Skillnet Ireland launches Skillnet Innovation Exchange to support businesses in Co Cavan
Press release, 13 June 2025: Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth TD, has announced the latest regional expansion of Skillnet Innovation Exchange in Co Cavan through its regional partner, The Mill Enterprise Hub.
Skillnet Innovation Exchange provides support to businesses both large and small by connecting larger companies facing innovation challenges with SMEs that can fast-track solutions. The partnership between Skillnet Innovation Exchange and The Mill Enterprise Hub will bolster the business community in Co Cavan and the wider region, as a centre for innovation, technology, and business excellence.
Minister Niamh Smyth said: “I’m delighted that Skillnet Innovation Exchange is extending its reach and influence into Co Cavan and in doing so, contributing to the competitiveness of ambitious SMEs in the region, as well as providing supports for larger companies with specific innovation challenges. Through initiatives like Skillnet Innovation Exchange, the Irish Government is supporting the digital transition across all sectors of the economy and ensuring businesses of all sizes have the skills, tools, and opportunities needed to thrive in a digital world.”
Mark Jordan, Chief Executive, Skillnet Ireland, said: “The expansion of Skillnet Innovation Exchange in Co Cavan will deliver significant advantages for local businesses, providing much-coveted opportunities for SMEs to expand their commercial horizons and engage with larger corporations. I encourage local SMEs and larger companies in the region to engage with the Skillnet Innovation Exchange and take advantage of the many benefits it offers.”
The nationwide expansion of the national initiative offers more SMEs access to a wide range of benefits, including access to a readymade sales pipeline, upskilling and collaboration opportunities with large corporations.
Conor Carmody, Director, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, said: “The regional expansion of Skillnet Innovation Exchange 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 The Mill and to cultivate new, impactful relationships with businesses in Co Cavan. We especially look forward to highlighting the exceptional talent within companies and supporting their growth as they scale their businesses”.
Ronan Whitty, CEO, The Mill Enterprise Hub, said: “The ethos at The Mill Enterprise Hub is about making connections for start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, corporates and enterprises to create, digitalise, innovate and scale businesses. 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 the North East and now into Co Cavan and beyond.”
The Skillnet Innovation Exchange has more than 1,300 scaling solution providers members of the marketplace for innovation, demonstrating a significant appetite for the initiative. Since its formation, the national initiative 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 Republic of Work in Cork City, The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen Cork, Platform 94 in Galway, 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
The Innovation Exchange is an Irish innovation platform that brings together large corporations undergoing digital transformation with scaling SMEs that offer innovative solutions. Launched in 2022, the programme bridges the gap between the demand for new technologies and the supply of agile, homegrown tech capabilities. Corporates, present real-world transformation challenges. In turn, scaling Irish SMEs—referred to as “solution providers”—pitch solutions, fostering practical and impactful collaborations. The programme operates nationally, supported by regional hubs such as Republic of Work in Cork, The Mill in Drogheda, GreenTechHQ in Wexford, Platform94 in Galway, RDI in Kerry and the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen. This ensures SMEs from across Ireland have the chance to engage with corporates and scale their businesses. Since its launch, in excess of 70 innovation challenges have been issued, resulting in successful commercial partnerships.
By facilitating direct engagement between corporate leaders and tech innovators, The Innovation Exchange drives mutual value: corporates access new digital capabilities quickly, while SMEs gain critical exposure, market insight, and commercial traction. It’s a win-win initiative supporting the evolution of Ireland’s digital economy and fostering a collaborative innovation ecosystem.
About The Mill Enterprise Hub
The Mill Enterprise Hub is the leading innovation hub for startups and scaling companies in the North East of Ireland. Based in Drogheda, The Mill Enterprise Hub provides high-quality co-working spaces, mentoring, training programmes, and access to funding supports. It fosters a collaborative ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to grow sustainable businesses. As a key regional partner of the Skillnet Innovation Exchange, The Mill Enterprise Hub connects scaling companies with enterprise-ready solutions, expert guidance, and valuable networking opportunities across Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and Kildare. Through strategic partnerships and a strong community focus, The Mill Enterprise Hub plays a pivotal role in driving regional economic growth and innovation. Learn more at www.themilldrogheda.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 26,000 businesses and more than 97,000 trainees annually, through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and five National Initiatives – Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, Skillnet MMC Accelerate, Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy 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
