Tag: innovators

Global tech innovators selected for Isle of Man Innovation Challenge

Health and social care systems around the world are evolving rapidly, facing increasing demand, workforce pressures and more complex patient needs. The Isle of Man is no different, and like many places, it is looking for practical, adoptable solutions that can make a genuine difference to the people and communities it serves.

The Isle of Man is taking a proactive approach, creating a unique environment where new ideas can be tested, refined and delivered in real-world settings.

What sets the Island apart is its ability to move quickly. Its scale, integrated systems, and close collaboration between government, clinicians, regulators and industry create a genuinely distinctive environment for developing and applying innovation.

This is the foundation of the Innovation Challenge, now in its fourth year, and this year’s programme has attracted its strongest response to date.

Sixteen global innovators have been selected from 125 entries submitted across 25 countries, following a record 467 registrations. Each finalist was assessed by frontline health and care professionals for their potential to address genuine system needs.

The Challenge is led by Digital Isle of Man and the Department for Enterprise, and delivered in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, Manx Care and Public Health Isle of Man.

The finalists are developing solutions spanning AI-powered clinical tools, digital platforms, preventative health technologies and community-based care models, reflecting both the scale of the challenge and the opportunity to deliver meaningful impact.

The high calibre and diversity of this year’s cohort reflects the strength of innovation emerging globally to support the future of health and care.

Over the next ten weeks, finalists will take part in an intensive contextualisation programme, working in collaboration with healthcare stakeholders to refine and adapt their solutions through workshops, expert input and real-world Island insight.

They will receive tailored one-to-one mentoring from clinicians and care providers, alongside support from the Island’s tech and business community, with opportunities to connect with local organisations as they develop their solutions ahead of the Finale Day in June.

The programme will culminate in a live Finale Day on 25 June 2026, where finalists will present their solutions to a panel of expert judges, industry leaders and healthcare professionals.

Awards will be presented across three core themes: Working Smarter, Wellness and Home First, alongside a dedicated Biosphere Award.

The Biosphere Award recognises the solution that best reflects the Isle of Man’s status as the world’s first whole-nation UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, celebrating innovation that supports a sustainable balance between environment, community and economic development. It reflects an approach to innovation which is grounded in the Island’s values, and distinctively ‘Manx’.

The Isle of Man’s unique position, combining an integrated healthcare system, agile regulation and close collaboration across the public and private sectors, continues to make it an attractive destination for innovators looking to test and scale solutions in a real-world environment.

Claire Christian MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care, said:

‘The calibre of this year’s finalists is exceptionally high and underlines the Isle of Man’s growing position as a centre for health innovation.

‘Through the Innovation Challenge, we are taking a proactive and practical leadership role in bringing together government, clinicians and global innovators to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our health and social care system.

‘By testing these solutions in a real-world environment, we are ensuring that innovation is translated into meaningful impact, both for our Island and beyond.

‘I look forward to seeing the breadth of ideas and talent showcased by this year’s cohort at the Finale Day and the impact they will go on to deliver.’

Lyle Wraxall, Chief Executive of Digital Isle of Man, said:

‘This year’s response has been exceptional, not just in volume, but in the quality and ambition of ideas coming forward.

‘We’re seeing a global recognition that health and social care systems need to evolve rapidly, and that innovation must be grounded in real-world application.

‘The Innovation Challenge provides a unique platform to do exactly that, bringing together innovators and system leaders to co-create solutions that can genuinely improve lives.’

More information: http://www.innovationiom.com

Smart D8 Opens Doors to Health and Wellbeing Innovators for Sixth Consecutive Year

Smart D8, Dublin’s first smart district dedicated to addressing community health and wellbeing needs and located in the heart of Dublin 8, has officially launched its sixth open call for pilot projects.

Since October 2020, the Smart D8 partnership has connected innovators with citizen expertise through enterprise, healthcare, academia, government and other areas of the public sector, collectively aiming to address health and wellbeing challenges identified by the local D8 community.

Now entering its sixth year, this year’s call focuses on innovative pilot projects across three key themes:

  • Nutrition
  • Social Connectedness
  • Workplace Wellbeing

Up to three pilot projects will each receive up to €10,000 in funding, but crucially will be supported to validate their innovation with real users. Those selected will have the opportunity to trial new and emerging innovations for illness prevention with a general population to measure and evaluate their population health impacts – demonstrating their potential to positively impact people’s lives locally, nationally and internationally.

Since its inception, Smart D8 has established strong community connections through outreach with residents, businesses, schools, local organisations and networks to understand health and wellbeing priority areas and needs. Engaging with service providers, innovators and entrepreneurs to trial and test new products, services and ideas, the partnership works to matchmake innovative content and technologies with community networks and demonstrate their impacts on population health to scale.

Operating through funded pilot calls and partnerships, the Smart D8 testbed supports access to local knowledge and expertise and facilitates the development of innovative approaches that can enhance health and wellbeing with and in the local community.

Through the combined effort of pilot projects, local workshop initiatives and established engagement with existing community networks, Smart D8 has reached over 21,500 citizens living and working in Dublin 8, over 45% of the 45,000-strong population.

Smart D8 is led by The Digital Hub, Dublin City Council, St James’s Hospital and Smart Dublin. They are joined by Tyndall National Institute, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, National College of Art & Design, the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Health Innovation Hub Ireland and the HSE in this unique collaborative initiative.

Applications will close on Thursday, 26th March at 11pm. For more information on Smart D8 and to find out how to apply for the latest round of pilot projects, please visit https://smartd8.ie.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, said:

“I am proud to see our city continue to lead with purpose, placing community wellbeing, innovation and sustainability at the centre of how we shape Dublin’s future. Smart D8 represents the very best of civic collaboration, bringing together innovators, researchers, public services and citizens to test ideas that improve everyday life. By grounding innovation in evidence and in lived experience, it is building a model for healthier communities that can be scaled across our capital and beyond. I strongly encourage innovators with bold, practical and evidence-led ideas to step forward and partner with us. Together, we can demonstrate how place-based collaboration delivers real change for Dublin 8 and sets a standard for cities everywhere.”

Speaking on the opening of pilot applications, Smart D8 Ecosystem Manager, Jack Lehane, said:

“As Smart D8 moves into its sixth year, we take great pride in the scale of engagement so far, and are especially motivated by the opportunities that lie ahead. In 2026, we will continue to build on this momentum by focusing on themes that have the greatest potential to identify and validate population health solutions, including nutrition, social connectedness and workplace wellbeing.

The partnership provides changemakers with a chance to connect their innovations with citizens in real-world community settings, and demonstrate their ability to scale to wider populations. We strongly encourage organisations from any sector that have population-scale innovations in these areas to apply, and look forward to seeing more projects deliver measurable impacts and outcomes across the Dublin 8 community and beyond in the year ahead.”

Ana Coughlan, Smart D8 Community Coordinator, added:

“At Smart D8, our mission is to improve community health and wellbeing through meaningful collaboration and innovation, while amplifying the efforts of those already committed to making a difference in people’s lives. We have built a strong network of community-centred initiatives that involve residents, workers and students to support healthier lifestyles, and this year’s themes are chosen based on this outreach. We will continue to expand our impact by welcoming pilot proposals that focus on innovative approaches to illness prevention, helping to create a stronger, healthier and more connected Dublin 8.”

Dublin Tech Week Returns: 22–29 May 2026

Dublin Tech Week returns from 22–29 May 2026, bringing together innovators, creators, and communities for a week-long programme of events across the city. Now in its second year, it aims to once again highlight Dublin’s position as a leading global hub for technology, talent, and ideas and grow on the success of its first year.

Over seven days, Dublin can expect to host a diverse schedule that spans conferences, exhibitions, workshops, networking events, and creative experiences. From world-class industry discussions to hands-on activities for the public, Dublin Tech Week offers something for everyone interested in the role technology plays in shaping our future.

This city-wide initiative aims to:

● Showcase Dublin’s innovation ecosystem to both local and international audiences

● Encourage collaboration between tech companies, educational institutions, and community organisation

● Promote STEM engagement with younger generations and underrepresented groups

● Connect the public with the latest developments in technology, culture, and sustainability

Get Involved

Organisations, venues, and community groups are invited to contribute to the programme by hosting tech-related events or experiences during the week. Dublin Tech Week encourages participation from across the tech spectrum—startups, established companies, educators, and creative industries—ensuring the festival reflects the breadth and diversity of Dublin’s tech scene.

A full schedule of events will be published on DublinTechWeek.com in the coming months. To propose an event or find out more about how to get involved, email info@dublintechweek.com.

“Following the success of Dublin’s first Tech Week in 2025, Dublin City Council and the Dublin Brand are proud to support its return in 2026. Dublin Tech Week celebrates our world-class talent, innovation, and collaborative spirit, cementing our City as a leading global tech hub.” said Ross Curley, Head of Economic Development, Dublin City Council & Dublin Regional Place Brand

Programme Highlights

The 2026 line-up aims to include

● Industry Summits & Specialist Seminars

● Open House Events at Tech Companies

● Innovation & Product Showcases

● Hackathons and Developer Challenges

● Networking and Meet-up Opportunities

● Crossovers Between Technology, Art, and Culture

● Family Tech activities

● Showcase of County -wide tech based initiatives

Partners

Dublin Tech Week is supported by key organisations in the Irish tech community, including Dublin City Council, Smart Dublin, LEO, Dublin Tech Summit, Tech Ireland, ADAPT Centre, NovaUCD, Blockchain Ireland, Eth Dublin, Guinness Enterprise Centre, Furthr, and Dublin Chamber.

EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final 2024: New start-ups enter the European innovation scene

The EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final event is an annual culmination of a pre-acceleration programme that supports European innovators and entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into market-ready start-ups. It focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and developing start-ups scene in Central-Eastern and Southern Europe.
This year the Grand Final will be part of the bigger EIT Community conference “The next decade of innovation for the future of Europe”, which celebrates the 10th anniversary of the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (EIT RIS). This is a key initiative under Horizon Europe aimed at reducing regional disparities in innovation across Europe. The EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final will include a dynamic live pitching session, followed by an awards ceremony to celebrate the top start-ups in each category.
The conference is free of charge, upon registration only.

48 New Start-ups Poised to Enter the Innovation Scene

This year’s EIT Jumpstarter Grand Final will take place in Budapest on November 28th, showcasing 48 start-ups. The top six from each of the eight categories — Food, Health, Manufacturing, Raw Materials, Energy, Urban Mobility, New European Bauhaus, and Rebuild Ukraine — will be awarded up to €10,000. These categories align with the EIT Community’s mission to bring innovative solutions to global challenges. Additionally, in recognition of the EIT’s strong presence in the Western Balkans, the competition will feature a special prize for a high-potential start-up from the region. In total the best teams will receive almost €150,000.
“The pipeline of start-ups established in non-Western countries through programmes like EIT Jumpstarter is growing every year, and many ventures from previous editions have now reached multimillion valuations. This is particularly important for regions in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe, where the start-ups create new jobs, bring new skills and stimulate entrepreneurship in the region,” says Marta Kaczmarek, leading the EIT Community Strategic Regional Innovations Cluster, coordinating such activities as the EIT Jumpstarter Programme.
“Considering that every euro invested in the programme generates 30 euros in external funding for newly built start-ups, EIT Jumpstarter truly serves as a springboard for talented founders,” adds Marta Kaczmarek.

EIT Jumpstarter in Numbers

Since 2017, the programme has trained 1,180 participants, leading to the establishment of 124 new start-ups and contributing to the creation of 2,100 new jobs in the countries, which are considered emerging and moderate innovators, according to the European Innovation Scoreboard. These start-ups collectively attracted €150 million in external investment up until now. EIT Jumpstarter is open to more than 22 countries and regions and is led by EIT Health in collaboration with EIT Food, EIT InnoEnergy, EIT Manufacturing, EIT RawMaterials, EIT Urban Mobility.
Throughout the seven-month programme, participants identify and validate the best business model for their science-based innovative ideas. Participants learn how to refine their concept, conduct market segmentation, develop a strong customer value proposition, manage financials, understand investment and legal basics, and more. Graduates of the programme possess the skills and knowledge to launch their companies. As part of the alumni community, they receive further support, including various financial options, and dedicated advice from the EIT Communities regarding the next stage of their start-up journey.

KPMG launches the Ireland qualifier for the KPMG Global Tech Innovator competition.

KPMG in Ireland has launched a search for Ireland’s next top tech innovator. The competition, now in its second year, is open to Irish tech entrepreneurs and start-ups businesses which are pure technology, tech-enabled, tech-led, or tech-driven.

Competition entrants will be shortlisted and invited to pitch their innovations and present their growth ambitions to an esteemed panel of judges. The judges, which will include successful entrepreneurs and investors, will be announced shortly.

The overall winner in Ireland will progress to the Global Tech Innovator final to be held during Web Summit 2022 in Lisbon in November. The prize also includes travel and accommodation to Lisbon, tickets to Web Summit as part of KPMG’s delegation, an exhibition stand for 1 day, and access to exclusive networking events and mentoring opportunities.

Last year, KPMG’s Ireland competition was won by CattleEye, a Belfast-founded company which has harnessed the capabilities of advanced AI in video analytics to deliver the world’s first academically verified autonomous livestock monitoring platform. Other Irish companies shortlisted in the 2021 competition included ApisProtect, CitySwift, Dataships, Equal1, ID-Pal, Singularity Alpha and Wrkit.

The competition is open to all technology companies which have operated for 5 years or less, have generated revenue between USD $1-10m (or have raised at least $500,000 in equity) and are registered and based in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Applicants must have innovative, proven technologies, robust business models, the ability to demonstrate traction in their activities and the potential to scale up. Applications must be submitted by 8th May 2022.

The global competition will include technology innovators from 21 other countries and jurisdictions across the world, including Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Israel, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Taiwan, the UK and the US.

Commenting on the competition, Anna Scally, Partner, Head of Technology & Media and Fintech Lead, said: “Following the huge success of our inaugural competition last year, we’re back on the hunt for the next ‘big thing’ in tech. We have a thriving tech ecosystem here in Ireland and we’re looking to find emerging tech start-ups, with potential to be Ireland’s next unicorns. If your company is tech-enabled, tech-led or tech-driven, this is really an opportunity not be missed.”

Applications are now open for the competition at www.kpmg.ie/GTI.