iMSISS

Hothouse

Over the weekend I went to see “Burn After Reading”, the dark comedy by the Coen brothers of Fargo and No Country For Old Men fame. The film, to me, felt very Fargo-esque, not least that Frances McDormand who also starred in Fargo starred in this film. The characters will surprise - Brad Pitt wasn’t too out of place as a young, slightly idiotic gym instructor even though we’ve seen him in such serious roles in Meet Joe Black and Fight Club. George Clooney is also not his usual confident self such as in Michael Clayton, rather he is a slightly quirky, charming but nervous man who lends alot to the film’s character. I loved the comic moments in the film. Some of them were funny because of their in-your-face surprising nature while others were subtle, created by characters’ idiosyncrasies and situational comedy.

I got to attend a Hothouse graduation and networking event in Croke Park today. The event was hosted in the impressive Cusack Stand which provided a very luxurious venue and an inspiring view on to the night-time pitch. There was some mingling time beforehand where we went around to some of the displays set up by past and current Hothouse members after which we were hustled into the conference room for some graduation presentations, short pitches and talks. After the Hothouse 13/14 members were presented with their diplomas each of the companies presented a short 1 minute pitch on their idea, their progress and the future. Alpha Wireless and Trezur were two companies that caught my ear, they provide Ultra-Wideband Antennas and Music technology respectively. Julie Meyer, CEO of Ariadne Capital and Eoghan Noolan, Engineering Manager of Google Ireland presented on their views and suggestions for the coming years.