Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar has opened a new state-of-the-art, eco-positive incubator for local businesses in Tallaght.
The Edge, located close to Tallaght village and just off the M50, will provide 20 offices of different sizes, 12 dedicated desks, 20 hot-desks and sound-proof booths for video calls.
The centre was developed by social enterprise Partas, which has supported both private and social enterprise jobs across the broad Tallaght area since 1984, with the government providing €1.4m in funding.
Key features include a "black box" meeting facility with high-end technology for board meetings, podcasting, video production and theatre-style events.
Solar panels, heat pumps and a heat recovery system with air exchange is designed to deliver carbon neutral heating and power.
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“It’s fantastic to officially open the Edge incubator hub here in Tallaght, which is aimed at start-ups and SMEs in South Dublin County," said Varadkar. "There’s a strong focus on innovation and creativity and the hope is to attract a new generation into business, including people just starting out on their careers.
“I am delighted that my own Department has provided funding of almost €1.4m for this exciting project through our Regional Enterprise Development Fund and Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme.
“Partas has redesigned the older enterprise centre to give it a fresh feel and to make the most of the available space. So there’s space for hotdesking and co-working, there are single private pods and multi-person units, and the hangout area in which we are launching this great facility."
Carol Gibbons, divisional manager and head of regions and local enterprise at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Strengthening enterprise development is a key focus for Enterprise Ireland, and we are proud to have supported the development of this new state-of-the art, sustainable facility through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) and the Regional Enterprise Transition Scheme (RETS).
“The Edge incubation hub will provide numerous start-ups and entrepreneurs with the space and support needed to thrive and prosper and, in turn, create employment opportunities.
"There is a real sense of enthusiasm and energy here today - I look forward to seeing the positive impact this new home of innovation will have in the community.”
John Kearns, CEO of Partas, added that The Edge is “aimed at changing the face of how new business ventures are supported and encouraged, by combining established high-end entrepreneurship with start-up ventures and offering ‘gold-standard’ eco-positive facilities.
“The broader Tallaght area, which in the past has experienced high levels of unemployment and deprivation, is now a growing, vibrant and dynamic business centre. This development represents the cutting edge of this emerging entrepreneurial confidence of the area and its people."
Clients already on site include Alexandra Hambling, an interpreter for the Nordic countries who has worked with French President Emmanuel Macron, and the Echo newspaper has also based its offices at The Edge.
Other businesses at the site include Recruitment-as-a-Service firm Cadent Sourcing Ltd, tech recruitment agency Thrive Talent Ltd, InDigital Marketing, property researcher Home Hunter Report, surveyor booker Get House Survey.ie, and FS Recruitment.
Work on the centre, which also contains a boutique-style coffee lounge with local artisan food, began in 2020, and Kearn described it as "a sustainable work haven powered by a community of self-driven individuals and change-makers under the management of Partas.
"Sustainability is one of its main pillars, to guarantee a low carbon footprint in the local community.”
The Edge is situated on the new, almost complete Dodder Greenway which, when complete, will stretch for over 17km, linking Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in Dublin city centre to the entrance to the Bohernabreena reservoirs at Glenasmole, south Dublin.
