The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney T.D and Minister of State for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation, Dara Calleary T.D. together with Enterprise Ireland and the Regional Assemblies announced €47 million of funding for the continuation of the EU co-funded EI Technology Gateway Programme until 2029.

Charged with increasing the levels of interaction between Irish Industry and the Technological Universities (TU) and Institutes of Technology (IoT), the programme is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-27.

To date, over 4,500 companies have spent €60 million via the Technology Gateways collaborating with researchers in the TUs & IoTs. The majority of these companies are Small & Medium Enterprises who gain access to facilities and knowledge that would be unavailable to them without the Technology Gateways. 

Speaking at the launch, Minister Coveney said: “I am delighted to announce this funding to ensure the continuation of the highly successful Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway programme. Over the next seven years the new programme will build on its previous achievements and continue to connect our businesses into our world class third level research system, driving innovation across all regions of Ireland. 

The new programme is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and I would like to thank the Northern & Western and Southern Regional Assemblies for all the assistance in securing this funding.

“The €47million will allow the existing 16 Gateways to continue to deliver solutions for Irish SME’s who are the core users of the programme. The funding will also be used to add a new Technology Gateway to the existing Network based in Technological University of the Shannon:Midlands and Midwest that will help local companies leverage the existing manufacturing expertise of the university.”

Commenting on the announcement of the funding, Minister Calleary said: “The funding announced today will support the continued transformation of our enterprise sector offering innovation support and assistance to start-ups, small and medium businesses and more, across a wide range of sectors.

These Technology Gateways offer specialist knowledge and design solutions for industry across a wide range of areas. I know the Gateways have already proven valuable in providing access for companies and entrepreneurs to the expertise of over 300 researchers and to the specialised equipment and facilities available in our  Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology. I expect this programme to build on the success of the last, enabling more Irish businesses to innovate and develop their competitive edge, creating jobs across our regions and for many to start their export journey to new markets.”

CEO of Enterprise Ireland Leo Clancy also welcomed the funding: “Technology Gateways focus on key technology areas aligned to industry needs. Companies all over Ireland use Technology Gateways to develop new or better products, processes and services. Since its inception in 2013, the programme and provided over 4,500 companies in Ireland with access to the talents and facilities available in the Technological Universities and Institutes of Technologies.

The success of the programme to date demonstrates how important research and development is to the growth of Irish companies. I fully expect the new programme to continue to deliver the same levels of engagement between Irish industry and the Technology Gateways to ensure our client companies continue to compete, grow and scale.”