Ireland’s Digital Healthtech Leaders Convene for Major European Digital Innovation Hub Event in Dublin

Image Caption: Patrick Sweeney (National Co-ordinator, Enterprise Europe Network), Laura Clifford (Senior Programme Manager - EDIH, Enterprise Ireland), Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD, Joe Healy (Head of Research and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland).

• Event highlights extended €23 million EDIH programme to support SME’s uptake of AI and cutting-edge digital technologies

Ireland’s growing reputation as a global leader in digital healthtech innovation was highlighted at a major industry event taking place at Trinity Business School today. Scaling Digital Healthtech in Ireland, hosted by the four Irish European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), in collaboration with Enterprise Europe Network and Ibec, saw over 400 stakeholders from across the health and life sciences sector come together to hear from leading experts across government, industry and academia, alongside panel discussions and case studies showcasing real-world innovation and impact.

Digital Healthtech represents the combination of smart connected devices and AI-powered digital health tools, which are transforming the delivery of healthcare and creating opportunities for new disruptive products and services by Irish companies.

The event marks the first in a series of national engagements designed to support Irish SMEs and public sector organisations in accelerating the development and adoption of digitisation and to increase the awareness of supports which are already available.

Ireland has established itself as a hub for cutting-edge healthtech innovation, supported by a thriving ecosystem of technology companies, researchers and policymakers. The event explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling digital healthtech solutions, including artificial intelligence integration, regulatory compliance, cyber resilience, and access to funding and European markets. 

Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD underlined the Government’s commitment to advancing Ireland’s digital health ecosystem. “Today highlights the strength of Ireland’s digital transformation and its growing, innovative healthtech ecosystem. The Government recognises the importance of maintaining and building on this momentum. At the end of 2025, €23 million was announced through my Department and the Digital Europe Programme to extend the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Programme to 2029. This investment will enable our hubs to significantly accelerate digitalisation among SMEs and public sector organisations, delivering over 3,000 engagements, 1,100 “Test Before Invest” projects, and more than 200 training courses nationwide.

As work progresses on the National Life Sciences Strategy, Ireland is well positioned to lead the future development of this sector. Bringing together industry, innovation, and expertise is essential to achieving our shared ambition: supporting Irish companies to scale globally while delivering meaningful benefits for patients and healthcare systems.

These efforts are reinforced by a wide range of supports designed to help SMEs grow and internationalise their digital health solutions. These include Enterprise Ireland, the National Enterprise Hub, Local Enterprise Offices, Ibec, Health Innovation Hub Ireland, the European Enterprise Network, and the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs operating across Ireland.”

Joe Healy, Head of Research and Innovation at Enterprise Ireland said: “Through the European Digital Innovation Hubs, we are supporting Irish enterprises of all sizes and stages to harness advanced technologies, build capability, and compete internationally. This event demonstrates the importance of connecting the network to drive uptake of the supports on offer and strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia.”

Ciara Finlay, Ibec Senior Executive said, “Demographic shifts accompanied by the rise of chronic diseases, coupled with the recent impact of the greatest global health emergency in over a century have highlighted the importance of fostering better health system resilience across the world. Digital Health is a solution that can unlock some of the challenges ahead. The digital health segment is estimated to grow at over 17.4% between 2021 and 2027 to €426 billion. The Medtech, digital health, and biopharma sectors in Ireland already stand out with 700+ companies, employing 130,000 people and exports in excess of €136 billion. The Ibec Digital Health Working Group’s vision is to enable Ireland to become a recognised global hub for digital health by supporting organisations from startups to FDI multinationals, partnering with the European Digital Innovation Hubs on events like this will help them address unmet clinical needs, grow our economy, and notably improve health outcomes.”

This series will continue later this year with Ireland's European Digital Innovation Hubs and EEN hosting additional events focusing on the manufacturing, tourism, and construction sectors.

Ends 

For further information, contact: press@enterprise-ireland.com 

Notes to Editor

About the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs)

The European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Network is a pan-European partnership established by the European Union to accelerate digital transformation across all sectors. The network supports micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mid-caps, and public service organisations (PSOs) in adopting advanced digital and AI technologies. 

Each EDIH operates within its regional ecosystem, providing localised support while benefiting from the collective expertise of the entire network. This structure ensures that organisations receive tailored assistance relevant to their specific contexts. 

There are four EDIHs as part of the national network in Ireland: 

CeADAR EDIH for AI, Data2Sustain, ENTIRE EDIH and FactoryXChange 2.0

By integrating the below types of services, EDIHs help Enterprises and PSOs by equipping them with the essential digital tools and skills to improve their competitiveness, resilience and productivity, and boost their overall digital capacities.

Test Before Invest:
Allows organisations to experiment with digital and AI technologies before investing, through prototype development & testing.

Skills Development:
Provides education and skills development to enhance digital competencies through both online and in person webinars, courses and events.

Support to Find Investment:
Assists in identifying, preparing and strategic development for funding and investment opportunities for digital projects at national & EU level. 

Ecosystem Building:
Facilitates connections and helps to navigate relevant opportunities within the EDIH network, national and European agencies and other stakeholders. 

ENTIRE EDIH:

The ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub supports SMEs, larger enterprises, and Public Service Organisations in their digital transformation journeys. ENTIRE offers a comprehensive range of services, including the evaluation of digital technologies for specific use cases, digital skills development in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, and facilitates strategic connections with relevant stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem, addressing potential gaps in the supply chain. It also helps organisations to identify and access investment opportunities for digital technologies and digitisation processes. 

The ENTIRE EDIH consortium brings together leading experts and state-of-the-art infrastructure to support organisations in deploying AI, cybersecurity solutions, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and systems, and other key enabling technologies for digital transformation.

Data2Sustain:
The Data2Sustain EDIH focuses on advancing digitalisation and data-driven innovation for a range of industry sectors and applications domains. They work to combine sectoral and application domain understanding, with a broad range of digital and advanced technology services – in user experience, software, AI, Internet-of-things, and other key technologies – to help advance client roadmaps, competitiveness and business sustainability. 

They work to deliver specific use case products and services at a prototype level for both start-ups and mature businesses. Data2Sustain’s technology team includes experienced industry leadership and dedicated applied engineering teams, embedded within their technology and sector specific research centers, technology gateways and innovation hubs. As both a technology and business consortium, they work hard to navigate the wider RDI ecosystem, to leverage the EDIH network and to support a client’s journey in technology, business, or funding.

CeADAR:
CeADAR is Ireland's Centre for AI and the EDIH for AI in Ireland. Through the EDIH for AI programme they support start-ups, SMEs, mid-caps and Public Sector Organisations in any sector across Ireland to digitalise by understanding and using Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

CeADAR provides data science expertise and resources to empower your Enterprise/Organisation to explore, experiment, and build AI solutions into products and services and transform your productivity, competitiveness, digitalisation and sustainability. They offer upskilling opportunities to increase AI literacy, enabling teams to engage confidently with AI. The team also provides support to find investment, helping enterprises navigate existing funding opportunities.

FactoryXChange:
FactoryXChange 2.0 (FXC) empowers SMEs and startups by connecting them with advanced digital technologies, expert advice and funding to integrate ecological, digital, and societal solutions, thereby fostering sustainable growth and competitiveness. 

Through a collaborative, one-stop-shop approach, FXC transforms digital innovations into practical, impactful solutions that benefit both society and the economy, particularly focusing on enabling Industry 5.0 factories and accelerating digital transformation. 

FXC Target Audiences include: 

• Manufacturing SMEs and Startups seeking to embrace digital transformation for greater competitiveness and operational efficiency.
  • Public Sector Organisations interested in applying advanced digital technologies to enhance service delivery and public engagement.
  • Industry Collaborators and Innovation Partners looking for strategic partnerships in digital innovation and technology development.

Further information is available through European Digital Innovation Hubs - Enterprise Ireland.

Ibec:

Ibec has brought together Irish Medtech, Technology Ireland and BioPharmaChem Ireland to drive cross-sectoral engagement, and increase awareness of Ireland as a place ‘Where Digital Health Thrives’ to ensure we have the right business policies and conditions to grow the digital heath sector here. Check it our map, case studies and more here https://www.ibec.ie/digitalhealth.