Kerry-based start-up and scale-up powerhouse RDI Hub marks five years and embarks on €1m AI for SME programme.
Kerry innovation centre RDI Hub has seen more than €250m in capital flow invested in its member businesses in its five years of existence.
Marking its fifth anniversary today (28 March), the Killorglan-based operation has published an Impact Report that reveals that 97 member companies have been supported.
“Over the past five years, we’ve played a central role in reshaping the South West’s innovation landscape”
In turn, these businesses have generated and supported as many as 430 jobs.
South West by South West: A catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship
Members of the RDI Hub team
“The RDI Hub has become a catalyst for innovation, empowering startups, SMEs, and corporates to embrace digital transformation, drive innovation, and scale for the demands of tomorrow’s economy,” said RDI Hub CEO Liam Cronin.
“Over the past five years, we’ve played a central role in reshaping the South West’s innovation landscape, fostering collaboration and growth acrosstecg diverse sectors. Today, as we celebrate this significant milestone, we are delighted to unveil new investments that will enable us to amplify our impact, supporting businesses of all sizes in reaching their full potential.”
This impact report marks the fifth anniversary of the Hub’s partnership with Irish fintech player Fexco, which has provided the 17,000 sq ft facility as well as mentorship programmes and STEM education initiatives.
“In the past five years, the RDI Hub has evolved into a world-class innovation centre that delivers results,” said Neil Hosty, CEO of Fexco. “True to the vision of our founder, Brian McCarthy, it has become a keystone for new companies in the South West of Ireland, leading advancements from fintech, AI to construction and tourism.
“The RDI Hub is a key part of Fexco’s innovation strategy, where collaboration sparks transformative ideas. The hub has the formula for launching new businesses and fostering an environment for entrepreneurs and corporates to develop future solutions. Looking ahead, Fexco is committed to supporting the hub’s growth and expanding its impact across Europe and beyond.”
Over the course of the five years some 70 new products and services have been launched by RDI companies.
In addition, more than 10,000 people have attended its training programmes. These include the AI summer School, NDRC and Skillnet Innovation Exchange as well as providing STEM education to more than 500 female secondary school students from across Munster in 2024 as part of the STEM Passport for Inclusion, run in association with the RDI Hub, Fexco, Maynooth University, Microsoft and Munster Technological University.
€1m Smart Regions AI Navigator Programme
As well as launching the Impact Report, it emerged today that Enterprise Ireland and the RDI Hub are embarking on a €1m Smart Regions AI Navigator Programme.
It is envisaged the programme will enable SMEs to adopt and implement artificial intelligence solutions. The Smart Regions AI Navigator programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027.
Over the next three years, the programme will deliver AI masterclasses, strategic workshops, training days, and wraparound consultancy services to equip Irish businesses with the tools to thrive and engage in peer-learning in an AI-driven landscape.
The programme is live and RDI hub, Portershed and Greentech HQ are delighted to announce that leading companies within the manufacturing and engineering sectors are currently taking part in the programme.
“A key focus for Enterprise Ireland is fostering regional entrepreneurship and job creation and we are proud to have supported the RDI Hub project to achieve its vision through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF)),” said Carol Gibbons, head of Entrepreneurship, Regions & Local Enterprise at Enterprise Ireland.
“Over the last five years, the hub has shone a spotlight on the talent and innovation growing and emerging from within the south-west region and has provided an incubator platform to connect research centres, universities, industry associations, regional development agencies, experts, innovators and funders under one roof.
“Furthermore, the RDI Hub enables the flow of knowledge, technologies and expertise between these organisations, stimulating, business scaling and internationalisation both regionally and nationally. I’d like to congratulate all the stakeholders involved on today’s significant milestone and Enterprise Ireland looks forward to supporting the hub in its next phase of delivery through the Smart Regions programme,” Gibbons said.
Main image at top: Liam Cronin, CEO, RDI Hub in Killorglin, Co Kerry
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. All episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
