Increase in number of client companies and activity at ATU iHub Mayo during 2024
by Maria Staunton
Another year has come to an end in the Innovation Hub (iHub) at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Mayo, the start-up facility built in 2006 to help start-ups develop and grow internationally, providing space and support services.
The iHub runs the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Programme in Mayo and the Údarás na Gaeltachta EMPOWER Cumasú Programme.
This is a female entrepreneurship programme run in conjunction with Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork and offered to female founders living in the Gaeltacht regions in Ireland across seven counties, Galway, Mayo, Donegal, Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Meath.
The past year has been a busy one for many companies who have been with iHub Mayo such as Cytidel, which participated on the Enterprise Ireland's New Frontiers programme in Mayo and has been a client of the centre for the last number of years.
This year they announced they have raised €1.35 million in seed funding, which was led by Elkstone Ventures with participation from Enterprise Ireland. Cytidel was crowned Startup of the Year at the National Startup Awards in November 2024.
Elasan Solutions, who participated in the EMPOWER Programme, provide digital transformation services to clients across both Ireland and the UK.
In 2024 Elasan Solutions became an official Irish partner of Quickbase Inc., a global leader in low-code application platforms.
By integrating the digital solutions platforms, Elasan Solutions enables construction companies to eliminate manual, paper-based processes and replace them with real-time solutions, including mobile forms, customisable workflows, and advanced data analysis.
Buymedia, another company who were based at the iHub at the start of their journey and were a participant on New Frontiers programme, had a great year of taking home awards.
They were runners-up in the InterCeltic Scaling Awards, Digital Media Awards (best innovation) and Technology Ireland (IBEC) Best Innovation winners.
In November they won two more awards - the national AI Awards ‘Best use of AI in an SME’ and they were the fourth Fastest Growing Tech company in Ireland in the Deloitte Fast 50 and the Galway Chamber Awards Excellence in Innovation Awards.
Mark Birrane, owner of NutriJellies (a former participant of New Frontiers), exhibited at the National Ploughing Championships in 2024 with 224,000 people in attendance.
Natural Power officially opened its 13th global office at the Mayo iHub.
This provides them with a good landing space and a chance to position itself in Ireland’s burgeoning green energy sector.
The west of Ireland is known for its abundant natural resources along with some of the strongest onshore wind speeds in Europe.
The new office location provides direct access to these resources and proximity to key renewable energy developments.
Horizon, who were based in the iHub for over four years, transitioned out and are now based in Castlebar. The purpose of the iHub is to grow start-ups and they then transition to the wider area of Mayo.
Horizon, led by Lisa O' Connor, now employ a team of engineers and technical experts supporting major capital expenditure projects for global companies in pharma and manufacturing.
The management in the iHub also gets involved in lots of events in Mayo and were highly involved in Mayo Ideas Month which took place in October. Mayo Ideas Month is a collaborative venture between the State oganisations in Mayo.
One big event that took place was Digital West 2024 with speakers including Graham Baitson, Brian Hanly from Brightbeam (currently based at iHub Mayo) and Muireann Fitzmaurice.
Other informative speakers included Muslim Jameel Syed, based at ATU, Yvonne Comer (former EMPOWER and New Frontiers participant), and local entrepreneur Alan Heaney with his company Lely.
The Mayo iHub also attended the Mayo Business Awards run by the Chambers of Commerce in Mayo and also celebrated in the Local Enterprise Office’s ten year anniversary.
Another five new start-ups joined the iHub in September on phase two of New Frontiers.
The EMPOWER Cumasú Programme has a total of 37 women currently participating on that programme. Comhghairdeachas also to Joyce Country Bakery and Kombucha Na Dálaigh who won awards at this year's Blas na hEireann Irish Food Awards 2024.
In 2024, the number of new businesses in Ireland increased by 7% compared to the previous year.
We have seen lots of new innovative start ups this year and those that have transitioned experienced good growth prospects and picked up lots of awards nationally.
Programmes such as New Frontiers and the EMPOWER Cumasú Programme allow individuals to come and chat through their ideas to see if there are opportunities in the marketplace for such businesses.
Anyone interested in starting a business or looking for space should contact us in the new year on ihubmayo.galwaymayo@atu.ie for more information.