Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ms. Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, visited Galway Technology Centre (GTC ), in the IDA Business Park, Mervue, Galway on Tuesday. Ms. Mitchell O’Connor was accompanied on her visit by Sean Kyne TD, Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources and Hildegarde Naughton TD.
Ireland’s largest enterprise centre, Galway Technology Centre is currently home to 46 start-ups, growing companies and SME’s employing in excess of 230 people. The Centre has experienced record growth since 2013 with a trebling of the number of companies based at the centre from 16 to 45.
A critical part of Galway’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Galway Technology Centre has supported over 145 companies and 1300 high value jobs in the west since its establishment in 1994.
Galway Technology Centre is a key partner for the IDA, hosting several of the IDA’s multi-national clients and providing a ‘soft-landing’ for companies until they are settled into the region. GTC has supported many international companies over the years including EA Games, Avaya, Lumension & Wayfair.
The centre has recently completed the second phase of a €360K investment in its 50,000sq. ft. facility which included the refurbishment of the meeting rooms, public areas and lift installation. The centre recently launched ‘thekitchen@gtc’ a new shared multifunctional tenant employee space for hosting talks, clinics and pitching events in an informal environment.
During the visit, Minister Mitchell O’Connor viewed the upgraded facilities and met with Frank Greene, Chairman Galway Technology Centre, members of the GTC Board, as well as a number of Galway Technology Centre clients including Black Pug Studio, IPSwitch, Hillwalk Tours and 9th Impact.
Mr. Greene discussed with Minister Mitchell O’Connor future plans for the provision of facilities and service enhancements at the centre which focus on fostering digital innovation through the growth of Digital Media Enterprises and encourage the emergence of new digital enterprises in a flexible structure with networking opportunities.
Minister Mitchell O’Connor congratulated Galway Technology Centre on its achievements to date and paid tribute to the board for their commitment to the development of the Centre.
“Minister Mitchell O’Connor said ‘’The importance of high-quality serviced office space and a collaborative environment in the promotion of entrepreneurship, employment and economic growth is widely acknowledged internationally.
“I congratulate the board of Galway Technology Centre on their vision for the future development of the centre and their contribution to the development of a vibrant enterprise culture in Galway,”.
Niamh Costello, Manager, Galway Technology Centre said, “We are delighted that the Minister was available to view at first hand the work we are doing in Galway Technology Centre to strengthen the entrepreneurial eco-system and improve our reputation as the premier start-up location in Galway.”
Frank Greene, Chairman of Galway Technology Centre said, “The Board of Management of Galway Technology Centre is committed to offering the ‘best in class’ incubation space and a full range of support services to early stage businesses. Our mission is to provide entrepreneurs with leading edge facilities that can give them a technical advantage,” said Mr. Greene.
