Taoiseach launches partnership in Cork between Skillnet and Republic of Work
Taoiseach Micheál Martin with Skillnet Ireland's chief executive Mark Jordan, Skillnet head of partnerships Sinead O'Riordan; Skillnet director Conor Carmody and Republic of Work CEO Frank Brennan at the launch of the new partnership.
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin has announced a new partnership between Skillnet Innovation Exchange and the Republic of Work to further bolster Cork as a centre for innovation, technology, and business excellence.
Speaking at the event, the Taoiseach said, “The Government is committed to supporting Irish companies throughout the digital transformation. I’m delighted to launch this expansion of Skillnet Innovation Exchange in Cork, along with their partnership with Republic of Work. This welcome initiative connects our homegrown SMEs with larger companies so they can collaborate and work together on exciting, innovative projects.”
The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin
Mark Jordan, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, said, “I’d like to thank the Taoiseach for joining us here today. Skillnet Ireland collaborates with industry partners to create national initiatives like Skillnet Innovation Exchange, which in turn provide supports for Irish businesses, specifically in this case, in the digital and tech sector. Skillnet Ireland supported more than 3,500 businesses in Cork through upskilling programmes last year through a few of our 70 Skillnet Business Networks, and with this new partnership with the Republic of Work, we hope to not just continue, but grow those supports for businesses across Munster to forge a pipeline of talent with the strategic skills to make deals, create corporate growth, and prosper.”
Mark Jordan, Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive
Skillnet Innovation Exchange is Ireland’s innovation marketplace, connecting large companies facing digital transformation challenges, with technology solution providers that can fast-track their solutions. This partnership reinforces the mission of Republic of Work to further establish Cork City as a centre of innovation, technology and business excellence. The partnership will allow globally ambitious solution providers within the Southern region to pitch to, and engage with, large companies seeking innovative solutions.
Conor Carmody, Programme Director, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, said: “Over the past year, the Skillnet Innovation Exchange’s regional expansion across Ireland has provided numerous SMEs with a unique opportunity to collaborate with large corporates, helping to bridge the innovation gap and strengthen Ireland’s business ecosystem. With today’s announcement, we are excited to extend this initiative with the Republic of Work. Innovation is an increasingly important focus, and we are committed to driving initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable and successful future for Ireland.”
Frank Brennan, CEO, Republic of Work, said, "Over the past number of years, the Skillnet Innovation Exchange’s regional expansion across Ireland has provided SMEs with a unique opportunity to collaborate with bigger companies, helping to bridge the innovation gap and strengthen Ireland’s commercial ecosystem. Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, Republic of Work serves as a thriving community for almost 200 companies and is already a cornerstone of the Southeast's business ecosystem. We are excited to partner with Skillnet Innovation Exchange, which has proven itself to be an agile and ambitious organisation bringing practical business support to companies through its unique model. We look forward to driving initiatives that will contribute to greater business competitiveness throughout Cork and the southern region.”
Frank Brennan, CEO, Republic of Work
The Skillnet Innovation Exchange has more than 1,300 scaling solution providers members of the marketplace for innovation, demonstrating a significant appetite for the initiative. Since its formation, the national initiative has responded to numerous innovation challenges from companies such as InterSport, Elverys, Horse Sport Ireland, Ryanair, Glanbia and many more.
Since 2022, Skillnet Innovation Exchange has successfully partnered with regional hubs throughout the country, such as The Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen Cork, Platform 94 in Galway, The Mill, Drogheda, the RDI Hub in Kerry, and GreenTech HQ in Enniscorthy. The nationwide expansion of the initiative offers solution providers access to a wide range of benefits, including a sales pipeline, upskilling, and market insights, as well as collaboration opportunities with large corporations.
Scale-ups and corporates in the region are being encouraged by Skillnet Innovation Exchange to sign up at www.theinnovationexchange.ie.
About Skillnet Innovation Exchange
Skillnet Innovation Exchange is where businesses facing digital transformation challenges are connected with innovative solutions providers with the talent to help them achieve their ambitions. Large corporations get access to Ireland’s most talented solutions providers, and to collaborate to accelerate digital transformation. Scaling technology companies get an instant sales pipeline as well as access to key decision makers, market intelligence and the capability to sell to large corporates. The Skillnet Innovation Exchange is operated by Furthr (formerly Dublin BIC), which specialises in providing start-ups and scale-ups access to funding via its venture capital arm; and Skillnet Ireland, a business support agency of the Government of Ireland with a mandate to advance the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led workforce development.
About Republic of Work
Republic of Work is a leading innovation hub and coworking space in the heart of Cork City. Designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, it serves as a thriving community for over 170 companies and more than 360 members, making it a cornerstone of the Southeast’s business ecosystem. Founded with the support of visionary leaders like Voxpro founders Dan and Linda Kiely and shipping entrepreneur Dave Ronayne, Republic of Work is dedicated to fostering collaboration, creativity, and growth. It provides a dynamic environment where individuals and teams can work, connect, and innovate, contributing to the success of startups, SMEs, and established businesses. Our network reaches both nationally and internationally through our diverse membership base and partners like SOSV, Grant Thornton, VHI, Future Planet, Nespresso, VTSL Cloud Communication, Brown & Brown to name a few.
About Skillnet Ireland
Skillnet Ireland is the national talent development agency of the Government of Ireland, responsible for advancing the competitiveness, productivity, and innovation of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. Skillnet Ireland partners with 57 industry bodies, supporting over 26,000 businesses and more than 97,000 trainees annually, through its 70 Skillnet Business Networks and five National Initiatives – Skillnet Climate Ready Academy, Skillnet Innovation Exchange, Skillnet MMC Accelerate, Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy and MentorsWork – across most sectors and all regions in Ireland. Skillnet Ireland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
