May.  There has been a lot of debate on what the GDPR will mean for enterprises and I am particularly interested to ensure that Irish businesses are aware of their obligations.

I have put together a short information note on the GDPR outlining briefly what it means and what businesses need to do to prepare. Please also have a look at the below link to the Data Protection Commissioners GDPR and You guide.

Pat Breen TD