RDI Hub celebrates its five-year anniversary as €250 million in capital flows to its members

• €250 million in capital flowed through the RDI Hub for startups and scaling companies in the southwest region.
• €1M Smart Regions AI Navigator Programme: Partnering with Enterprise Ireland, RDI Hub launched a €1 million programme to help SMEs adopt AI solutions.
• Fexco Group to continue to support the RDI Hub to provide mentorship programs, funding for STEM education, specialised skills support, and to create employee-led startups.

RDI Hub, the renowned innovation centre driving business growth and technological advancement, has marked its fifth anniversary with the publication of its first Impact Report. 
 

Impact over 5 years

In the five years since its inception, the RDI Hub has become a pivotal player in the evolving innovation landscape across Ireland. The RDI Hub has seen over €250m in capital flow through to be invested in its members to establish and grow their business. In addition, other key findings from the RDI Hub Impact Report include:

• 97 member companies have been supported through the RDI Hub since it opened in 2020
• These companies have created and supported over 430 jobs
• 70 new products and services have been launched by RDI Hub companies
• Over 10,000 people have attended RDI Hub training programmes, including the AI Summer School, NDRC, and Skillnet Innovation Exchange
• Providing STEM education to over 500 female secondary school students in Munster in 2024.

Key Announcement

EI and RDI Hub announce a €1m Smart Regions AI Navigator Programme 

Partnering with Enterprise Ireland, RDI Hub announced the €1 million Smart Regions AI Navigator programme, which 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.
 

Growing our network in a virtual world

The RDI Hub Digital Community, launched in March 2024, offers global virtual mentorship and resources for tech startups. It connects mentors, entrepreneurs, and innovators with coaching and upskilling opportunities. This virtual community will expand across international markets, deepening relationships and opportunities across the global innovation ecosystem.
 

The evolving Fexco and RDI Hub Partnership

This impact report marks the fifth anniversary of the Hub’s partnership with Fexco, highlighting ongoing investment and support. 

To date, Fexco has provided the 17,000 sq. ft. facility, mentorship programs, and financial backing for STEM education initiatives. The latest of which is the STEM Passport for Inclusion, run in association with the RDI Hub, Maynooth University, Microsoft and Munster Technological University, which provided 500 female post-primary students with access to STEM education in Munster in 2024.
 

Marking the 5^th Anniversary

The RDI Hub’s fifth anniversary is being celebrated today at an event at their offices in Killorglin, Co Kerry with stakeholders from the innovation ecosystem in attendance, including RDI Hub partners Fexco, Munster Technological University, and Kerry County Council. Minister Norma Foley will deliver the keynote address, highlighting the importance of AI in shaping Ireland’s future. The event will also feature panel discussions with industry leaders, including Kevin Marshall (Microsoft), Bronagh Riordan (EY), Joseph Walsh (Munster Technological University), John Kelleher (ADAPT Research Centre), and Andreea Wade (Delta Partners), as well as examples of AI use cases from Irish businesses such as TLI, Energywise, O’Carroll Engineering, Right Group, and Tricel. Sean Kelly, MEP (Member of the European Parliament) will also be in attendance. 
 

Liam Cronin, CEO of RDI Hub, said: 

“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. Over the past five years, we’ve played a central role in reshaping the South West’s innovation landscape, fostering collaboration and growth across 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.”

Neil Hosty, CEO of Fexco, said: 

"In the past five years, the RDI Hub has evolved into a world-class innovation centre that delivers results. True to the vision of our founder, Brian McCarthy, it has become a keystone for new companies in the Southwest of Ireland, leading advancements from fintech, AI to construction and tourism," said Neil Hosty, CEO of Fexco.  "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."
 

Norma Foley TD, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, said: 

“I am delighted to be here to mark five years of innovation in the RDI Hub in the South West. The RDI Hub has been a significant catalyst in helping all types of businesses to create, digitalise and innovate. Hubs like this are harnessing the unique talent and creativity of Irish people.

I am delighted to mark the latest milestone in the evolution of the RDI Hub and announce further investment which will enable it to develop and scale even more companies. I wish all involved well for the years ahead.”
 

Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship, Regions & Local Enterprise, Enterprise Ireland said:

 “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)). 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.

The RDI Hub’s first Impact Report is available here: RDI Hub Impact Report

Ends
 

Notes To Editors:

For media queries, please contact:

RDI Hub

Kerry MacConnell, PR and Marketing Manager RDI hub
kerry.macconnell@rdihub.com 
087 6964 094
 

Deirdre Sheahan | Conor Mulligan - Drury
Deirdre.sheahan@drury.ie | Conor.mulligan@drury.ie
085 744 2242 | 083 341 1780
 

About the RDI hub

The RDI Hub is a not-for-profit Public Private Partnership with Fexco, Kerry County Council and Munster Technological University. Situated in Killorglin, Co Kerry, it is a €21 million investment led by Fexco that has transformed Kerry into a globally connected technology innovation, enterprise, and skills hotspot.  

It is one of the regional partners of the NDRC, (National Digital Research Centre) the national startup accelerator programme for globally ambitious tech entrepreneurs in Ireland, led by Dogpatch Labs in Dublin, Portershed in Galway and Republic of Work in Cork.  The RDI hub is supported by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland, which has played a significant role in the hub’s development.   

The RDI Hub has a keen focus on training and upskilling, enabling a multitude of startups, corporates and SMEs in the Southwest to grow & scale through dedicated workshops and programmes such as Sales strategy, Creative Problem Solving for teams, Leadership, Marketing & more. In 2024 the RDI hub partnered with Microsoft to provide a series of Masterclasses in Artificial Intelligence.

The core proposition at the RDI hub is about creating new products, services and jobs in the region. In order to achieve this, they provide a range of services & supports to encourage people to join the ecosystem, become part of the RDI hub community, and come together to create a co-innovation space where startups, corporates and SMEs can work together and thrive.

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.