A government report has recommended setting up a start-up hub and research centre as part of the development of the Grand Canal Innovation District, that will have a university campus at its core.
It's expected to complement plans by Trinity College to develop a site it owns in the area, that's close to tech firms such as Google and Facebook.
The Grand Canal Innovation District, which was announced by the Taoiseach in July 2018, will be modelled on similar initiatives in cities such as Barcelona, Boston, and Rotterdam and will focus on improving links between academia, established enterprises and start-ups.
The initiative is central to the Government’s aim to make Ireland the tech capital of Europe.
An Advisory Group was established to develop and agree a vision for the Grand Canal Innovation District, that includes representatives of business, the universities in Dublin, the local community and the public service.
Recommendations
- The development of the Grand Canal Innovation District with a university innovation campus at its physical centre;
- Establishment of new multi-institutional research centre specialising in technology to tackle the world’s most challenging problems in a cross disciplinary manner;
- Establishment of a large start-up hub with shared infrastructure to allow scientists and companies to progress developments in the area of digital technology and associated applications;
- Establishment of community liaison group to understand how the needs of the local community can best be taken into account;
- Establishment of an innovation hub network that would link Ireland’s leading innovation centres to provide strong regional connectivity; and
- The Advisory Group be reconstituted to oversee the next steps in development of the wider Innovation District.
Speaking about the report, the Taoiseach said;
“This first report from the Advisory Group has lots of good recommendations which must now be acted on; from establishing a new start up hub with shared infrastructure, to the need to work closely with the local community to ensure their needs are met as the area continues to expand."
