Skillnet Ireland has announced the nationwide expansion of The Innovation Exchange, the programme launched last year to connect large companies challenged by digital transformation and technology firms that can offer solutions.
The Galway Technology Centre was named the first of 10 regional channel partners of The Innovation Exchange at the Digital West Conference in Mayo.
It is expected that the partnership will offer SMEs operating in digital transformation in the west of Ireland the opportunity to pitch to and collaborate with large corporations looking to innovate
Galway Technology Centre will host both corporates and scale-ups as Innovation Exchange members, and it will extended the benefits of the programme, a partnership between Skillnet and Furthr (formerly Dublin BIC), to enterprise hubs across the region.
The Innovation Exchange aims to establish "a nationwide footprint" by creating 10 regional channel partners by the end of this year. The programme currently has 350 participants, and aims to support over 1,000 firms by 2025.
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Skillnet has committed €5m to fund The Innovation Exchange, which has been designed to address barriers that exist for scaling companies when selling to large companies and multinationals.
Since its inception, five deals have been concluded with 20 more in the pipeline. The Innovation Exchange is calling on scale-ups and corporates located in the west of Ireland to register here.
Speaking at today’s announcement at Galway Technology Centre, Liz Thomas, head of strategic projects at Skillnet Ireland, said: “Skillnet Ireland is delighted to announce The Innovation Exchanges' expansion to all regions of the country and to celebrate today the first of a series of partnerships.
"This nationwide expansion will foster growth and development in all regions of Ireland. Our indigenous SMEs have plenty to offer when it comes to digital innovation.
"This is a great opportunity for them to easily access the benefits of The Innovation Exchange and collaborate with leading Irish and global corporates throughout the country.”
Conor Carmody, programme director of The Innovation Exchange, commented: “We are looking forward to working with Galway Technology Centre and fostering new and meaningful relationships with innovation hubs in the west.
"In particular, we look forward to showcasing the extraordinary talent that companies in the west have to offer and to supporting them in scaling their businesses.”
Oliver Daniels, CEO of Galway Technology Centre, said: “Galway Technology Centre has always had a regional perspective on how we work with innovative, scaling businesses across the west of Ireland and those involved promoting tech enterprise.
"This new association will allow us to provide even more support to those businesses and the wider scaling ecosystem in the west.
(Pic: Sean Lydon)
