City of Mentor, Ohio Showcases U.S. Market Model During Visit to Trinity

This week ADAPT welcomed a delegation from the City of Mentor, Ohio, to Trinity College Dublin, where the team presented their model for supporting international companies seeking to enter the U.S. market.  The delegation, led by City Manager Ken Filipiak and Director of Economic Development and International Trade, Kevin Malecek, spoke about Mentor’s strategic location with direct flights from Dublin, affordable cost of doing business, access to skilled individuals, and concierge-style support system for scaling innovative businesses across North America.

One of the testimonials from the team came from Rebecca McManus, Founder and CEO of Amethyst Care, a startup from the ADAPT Centre.  Amethyst Care is developing a voice technology companion for older adults, aimed at prolonging independent living and supporting early dementia detection.  McManus described her recent experience in Ohio as “incredible,” praising the seamless coordination and the warmth of the welcome she received.

“The agenda put together for me was seamless – all I had to do was get to Mentor and show up,” said McManus. “We had meetings with the likes of the Cleveland Clinic and the VA and gained so many valuable insights on the US market and the healthcare landscape.  Being in Mentor is like finding a hidden gem.”

Amethyst Care’s initial visit, which included participation in the Ohio VC Fest and one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders, was so successful that they plan to return for follow-up discussions around clinical trials and deployment partnerships.

The delegation also included Ray Kirchner, Councilman from Mentor, and Mark Owens, Irish Honorary Consul.  The trip to Trinity formed part of a wider visit to Ireland and emphasised the value of collaborative, transatlantic innovation ecosystems.