Join us Thursday 30th of April, 9am - 2pm in Republic of Work, alongside business experts for a fully funded, one-day workshop to identify real-world supports and practical insights that will assist you to grow your business and achieve measurable results. Register your interest here.

A structured in-person pathway helping SMEs secure the right supports, embed innovation and accelerate purposeful competitiveness and growth

Diagnose. Connect. Evolve.

Pathway to Innovate is Ireland’s national catalyst for ambitious SMEs ready to strengthen resilience, competitiveness and sustainable growth through structured innovation. Designed to help established, growth-oriented SMEs embed innovation at the core of their business strategy, turning ambition into action.

Pathway to Innovate is designed for established SMEs (typically 3+ years operating, €1m+ revenue, 10–50 employees) who are ready to scale with structure and intent.

If your business is ready to diagnose where you are, connect with the right supports and evolve with a clear roadmap for growth, we encourage you to register for this Innovation Clinic.

SPACES ARE LIMITED. Secure your place today.

SMEs engage directly with experienced facilitators, peers and ecosystem partners in a trusted in-person environment. The in-person setting makes agencies more accessible, builds real relationships and creates space for practical conversations and actionable guidance tailored to their specific challenges.

Who from my company should attend?

The clinics are best suited to: CEO, Founder or Co-Founder, Senior leaders responsible for growth, scaling or innovation, Gain clarity, build connections, and walk away with a practical 90-day innovation plan to grow your business. The programme is delivered by: Skillnet Innovation Exchange and IRDG Innovation Skillnet.

Register your interest here.

Republic of Work, in partnership with Skillnet Innovation Exchange, is hosting a hybrid (in-person and online) high-impact 60-minute session focused on AI and cybersecurity, with expert Kamil Mahajan and keynote speaker Mark Bronson.

Designed for business leaders, innovation leads and decision-makers, this practical session will deliver clear, insights into AI risk, cybersecurity readiness and what real-world scale-up looks like in today’s environment.

If you're looking to strengthen your organisation’s approach to emerging technologies while managing risk with confidence, this session will provide the clarity and direction you need.

Also suitable for anyone curious about AI or cybersecurity.

Republic of Work, Wednesday April 15th 10:30am - 12pm.

Agenda:

• Networking breakfast: 10:30am

• Session kicks-off: 11am - 11:50am

• Live Q&A: 11:50am - 12pm

Seats are limited: Register to save your spot.

Connect directly with WakeUp Capital VC during their Office Hours and Fireside chat at Republic of Work on April 9th, 2pm - 7pm.

This is a unique opportunity for founders to meet with Andrew Parish, Partner at WakeUp Capital, for a 1:1 mentoring and feedback session, designed to help early-stage startups get tailored advice on fundraising, scaling, and investment readiness.

Please complete your application for 1:1 Office Hours: Here.
Register for fireside chat and mixer: Here

This workshop is designed for founders who want to build strong foundations, avoid common mistakes, and structure their startup for growth. Gain insights into:

• A Legal, Tax & Investment Workshop Register: Here

• Office Hours with WakeUp Capital also available in afternoon. Please register here.

Hybrid event: join in-person or online.

Networking Breakfast: 10:30am - 11am
Workshop: 11am - 12pm (Hybrid)

Register for the workshop: Here

A 1-day sprint designed to turn ideas from concept to reality. Connect with other passionate entrepreneurs for a day of workshops, startup resources, and access to entrepreneurial mentors to help formulate your idea and explore the potential of creating a globally scalable business.
Applications close March 26th.

Start with simply an idea, build a team, and ask lots of questions. Finish with a diverse and supportive network, validated market research, and a refined problem statement & solution that you can turn into a startup.

Register: https://www.ndrc.ie/startup-sprint

Join us on Thursday, March 26th | 10:00–11:00am for Prepare to Innovate, an introductory webinar designed for organisations considering their next phase of growth through structured innovation.

During this session, Conor Carmody will outline who the Pathway to Innovate programme is designed for and how ambitious SMEs can engage with the upcoming Innovation Clinics.

The team from IRDG will also share how they will deliver the Innovation Clinics, providing practical insight into how organisations will diagnose opportunities, connect with the right supports and evolve their innovation capability.

We will also hear from Maria Cosgrove, who will present Innovation Thinking in Action: Solving Real Challenges & Bringing Ideas to Life — exploring how organisations can turn innovation thinking into real business outcomes.

During the session, we’ll explore:

🔹 What innovation really means in practice
🔹 The mindset required to embed innovation across teams
🔹 Why innovation can sometimes stall — even in ambitious organisations
🔹 The role of disciplined, structured thinking in driving results
🔹 How regional engagement with Pathway to Innovate can support your innovation journey

Register today.

Join the Cork board members for an evening of great conversations and creating valuable connections at our Cork networking evening!

You’ll have the opportunity to mingle with fellow professionals. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, gain industry insights, or simply enjoy a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, this event is the perfect opportunity. We look forward to seeing you there!

This social networking is open to all BITA members and non-members who want to meet with business ‘People Who Know People that Help People’.

There are sponsorship opportunities available for our social networking evenings, if you are interested, please contact eden@bita.ie

Let us know you’re coming: Register here

St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Day at Republic of Work.

Join us for a festive afternoon filled with entertainment for all ages, delicious treats, festive music, and a front-row view of the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

We’re opening our doors to members, families and friends for a relaxed, community-focused celebration at 12 South Mall. Whether you're stopping by for the parade, bringing the kids for some fun activities, or simply calling in for a treat and a chat, we’d love to see you there.

Please complete the form to let us know you’re coming. We can’t wait to celebrate together!

Join us for our February Members night for our Happy Hour!

Enjoy a relaxed evening designed to help you switch off, catch up, and connect with the community. Enjoy great pizza, cold drinks, and easy conversation with fellow founders, teams and members. No pitches, no pressure, just good vibes, familiar faces, and a well-earned midweek break!

Kicks off 4pm in lounger on Feb 27th.

See you there!

Looking to strengthen your brand, sharpen your digital presence, and create content that truly connects with your audience?

Join us for Design X Digital: The Impact Workshop, Thursday Feb 12th 10:30am - 12pm for an interactive session designed to give you practical, actionable insights you can apply straight away. This workshop will explore how strong design and a clear digital strategy work together to drive engagement, improve consistency, and elevate your overall brand presence.

During the session, you’ll learn how to:

• Align your brand and digital strategy for greater impact

• Create consistent, engaging content across platforms

• Understand how design influences user engagement and perception

• Apply practical tools and techniques you can use immediately

Whether you’re building a brand, managing marketing, or refining your digital presence, this session will give you clear takeaways to help you work more effectively and confidently.
WHEN:
Tuesday Feb 12th 10:00AM - 12pm

Where? 
Cork - Republic of Work, 12 S Mall, Centre, Cork, (T12 RD43) (Location)
Also available on Zoom webinar
Register here: Count me in

Join Cork Counselling Services at Republic of Work, on February 10th, from 10am – 11.30am, and help support affordable counselling in our community.

Sip coffee as you enjoy magic from the incredible Gerard Kearney. Your donation will help Cork Counselling Services provide affordable, life-changing counselling to those who need it most.

We’d love to see you there! Please register below and any donation big or small here, is very much appreciated.
Every contribution truly makes a difference.
WHEN:
Tuesday Feb 10th 10:00AM - 11:30am

Where? 
Cork - Republic of Work, 12 S Mall, Centre, Cork, (T12 RD43) (Location)
Register here: Count me in

We’re hosting our Member Mixer this Thursday to celebrate surviving the first month of 2026!

Join us for a relaxed evening of chats, connections, and good vibes. Come along and help us welcome the newest members who’ve joined the community recently.

Whether you’re new, have been with us a while, or a RoW alumni, it’s a great chance to catch up, meet new faces, and kick off the year together.

Hope to see you there! Let us know you’re coming: RSVP

Join us for a two-part event designed to connect ambitious startups with ACT VC, one of Ireland’s leading venture capital firms.

Kick off the afternoon with 1:1 Office Hour sessions and get tailored feedback from Mairead Roche (ACT VC) on your pitch, growth strategy, and investor readiness. There are 6 office hour slots available, Founders interested in taking part must complete this registration form to be considered for selection. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted founders will be invited directly.

From 5:30pm, the event opens up into a Fireside Chat & Mixer. You can expect a relaxed evening of networking, candid conversation, and practical insights from Mairead Roche (ACT VC), Conor Leyden (Trustap), and Patrick O’Regan (Ireland Strategic Investment Fund), with time built in for audience questions and informal chats afterwards. Whether you’re actively fundraising or simply exploring what investors look for, this is your chance to learn, connect, and grow.

👉 Spaces are limited,  sign up now to secure your spot at the mixer!  

(Interested in Office Hours? Don’t forget to complete the separate application form)

Who Is This For?

• Early-stage founders preparing for their first institutional round.

• Scaling startups looking to build relationships with top-tier VCs.

• Curious entrepreneurs who want to understand the VC mindset.

WHEN:
Thursday, 29th January. Fireside chat and mixer kicks off at 5:30pm.

Where? 
Cork - Republic of Work, 12 S Mall, Centre, Cork, (T12 RD43) (Location)

Spots are limited: Register for networking mixer here!

Struggling to close deals? Let's fix that with Dr. Maria Coakley.

In this practical, hands-on workshop learn how to close more deals, handle objections with confidence, and build customer relationships that actually last. Expect real tools, real strategies, and real results – not theory.

Perfect for anyone in sales, business development, or running a startup/SME who wants to boost conversions and sharpen their sales skills. Register here to save your seat!

Get ready for a day of fun and exploring different tools for your 2026 course work on Environmental Data!

Here's what's in store:

• Dream Big: Explore cool project ideas for coursework

• Team Up: Work with students from other schools - it's a collaboration party

• Meet the pros: Hang out with experts from the field.

• Skill Boost: Attend workshops to help you with your project.

• Present: Showcase your amazing project to judges and win some goodie bags. 

During the day, you will collaborate in teams to explore how datasets and sensors can help protect forests, predict risks, and build climate-smart solutions, participate in workshops, receive mentoring, and pitch your innovative ideas to a panel of judges.

We will be joined by Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Minister for Education & Youth.

And the best part? We've got some food to keep your fueled all day. 

Supported by the Local Enterprise Office Galway and The Western Development Commission

WHEN:
Saturday, 17th January from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Where? 
Cork - Republic of Work, 12 S Mall, Centre, Cork, (T12 RD43) (Location)

Spots are limited: Register here!

Kick off your 2026 with the first Republic of Work Monthly Workshop. We’re bringing together Cork’s most ambitious founders and professionals for a morning designed to help you navigate the complex world of Fundraising.

Whether you’re preparing for your first seed round, looking for scaling capital, or simply want to understand how to make your business "investment-ready," this session is for you. With guest speakers Ronan T. Hearne, Venture Scout, Endgame Capital and our Programme Manager, Lavanya Bhandari, they provide clarity and actionable strategy you can use for 2026.

WHEN:
Thursday 15th of January 10:30am - 12pm (Breakfast included)

Where? 
Cork - Republic of Work, 12 S Mall, Centre, Cork, (T12 RD43) (Location)

Spots are limited: Register here

Join us Wednesday December 17th for a live recording of Beyond the Game, The Power of Resilience. Hosted by Paul Cahill and Jonny Holland, from Beyond the Game Podcast, this session dives into what it really means to adapt, recover, and thrive under pressure. With special guest David Gillick, Olympic Sprinter, they will unpack resilience in entrepreneurship, sport, and professional growth, offering takeaways you can apply to your own journey.
Register here to save your spot.