Intel Labs Europe (ILE), unveiled the latest Innovation Open Lab located at the Intel Ireland campus in Leixlip Co. Kildare. This is Intel's second European Innovation Open Lab, which will foster cooperation between Intel, industry and academia through joint research and innovation programs. The Lab's mission is to facilitate and enhance open research and innovation opportunities in Europe that can be converted into various broadly based and value-driven technology solutions. The Ireland Innovation Open Lab is part of the ILE initiative which was announced in January 2009.

The official opening was attended by special guests including Conor Lenihan T.D., Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation; Brian Crowley, MEP; Rick Echevarria, Vice President, Digital Enterprise Group and General Manager, Digital Office Platform Division, Intel; Dr. Martin Curley, Global Director, Intel IT Innovation and Director, Intel Labs Europe; and Jim OHara, General Manager, Intel Ireland and Vice President, Technology Manufacturing Group, Intel.

Brian Crowley spoke about the importance of open research and innovation and the role companies and universities must play in driving Europe's vision of a Smart Economy. "I am delighted to see the launch of the Ireland Innovation Open Lab. I know first hand the full extent of Intel's research collaborations across Europe and their ambitious plans to further these partnerships. The European Union's FP7 program is the key enabler for open research and innovation. I would like to thank Intel Labs Europe for supporting this initiative in Ireland and finally, I hope that today we are seeing a glimpse of Ireland's Smart Economy of the future."

Martin Curley welcomed the Innovation Open Lab as the newest member of the Intel Labs Europe network and added, "Open Innovation is one of the most pervasive business trends of our time and we are pleased to announce the launch of the Ireland Innovation Open Lab which together with Open Lab Munich will act as portals for open innovation into Intel's network of Labs in Europe. We are delighted to be collaborating with a wide range of customers, fellow travellers, academics and others to create new technologies and solutions that can advance Europe's Innovation economy and information society".

The Ireland Innovation Open Lab will host a critical mass of researchers engaged in FP7 research and innovation as well as joint innovation programs with European companies. It will also act as a showcase for leading edge research from across Europe. By the end of the year more than 30 high end researchers will be employed at the Open Lab working on open innovation supported by the EU Framework Program 7, putting Intel at the heart of European research.