Nichola and Julie were out flying the Emerald-Valley flag at TechCrunch's Europa awards this week. It was a great opportunity to meet some of Europe's best and brightest startups. We had lots of interest in the Emerald-Valley concept, and it felt really good to spread the word that Northern Ireland is a great place to base your startup!

The awards ceremony was really quick and painless (Thanks Mike!) and we were very proud to see our lovely lawyers, Forde Campbell shortlisted in the category 'Best Service Provider to Startups'. We are looking forward to helping more Northern Ireland companies follow their lead and get this level of exposure. The full set of award winners can be seen on TechCrunch along with the rest of the photographs. 

We bumped into Michelle Phelan, Singer Songwriter with Carosel who let us in on the secret that Mike Butcher was the drummer on their next album! The very lovely Deborah Rippol, EU Co-ordinator for Startup Weekend, who has convinced us that it's not too soon for Startup Weekend Newry (watch this space!) and who bonded with Julie over a pair of shoes! And we also met David Langer, co-founder of GroupSpaces a great startup for anyone involved with a group or club.

Interestingly by midnight the bar was pretty empty - those Londoners really don't party like the Irish - but it will be no great surprise to hear that the the Irish contingent of David Kelly, F.ounders; Martin Kelly, IBM SmartCamp; Eoghan Jennings, Startup BootCamp Dublin and Noel Ruane, DogPatch Labs kept us entertained until the wee small hours.

So, it wasn't all work, it was also a great night out, and yes the rumour is true Mike Butcher really did arrive on a Harley!