Skillnet Ireland announces Skillnet Innovation Exchange Partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta
Press release, June 2026: Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, has announced the latest regional expansion of Skillnet Innovation Exchange into the Gaeltacht in partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Skillnet Innovation Exchange provides support to businesses both large and small by connecting mid and large sized companies facing innovation challenges with digital solution providers that can fast-track innovation. The partnership between Skillnet Innovation Exchange and Údarás na Gaeltachta will bolster the business community in Gaeltacht and regional areas.
Minister Dara Calleary said: “This partnership demonstrates the power of regional collaboration in driving national competitiveness, bringing together enterprise agencies, industry leaders, SMEs and innovation stakeholders to address real business challenges and unlock new commercial opportunities. By connecting innovative solution providers with larger organisations, Skillnet Innovation Exchange will help businesses in regional and Gaeltacht areas access new markets, build strategic partnerships and accelerate growth.”
Ken Finnegan, Chief Strategy Officer, Skillnet Ireland, said: “This partnership of Skillnet Innovation Exchange and Údarás na Gaeltachta will deliver significant advantages for local businesses, extending access to a proven innovation model that enables solution providers to connect directly with larger corporations, develop new capabilities and unlock growth opportunities.”
The nationwide expansion of the national initiative offers more solution provider access to a wide range of benefits, including access to a readymade sales pipeline, upskilling and collaboration opportunities with large corporations. Since launching in 2022, Skillnet Innovation Exchange has delivered €5 million in SME deal flow, supported 80 corporate challenges resulting in more than 40 signed deals, and established a strong nationwide partner network that underpins a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Conor Carmody, Director, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, said: “At Skillnet Innovation Exchange, we help organisations unlock growth through digital transformation, AI adoption, and sustainability innovation. We’re delighted to launch our partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta to build new, impactful relationships with businesses in the region, while showcasing exceptional talent and supporting companies as they scale.”
Tomás Ó Síocháin, Chief Executive Officer, Údarás na Gaeltachta, added: “Údarás na Gaeltachta supports businesses in developing new markets, technologies, products and strategic alliances through research and development. Gaeltacht companies span a range of commercial sectors including – life sciences, ICT, tourism, fish processing and aquaculture, renewable energy, food, niche manufacturing, audio visual and digital media, arts and crafts. To this end, Skillnet Innovation Exchange is a perfect partner for us, as it supports our key focus which is creating new jobs, products and services in Gaeltacht and beyond.”
To date, more than 2,100 scaling solution providers & corporates have engaged with Skillnet Innovation Exchange, demonstrating a significant appetite for the initiative. Since its formation, the national marketplace for innovation has responded to numerous innovation challenges from companies such as InterSport Elverys, Horse Sport Ireland, Ryanair, Glanbia and many more.
Since 2022, Skillnet Innovation Exchange has successfully partnered with regional hubs throughout the country, such as Platform 94 in Galway, Republic of Work in Cork City, The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen Co Cork, The Mill, Drogheda, the RDI Hub in Kerry, and GreenTech HQ in Enniscorthy.
Scale-ups and corporates in the region are being encouraged by Skillnet Innovation Exchange to sign up at www.theinnovationexchange.ie.
ENDS
For media queries contact:
Valerie@theinnovationexchange.ie
Notes for Editors
About Skillnet Innovation Exchange
Skillnet Innovation Exchange is Ireland’s innovation marketplace, bringing together ambitious digital solution providers and corporates with real digital transformation challenges. The Innovation Exchange creates a trusted environment where solution providers can access a qualified sales pipeline, opportunities to pitch directly to decision-makers, and build lasting commercial relationships, supported by tailored training. Corporates such as Ryanair, VHI and Glanbia benefit from access to a diverse innovation ecosystem, fresh thinking & talent and proven collaboration partners who can support organisational change and growth. A nationwide partner network and national partners such as Sport Ireland and Research Ireland underpin collaboration, knowledge sharing and scalable, sustainable innovation.
About Údarás na Gaeltachta
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 24,000 businesses and more than 90,000 trainees annually, through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and five National Initiatives, 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/
