Ireland’s innovation ecosystem is built on collaboration. For businesses navigating digital transformation, access to the right expertise, facilities and funding is critical. Two key supports available to Irish companies are the Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Network and Ireland’s network of European Digital Innovation Hubs Network (EDIHs).
While these networks operate at national and European levels respectively, their combined offering provides a powerful, complementary pathway for companies looking to innovate, adopt new technologies and bring solutions to market.
Supporting Industry Through Applied Research
The Technology Gateway Network plays a central role in connecting industry with applied research expertise. With 17 Gateways located across five Technological Universities and DKIT, the network provides businesses with direct access to specialist facilities and experienced research teams.
Companies engage with the Gateways to solve real-world challenges, whether that involves product development, prototyping, testing or validation. With expertise spanning a range of sectors including engineering, IoT, food, energy, materials, design and advanced manufacturing, the Gateways support businesses at every stage of the innovation journey.
Each year, the network works with companies, helping to reduce development risk, accelerate R&D timelines and enhance competitiveness. The focus is always on delivering practical, commercially relevant solutions that meet industry needs.
Enabling Digital Transformation Through EDIHs
Complementing this applied research capability are Ireland’s European Digital Innovation Hubs: CeADAR, Data2Sustain, ENTIRE and FactoryXChange.
EDIHs act as “first-stop shops” for digitalisation, supporting SMEs and Public Sector Organisations (PSOs) to adopt advanced technologies and improve operational performance. Their services include:
- Digital maturity assessments
- Test-before-invest opportunities
- Training and skills development
- Ecosystem building and networking
- Support to access funding and investment
By lowering barriers to entry, the EDIHs enable companies to explore technologies such as AI, data analytics, IoT and automation in a low-risk and structured way.
A Complementary and Flexible Approach to Innovation
While the Technology Gateway Network and the EDIHs are distinct initiatives, their collaboration is deliberate, complementary and highly flexible.
A company can begin its journey with either network. For example:
- Businesses exploring digitalisation may start with an EDIH to assess their digital maturity
- Companies with a specific technical or product challenge may engage directly with a Technology Gateway
From that point, both networks work together to guide the company towards the most appropriate supports.
1. From Discovery to Delivery
EDIHs typically begin with a broad digital maturity assessment and discovery process, helping companies identify gaps, opportunities and potential pathways. This early-stage engagement can be flexible and iterative, allowing companies to explore options before committing to larger projects.
Technology Gateways complement this by undertaking technical scoping and applied research planning, shaping how solutions can be developed and implemented.
Through test-before-invest services, companies can trial technologies and evaluate feasibility. Once validated, Technology Gateways support the next phase through prototyping, development, testing and refinement.
This creates a seamless pathway from exploration to implementation.
2. Scaling and Funding Pathways
One of the key strengths of this collaboration is the ability to scale projects over time.
Engagements may begin with EDIH services such as feasibility studies or use-case design, before progressing into:
- Enterprise Ireland Innovation Vouchers
- Innovation Partnerships
- Feasibility funding
- Larger-scale R&D and innovation funding
Both networks guide companies through these funding pathways, ensuring the right supports are aligned to business needs.
3. Multi-Service and Ecosystem Support
EDIHs bring an additional layer of value through their multi-partner structure and national reach. They can integrate services such as AI, cybersecurity, user experience and data analytics into projects, complementing Gateway expertise.
They also provide access to business and ecosystem supports, including investment readiness and commercialisation guidance through partners such as regional and national innovation agencies.
This ensures companies benefit not only from technical development, but also from broader business support and ecosystem connections.
4. Not a One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Importantly, collaboration between Technology Gateways and EDIHs is not generic.
Each Gateway has its own areas of expertise, industry focus and approach to working with EDIHs. Similarly, each EDIH brings different capabilities, partners and sectoral strengths.
This means every company engagement is tailored, whether that involves:
- A Gateway-led innovation project supported by EDIH services
- An EDIH-led discovery process leading into Gateway R&D
- Or a fully integrated, multi-service collaboration
This flexibility ensures companies receive the most relevant and effective support for their specific challenges.
Delivering Real Impact for Industry
Across Ireland, this collaborative model is delivering real impact. Companies are supported at every stage of their innovation journey from early digital exploration through to product development and commercialisation.
Together, the Technology Gateway Network and EDIHs create a complete innovation pipeline, enabling companies to move from idea to implementation with confidence.
Learn More: Accelerate Your Digital Transformation
This collaborative approach will be showcased at the upcoming ‘Accelerate Your Digital Transformation’ event, delivered by the Applied IoT Cluster in partnership with the European Digital Innovation Hubs Network.
The event will highlight how Technology Gateways within the Applied IoT Cluster including; WiSAR Technology Gateway, Nimbus Technology Gateway, and ICS Technology Gateway are working in collaboration with EDIHs such as Data2Sustain and ENTIRE.
Through real client case studies, attendees will see how companies are successfully combining EDIH services with Technology Gateway expertise to progress from initial digital discovery through to applied R&D and implementation.
If your organisation is exploring digitalisation, innovation or R&D collaboration, this event will provide a clear understanding of how these supports can work together to deliver results.
Read more and register here
The Technology Gateway Network and European Digital Innovation Hubs are here to support your business at every stage of its digital journey. By combining applied research expertise with digital innovation supports, they provide a powerful, connected approach to helping Irish companies grow, innovate and compete on a global stage.
