Minister opens Galway enterprise and innovation hub
Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dara Calleary officially opened the CREW Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub on 5 April, marking a significant milestone for creative entrepreneurs and innovators in the west of Ireland.
Funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment through Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF) initiative, CREW represents the first innovation hub in the West dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurs in the creative industries. With more than €3.2 million in funding, this initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering innovation and economic growth in the region’s creative industries sector.
The CREW Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub is poised to become the epicentre for createch entrepreneurship, providing a dynamic environment for startups to innovate, collaborate, and grow. Equipped with collaborative workspaces, podcast studio, meeting rooms, and boardroom, CREW offers a comprehensive suite of amenities tailored to the needs of creative entrepreneurs.
CREW CEO Niamh Costello said: “We are thrilled to officially open CREW, providing opportunities for entrepreneurs in the creative industries to start, innovate, and grow. Through community, educational opportunities, and access to mentors, advisors, and investors via our partners, CREW is fostering a dynamic environment for the development and acceleration of its members. We are grateful for the support of Enterprise Ireland, who have been pivotal partners and funders of CREW.”
“Today is an important day for Galway which further enhances the West of Ireland’s reputation for creativity coupled with innovation,” said Minister Calleary. “In Ireland, the creative industries account for 8.9% of national employment, the second highest in Europe as a proportion of overall employment and this will continue to grow as createch and the the convergence of art, design, and technology is opening new possibilities for businesses and contributing to economic growth.”
The CREW Creative Enterprise and Innovation Hub is a collaborative effort between Atlantic Technological University (ATU), the Western Development Commission (WDC), and Ardán, highlighting the power of partnerships in driving economic development and fostering innovation.
Dr. Orla Flynn, President of Atlantic Technological Universitysaid:. “The CREW project aligns perfectly with developments in ATU’s creative programmes in film & documentary, design, animation & game design, and creative media. ATU recognises the potential of these industries and is delighted to see the emergence of the CREW facility as a supportive environment for startups, enabling them to thrive and contribute to the growth and dynamism of the sector. The CREW facility also represents an exciting opportunity for graduates, entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and corporate teams to innovate and develop new approaches to growing the creative industries in the region”.
CREW is also supported by Community Finance Ireland and sponsors, Siro Vodafone, TG4, Local Enterprise Office Galway and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
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