Galway will take centre stage this May as EDGE26: Ireland’s Creative Economy Summit, where creative industries, technology and enterprise converge, comes to Dexcom Stadium on May 21, with a national and international line-up of speakers announced and an open call inviting startups to take part.
Hosted by CREW, EDGE26 will bring together founders, creatives, investors and industry leaders from across Ireland and internationally to explore the future of the creative economy, spanning film, games, immersive media, design, music technology and digital content. At a time when AI and new technologies are rapidly reshaping how creative businesses start, scale and compete, the conversation has never been more relevant.
An exciting line-up of speakers includes Aine Kerr, Paul Young, Melissa Sterry, Daniel Crane and Fiona Kilkelly, alongside a dynamic programme of keynotes, panel discussions and real-world case studies. Supported by a strong network of national partners, EDGE26 is focused on practical insight, giving creative entrepreneurs and scaling companies the knowledge and connections they need to grow.
But EDGE is not just about ideas. It’s also about opportunity.
CREW has launched an open call for startups to exhibit in the EDGE26 start-up zone, with applications open until Friday 10 April. This is a unique opportunity for early-stage companies working in the digital creative and creative technology sectors, including film, games, immersive and design-led innovation, to showcase their work, connect with investors and partners, and position themselves on a national and international stage.
“As someone who has worked closely with creative startups over a number of years, I’ve seen first-hand the level of innovation emerging across the digital creative sector,” said Ainslie Peters, Director of Programmes and Projects at CREW. “EDGE26 is a real opportunity for these companies to step into a room with decision-makers, industry leaders and potential partners, to showcase their work and open new pathways for growth.”
Applications can be made at edgesummit.ie EDGE26 reflects Galway’s growing role as a hub for the creative economy, one that is not only regionally significant, but globally connected.
If you are building in the creative industries, now is the time to step forward.
