2024 Wrapped

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2024 in Review: Celebrating Milestones As we approach the end of an exciting year, we’d like to take a moment to reflect. From new partnerships and groundbreaking initiatives to the inspiring stories of innovation and collaboration, this year has been one of growth, progress and shared success. National Initiatives As part of our Digital for Sport initiative, we published five challenges this year, two of which have resulted in successful deals (to date!). With the launch of Discovery Exchange, members will have the opportunity to engage with researchers focused on deep tech and innovation, driving the development of impactful solutions to address societal challenges. ESI Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales The Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales programme has been a great success! Registrations for the next cohort are now open on the Members’ Hub. Helen Clarke Co-Founder and Head of Operations at Clarke Analytics Our Regional Partner Network is Delivering! Welcome to our New Network Partners A Good Year for Networking Cuty Gupta | CozmoTec  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKV9eYaBwMU Decision Analytics & Data&Design Digital Workforce & Exertis deal

Discovery Exchange Aims to Accelerate Solutions to Society’s Biggest Challenges

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Skillnet Innovation Exchange is delighted to announce details of Discovery Exchange, a new initiative developed in partnership with Research Ireland to promote collaboration between industry leaders and researchers funded under the National Challenge Fund. The aim of the initiative is to develop a better understanding of the challenges society is facing, from multiple perspectives, and facilitate a collaborative approach to developing innovative solutions to tackle them. Discovery Exchange will provide an opportunity for academic researchers and enterprise to engage and learn from one another, fostering potential collaborations that will enable the development of impactful solutions to societal challenges. The launch event, which was held on 22nd October 2024, brought over 250 delegates together to explore the different mindsets, approaches and processes required to address the big challenges in green transition and digital transformation, kick starting a process of collaboration between industry and innovators through keynotes, panels and roundtables. If you are interested in being involved in this initiative or in future Discovery Exchange events, please contact Rachel at info@theinnovationexchagne.ie

Skillnet Innovation Exchange Expands into Northwest

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Skillnet Innovation Exchange, the initiative that connects large businesses facing innovation challenges with SMEs that can fast track the solutions, has announced an expansion into the northwest region through its west regional partner, Platform94, as part of its continuing nationwide expansion.   Platform94 will bring the benefits of Skillnet Innovation Exchange to businesses in Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim. The partnership will offer ambitious and innovative SMEs the opportunity to get connected with large businesses looking to access digital transformation solutions.   Attending today’s launch in Sligo’s AIM Centre, Dara Calleary TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Skillnet Innovation Exchange to Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim and very pleased that the benefits offered by the initiative can now be easily accessed by SMEs in the northwest. Congratulations to Platform94 and Skillnet Innovation Exchange for making this happen and showing what can be achieved by positive collaboration.”   The nationwide expansion of the programme offers more SMEs access to a wide range of benefits, including access to a readymade sales pipeline, upskilling and collaboration opportunities with large corporations. To date, the Innovation Exchange has facilitated the delivery of 50 innovation challenges to its SME member base. Corporate members of the Innovation Exchange, which now number over 40, include some of Ireland’s leading companies including Ernst & Young, Hilton Foods, BWG, Coolmore Stud, ESB, Ryanair, An Post and many more.   Paul Healy, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, said: “Skillnet Ireland is delighted to announce the latest expansion of Skillnet Innovation Exchange in the northwest region. This expansion into Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim will create vital opportunities for SMEs to widen their business horizons and engage with larger corporations on pressing innovation challanges. Through this collaboration, large domestic and multinational companies will benefit greatly from access to innovative homegrown SMEs”.   Platform94, which helps ambitious technology businesses in the west of Ireland and beyond to scale internationally, was the first enterprise hub to become a regional partner of the Innovation Exchange in 2023. Other Skillnet Innovation Exchange regional partners include the Ludgate Hub in Cork, The Mill in Drogheda, RDI Hub in Kerry and GreenTech HQ in Enniscorthy.   Conor Carmody, Director, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, said: “Skillnet Innovation Exchange’s regional expansion throughout Ireland has afforded many SMEs the unique opportunity to collaborate with large corporates, bridging the innovation divide and strengthening the Irish business ecosystem. We are excited to continue our collaboration with Platform94 and to cultivate new, impactful relationships with businesses in the northwest. We especially look forward to highlighting the exceptional talent within northwest companies and supporting their growth as they scale their businesses”.   Marie Donnellan, CEO, Platform94 said, “At Platform94, we’ve always maintained a regional approach in our work with innovative and scaling businesses throughout the west and northwest of Ireland. We’ve focused on fostering a strong spirit of collaboration across both the west and northwest region. This extended partnership will enable us to offer even greater support to these businesses and the broader scaling ecosystem in the West/Northwest.” <END> Download Press Release About Skillnet Innovation Exchange Skillnet Innovation Exchange is where businesses facing digital transformation challenges are connected with innovative solutions providers with the talent to help them achieve their ambitions. Large corporations get access to Ireland’s most talented solutions providers to accelerate digital transformation. Scaling technology companies get an instant sales pipeline as well as access to key decision makers, market intelligence and the capability to sell to large corporates. To learn more, visit www.theinnovationexchange.ie   About Skillnet Ireland Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 26,600 businesses and more than 97,700 trainees annually, through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiatives – Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, Skillnet MMC Accelerate and MentorsWork – across most sectors and all regions in Ireland.       Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. To learn more about Skillnet Ireland visit: www.skillnetireland.ie Skillnet Business Network search tool: https://www.skillnetireland.ie/our-networks/ Facebook: @SkillnetIreland    Twitter: @SkillnetIreland    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/skillnetireland    About Platform94: https://platform94.com/   For further information or interview requests, please contact: Oonagh Fox, Skillnet Innovation Exchange 0878554406 oonagh@theinnovationexchange.ie     Noreen Conway, Platform94 0861973638 noreen.conway@platform94.com

Skillnet Innovation Exchange Expands into Limerick

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Skillnet Innovation Exchange, the initiative that connects large businesses facing innovation challenges with SMEs that can fast track the solutions, has announced an expansion into the southwest region through its regional partner, RDI Hub, as part of its continuing nationwide expansion.   RDI Hub and Innovate Limerick will join forces to bring the benefits of Skillnet Innovation Exchange to businesses in Limerick city and county. The partnership will offer ambitious and innovative SMEs the opportunity to get connected with large companies looking to access digital transformation solutions.   Attending today’s launch in Limerick’s Engine Collaboration Centre, Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: “I’m delighted that Skillnet Innovation Exchange is extending its reach and influence to Limerick and in doing so, is contributing to the competitiveness of companies in the region. Now, through Innovate Limerick, SMEs in the southwest can avail of the very real benefits Skillnet Innovation Exchange has to offer including upskilling, networking and access to business opportunities”.   The nationwide expansion of the programme offers more SMEs access to a wide range of benefits, including access to a readymade sales pipeline, upskilling and collaboration opportunities with large corporations. To date, the Innovation Exchange has facilitated the delivery of 50 innovation challenges to its SME member base. Corporate members of the Innovation Exchange, which now number over 40, include some of Ireland’s leading companies including EY, Hilton Foods, BWG, Coolmore Stud, ESB, Ryanair, An Post, and many more.   Paul Healy, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, said: “Skillnet Ireland is pleased to announce the latest expansion of Skillnet Innovation Exchange, this time in the Limerick region. The programme is offering much coveted opportunities for SMEs to expand their business horizons and engage with larger corporations. The Skillnet Innovation Exchange is also delivering substantial commercial solutions to domestic and multinational corporations that are engaged with the programme, and benefiting greatly from the creativity and innovation of our home-grown SMEs.”   Other Skillnet Innovation Exchange regional partners include the Ludgate Hub in Cork, The Mill in Drogheda, Platform 94 in Galway and GreenTech HQ in Enniscorthy.   Conor Carmody, Director, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, said: “Skillnet Innovation Exchange’s regional expansion throughout Ireland has afforded many SMEs the unique opportunity to collaborate with large corporates, bridging the innovation divide and strengthening the Irish business ecosystem. We are excited to continue our collaboration with RDI Hub and to cultivate new, impactful relationships with businesses in the southwest. We especially look forward to highlighting the exceptional talent within companies and supporting their growth as they scale their businesses”.   Megan Daly-Tyrell, Business Development Manager, RDI Hub “‘The ethos at the RDI Hub is all about making connections for start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, corporates and enterprises to create, digitalise, innovate and scale businesses. To this end, the Innovation Exchange is a perfect partnership for us as it supports our key focus which is creating new jobs, products and services in the southwest. RDI Hub is delighted to partner with Innovate Limerick to bring the benefits of Skillnet Innovation Exchange to businesses in Limerick city and county”.   Dennis Barry, CEO Innovate Limerick: “We are delighted to host the Skillnet Innovation Exchange launch here at the Engine. Innovate Limerick is synonymous with expanding and furthering the local ecosystem through collaboration and partnerships in all sectors. We are looking forward to partnering with the RDI Hub and expanding the Skillnet Innovation Exchange program to Limerick”. <END> Download Press Release About Skillnet Innovation Exchange Skillnet Innovation Exchange is where businesses facing digital transformation challenges are connected with innovative solutions providers with the talent to help them achieve their ambitions. Large corporations get access to Ireland’s most talented solutions providers to accelerate digital transformation. Scaling technology companies get an instant sales pipeline as well as access to key decision makers, market intelligence and the capability to sell to large corporates. To learn more, visit www.theinnovationexchange.ie   About Skillnet Ireland          Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 26,600 businesses and more than 97,700 trainees annually, through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and three National Initiatives – Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange and MentorsWork – across most sectors and all regions in Ireland. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.        To learn more about Skillnet Ireland visit www.skillnetireland.ie        Skillnet Business Network search tool: https://www.skillnetireland.ie/our-networks/      Facebook: @SkillnetIreland       Twitter: @SkillnetIreland       LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/skillnetireland         For further information or interview requests, please contact: Oonagh Fox 0878554406 oonagh@theinnovationexchange.ie  

Skillnet Innovation Exchange launches new Impact Selling upskilling platform

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As part of our new Impact Selling Upskilling Platform, which will cover the A to Z of customer acquisition and retention, through formal training, online masterclasses and networking events, Skillnet Innovation is delighted to offer 20 members the opportunity to work towards an industry-approved and university credit-rated sales qualification – a Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales. The course, which is delivered by the European Sales Institute (ESI), is self-paced, delivered online and designed to be stackable with up to four micro credentials available. This valuable opportunity is fully subsidised for Skillnet Innovation Exchange members. Applications to join this programme are now open to Skillnet Innovation Exchange members.   ESI provides a stackable university-grade certification programme for commercial professionals globally. The flagship credential is a Professional Diploma in Entrepreneurial Sales. This certification is credit-rated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority [SQA] and maps to international certification frameworks including the European Qualifications Framework [EQF] and the National Framework of Qualifications for Ireland [NFQIE].

Skillnet Innovation Exchange Announces First Deal Done of 2024

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Skillnet Innovation Exchange announced its first deal of 2024, bringing to 13 the number of deals signed by members of Ireland’s marketplace for innovation.   The latest deal was signed in February after Horse Sport Ireland published a challenge via Skillet Innovation Exchange to identify a solutions provider for an urgent and complex data cleansing project. Miagen, a provider of advanced CPM solutions with a specialisation in data integration and process flow automation was successful in its submission and pitch to the sporting body. From challenge to deal it took only 10 days – the fastest deal yet.   The Horse Sport Ireland deal comes from Digital for Sport, a joint initiative between Skillnet Innovation Exchange and Sport Ireland, that was created at the end of last year to accelerate the digital transformation of sport in Ireland.   This follows the previous deal which saw Intersport Elverys sign a deal with Energy Elephant. Elverys joined Skillet Innovation Exchange as part of its search for solutions to a variety of sustainability challenges. Innovation Exchange member, Energy Elephant, was able to propose a one stop shop for solutions covering energy, water, waste and scope three for supply chain and won the contract.

THE MILL ENTERPISE HUB UNVEILS €229M ECONOMIC IMPACT FINDING AS PART OF ITS 10TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

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Congratulations to our Regional Partner, The Mill Enterprise Hub Drogheda, on unveiling a €229M economic impact finding during its 10th birthday celebrations. What an amazing event to mark a decade of success.   THE MILL ENTERPISE HUB UNVEILS €229M ECONOMIC IMPACT FINDING AS PART OF ITS 10TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   May 10th 2024 Drogheda, Ireland – On Friday, The Mill Enterprise Hub Drogheda officially celebrated its 10th Birthday. The event, which had close to one hundred in attendance, contained a number of speakers and fireside chats and was also the launchpad for the new three-year strategy for The Mill Enterprise Hub for the period 2024 – 2027. As part of the celebrations, The Mill also unveiled its 10-year economic impact report.   Economist, Dr. Pat McCloughan of PMCA Economic Consultants unveiled his economic impact study which measured the contribution of The Mill Enterprise Hub for the period 2014 – 2023. Commenting on the report, Dr. McCloughan described the findings of this report as being “very significant” and identified that companies located in the Mill had generated a combined Gross Value Add, (measure of economic contribution) of just under €229M over the 10 Year period, with 2023 proving to be a record year with over €45M being generated in GVA by the 65 companies represented in The Mill for that year.   The report revealed that the overall number of jobs being supported by companies in The Mill (both directly and indirectly) had grown to 318 jobs and that €34M has been generated to the Irish Tax Exchequer due to the activities of companies located in The Mill over the 10-year period.   Speaking at the launch of The Mill’s new 3-year Strategy, The Mill CEO Ronan Whitty commented that, “Having engaged with our resident ‘Millers’ and our board we feel that our new strategy is a true reflection of both the values and the mission of The Mill to position itself as a ‘Recognised National Leader in Effective Regional Enterprise Development’ and builds upon the existing success of The Mill’s work to date. The addition of the new start up and scale up supports spread around the walls of The Mill are the manifestation of the strategy and will aid us in the implementation of the strategy and will help further drive a culture of The Mill being a home for where startups and scale ups identify as being a supportive partner in growing their enterprise and Drogheda as a pro business location”.   “We are extremely proud of the findings unveiled in the economic impact report which underline The Mill’s track record of economic development in the region,” added Ronan Whitty, “and we are confident that the implementation of the new strategy will lead to continued enterprise development opportunities for aspiring new entrepreneurs in the northeast moving forward as well as a landing site location for foreign direction investment in the region. I would like to also take this opportunity to publicly thank the many people who had the vision, courage and conviction to create The Mill back in 2014 without which none of us would be here to celebrate today”.   As part of the celebration The Mill played a ‘Reeling in The Years’ video telling the 10 Year journey of The Mill from inception to launch and following its journey right up to its current status in 2024. The current Chairpersons of The Mill Shona McManus of Osborne Recruitment and Steven Rice of Big Wheel Marketing then held a fireside chat with Graham O’ Rourke, the original Chairperson of The Mill and founder of Aphix Software to discuss how The Mill has evolved over the 10 years and their thoughts on the future of The Mill.   The event also contained a fireside chat with the Innovation Exchange for which The Mill is the Northeast Regional Partner which showcased how SME technology businesses can now access a pre-approved sales pipeline of challenges with leading multinationals to support SME growth in the region.   Minister for State, Thomas Byrne was also in attendance and, addressing the audience, he stated the importance of The Mill to Northeast community and the significance of today’s economic impact findings. “The Mill Enterprise Hub is a key part of the entrepreneurial eco system for the Northeast region and provides a supportive environment for those looking to both start up and grow their businesses in the region, the findings of the todays 10-year economic impact report highlight The Mill’s significance on both a regional and national level.”   ENDS   About The Mill Enterprise Hub   Drogheda Enterprise Centre, trading as The Mill Enterprise Hub is a ‘Not for Profit’ organisation that was opened in 2014. The Mill provides affordable office and hot desking for startup and scale up companies as part of a supportive start up community environment as well as a co working space for remote workers.   The Mill Enterprise Hub works closely with many business development organisations such as Louth LEO, Enterprise Ireland, Drogheda & District Chamber, Connected Hubs, the NDRC, Skillnet for which The Mill is the North East Regional Partner for Skillnet’s Innovation Exchange Programme. In addition, The Mill is one of the landing sites for FDI in the north east region. The Mill provides virtual offices and is also an events venue with Boardroom and Conference Room facilities available for hire in addition to the recently added Studio 92 Media Centre which offers cost-effective Podcast & Media studio facilities for businesses.   For more information, please contact: startup@themilldrogheda.ie

100 pitches and 13 deals clocked up by Skillnet Innovation Exchange members

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In its quarter one 2024 update, Skillnet Innovation Exchange has announced that it has facilitated 100 of its SME members to pitch directly to corporate buyer since its inception two years ago. In that time, 13 deals have been done and many more collaborations between SMEs and large businesses seeking solutions to their digital transformation challenges are taking place.   Skillnet Innovation Exchange was established to connect large businesses facing innovation challenges with members that can fast track the solutions, promoting the adoption of innovation by industry and creating business opportunities for SMEs.   The latest deal was signed in February after Horse Sport Ireland published a challenge via Skillet Innovation Exchange to identify a solutions provider for an urgent and complex data cleansing project. Miagen, a provider of advanced CPM solutions with a specialisation in data integration and process flow automation, presented the solutions. From challenge to deal it took only 10 days – the fastest deal yet.   The Horse Sport Ireland deal fell under Digital for Sport, a joint initiative between Skillnet Innovation Exchange and Sport Ireland, that was created at the end of last year to accelerate the digital transformation of sport in Ireland.   This follows the previous deal which saw Intersport Elverys sign a deal with Energy Elephant. Elverys joined Skillet Innovation Exchange as part of its search for solutions to a variety of sustainability challenges. Innovation Exchange member, Energy Elephant, was able to propose a one stop shop for solutions covering energy, water, waste and scope three for supply chain and won the contract and won the contract.   Other recent deals include Decision Analytics & Pembroke Alliance. Decision Analytics, a member company that uses business intelligence tools, data analytics and AI to deliver insights. Pembroke Alliance published its challenge via Skillnet Innovation Exchange which cantered around solutions in cybersecurity, data analytics and CX. Following a successful submission and pitch, Decision Analytics has delivered three projects for Pembroke Alliance and the relationship continues to deepen.   Collaborations, which are agreements between Skillnet Innovation Exchange members to work together to create new solutions, announced in the period include Decision Analytics & IBM EVE and Exploeo   Skillnet Innovation Exchange now has 40 corporate members (large businesses that are seeking to collaborate with smaller tech companies to develop solutions to accelerate their digital transformation), including many big brand names of Irish business from Ryanair and Glanbia to AXA Insurance and IBM. Many public sector organisations have joined Skillet Innovation Exchange including IDA Ireland, Bord na Mona, Gas Networks Ireland, ESB and An Post.   As well as the challenges presented above, quarter one has seen challenges focused on process automation, robotics, scope 3 reporting, communication and data. Member SMEs are invited to attend the challenge call, submit their proposed solution and if successful at that point, a face-to-face meeting with the corporate buyer. There have been 38 challenges published via Skillnet Innovation Exchange with that number expected to reach over 50 by year end.   New Training Offering Skillnet Innovation Exchange launched a new upskilling programme at the end of March, covering both in person and online learning capability that addresses the gaps in skills of members including sales development, marketing capability and overall commercial competence.   Members Meetup Members Meet up – Skillnet Innovation Exchange also facilities a number of networking events each year. Gianni Matera of Growing Capital was the guest speaker at its last member meet up in March, where he announced his investment into Skillnet Innovation Exchange member, SlickPlus.