Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD has placed a ceremonial stone marking the building of the new extension at Galway Technology Centre (GTC).

The project, which is being comprehensively facilitated by Enterprise Ireland, will see an additional 15,500 square feet added to the centre, bringing the total area to 65,500 square feet. The extension will also see the number of floors in GTC grow from two to four.

It is estimated that the enhanced centre will facilitate the creation of a cumulative total of 12,500 jobs over the next 15 years, along with estimated investment of €1.4bn.

According to GTC, the development highlights the flourishing of scaling enterprises in the west of Ireland and the increased demand for space to facilitate their growth in the region.

Facilitating rapid scaling for startups

When the work is complete, there will be a particular emphasis on facilitating rapid scaling for startups and other innovation driven enterprises in GTC, as well as ICT businesses in need of second sites.

The enhanced facility will also include further conferencing and meeting space, state-of-the-art IT infrastructure as well as other digital amenities such as a video production and broadcasting suite.

The extension project is being delivered by Monami Construction and project managed by MKO Planning and Environmental Consultants.

Galway Technology Centre is a social enterprise which is jointly owned by Galway Chamber and WestBIC. It became the first technology innovation centre in Ireland when it first opened in 1994, following the closure of Digital Equipment Corporation’s Galway facility.

In response to the closure of Digital, which at the time was Galway’s largest employer, a special government task force was established who invited Galway Chamber, WestBIC and An Forbairt to realise their vision of an indigenous ICT cluster in the west of Ireland. This led to the formation of GTC.

Growing needs of ICT companies

Since the mid-1990s, the footprint of GTC has been regularly extended to address the growing needs of ICT companies in the region. Over that time it has housed more than 300 companies who have created in excess of 3,000 jobs.

Currently there are 41 companies in GTC with over 325 people employed directly on site and thousands more in the other satellite offices of these enterprises located in Ireland and abroad.

Some of the notable companies who have called GTC home over the years include Storm Technology, Blue Tree Systems, Aptarus, Hemdahl, SL Controls, Siren, PlanNet 21, Ex Ordo, Action Point, SourceDogg, Buymedia, Chipright, Triggerfish, 9th Impact, Electronic Arts, SAP, Wayfair and more.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said: “Since its inception, Galway Technology Centre has played a central role in enabling the growth of scaling enterprises across the west of Ireland. It has provided numerous startups and high potential businesses with the space and support they needed in order to flourish and prosper.

"The centre has come a long way from its first opening in the mid-1990s, when there were eight units filled by seven start-up companies. In the years since they have developed alongside the enterprises they have supported, providing greater space and resources as the need for their service has grown.

"Galway Technology Centre’s new extension, supported by the government through Enterprise Ireland, will see their positive contribution to scaling companies in the west extend even further, enabling both their impact and the centre itself to reach new heights.” 

Martin’s remarks were echoed by GTC CEO, Oliver Daniels who said: “Galway Technology Centre has been rooted in supporting the development of scaling enterprises in the west of Ireland since its inception.

"That was our founding principle and it will continue to be the driving mission behind our centre. We exist to enable the growth of scaling ICT businesses and high potential startups. Our purpose is to meet their needs. That is why this project represents a lot more than just an extension.

"It highlights how scaling enterprises in Galway and the west are flourishing and the increased demand for space to facilitate that growth. Through this extension Galway Technology Centre will be able to assist even more thriving companies, bringing more dynamic enterprises to our centre as well as further nurturing those who already call GTC home.” 

Carol Gibbons, divisional manager and head of regions and local enterprise at Enterprise Ireland said: “A key focus for Enterprise Ireland is fostering regional entrepreneurship and job creation and we are proud to have supported this expansion project through the Regional Enterprise Development Fund.

"For almost 30 years, Galway Technology Centre has played an important role in supporting the scaling of technology enterprises in Galway and across the west region.

"Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with GTC in their efforts to aid these dynamic businesses and we have seen first-hand how they have grown in line with the enterprise needs of the region. We wish the entire team at GTC every continued success in this new chapter and look forward to seeing even more start-ups and scaling companies benefit from the top-class business environment provided by the centre for many years to come.”