Galway Technology Centre
About this good practice
Galway Technology Centre (GTC) is a major part of National and Regional policy in the West Region of Ireland of investing in hard incubation & innovation infrastructure and the necessary collaborative services to support the anchoring and clustering of Knowledge-based Start-Ups. In this way, it is consistent with the `one-stop shop` system as a managed service with in house business innovation expertise provided by the accredited EU-BIC for the Region along with specialist services on-site such as Finance, IP, Legal and Tax.
Led by Galway Chamber of Commerce and WestBIC, GTC emerged following the collapse of major IT business – Digital Equipment Corporation in 1993 that employed 1,200 staff at its peak. This challenge also led to opportunities for those who used the knowledge and experience they gained at Digital to launch their own successful ICT and knowledge businesses.
From a regional and national policy perspective, the modern 50,000sq ft. centre was supported by the National Community Enterprise Centre Support Scheme through previous Regional Operational programmes.
As part of the Regional eco-system, it has evolved to become the HQ of ICT Start-Up activity and the `go-to` resource for emerging ICT and knowledge businesses. It is supported through the National Action Plan for Jobs and is a component of National FDI Policy of attracting FDI companies who want to `soft land` in the EU by basing themselves in the Irish Market through the GTC model to establish and grow.
Resources needed
Private sector support required plus accredited Innovation partner– in this case WestBIC the EU-BIC for the region
€5m capital costs (1999) – 50,000 sq ft. renovation of existing building/space
Annual capital investment commitment: €100,000
Annual personnel/admin costs: c.€150,000, with 3 staff
Evidence of success
Since 1994, GTC has supported 150 enterprises creating 2500 high-value ICT jobs in the region. Currently, 42 start-ups /growth companies employing 250 employees. Key to this outstanding success has been the collaborative effort of Stakeholders, allowing GTC to operate as a seamless one-stop-shop which is a major differentiator and is very ‘pro-start-up’, whilst investing annually in latest hardware, connectivity and systems, providing rapid and low-cost entry for new start-ups/growth enterprise
Potential for learning or transfer
The successful GTC model has transfer potential to other regions. Key elements for success are:
High collaboration levels between Public and Private sectors and stakeholders – In this case Galway Chamber provides Private Sector Support and WestBIC provides the best practice in Incubation Systems and company support. Additionally, several other supporters are involved in the consortium and through delivery of specific enterprise supports, training etc., including Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office and HP Enterprises.
The effective and seamless one-stop shop system that is “pro-enterprise”.
Ensuring the Support Systems are of an Internationally Accredited/Global Standard, with a flexible, advanced, technology offering
Mixed usage allowing graduation from desk incubation to small and bigger units with flexible cost plans.
Model has been successfully adapted to conditions in other parts of Ireland and other EU, European and MENA countries including Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
WestBIC