Tag: #medtech

AI Reshaping Startup Landscape as WeBuild Reopens for Women Founders Across Island

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how tech startups are created, dramatically reducing build time and lowering traditional technical hurdles. 

As building a scalable digital product becomes faster, cheaper and less dependent on deep coding expertise and major funding, more women are seizing the opportunity to lead and build in tech.

In response, applications have reopened for the second cohort of WeBuild, the all-island programme delivered by TechFoundHer empowering women to innovate and to build tech-led solutions. The programme, which supports women founders across the island of Ireland, returns after strong demand for its inaugural intake in January.

Founded in Dublin in 2024 and launched in Belfast the same year, TechFoundHer provides training, community and cross-border networks for women building technology ventures. The first WeBuild cohort attracted more than 90 applications.

Now midway through the programme, participants are developing AI-enabled products aimed at international markets, moving from early concept to validated, revenue-focused ventures within months.

WeBuild is led by InterTradeIreland in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland as part of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, funded by the Government of Ireland through the Shared Island Fund, with TechFoundHer as delivery partner.

The four month programme is designed for ambitious women founders developing innovation-led, tech-enabled businesses with global potential supporting those who are beyond the idea stage and already prototyping, testing or building products where technology is central.

WeBuild combines a 16-week core schedule delivered primarily online with in person labs across the island and an intensive two day Residential Build Lab. 

Founders focus on product development, AI integration, customer traction and funding, using GenAI and no code tools to accelerate validation and iteration. An Investor Readiness Clinic supports participants to refine their pitch and funding strategy and connect with investors across the island.

Women taking part in WeBuild are from across the island from Cork, Dublin and Galway to Belfast and L’Derry with ventures across digital health and medtech, education technology, creative and cultural tech, AI driven B2B platforms and social impact technologies. 

Entrepreneur Deirdre McCarthy, founder of FLIT.ie, is one of the entrepreneurs who took part in the programme.

She said all women in tech with a great idea should: “Please please do yourself a favour and apply for this. It’s a place of safety where you can access really good humans with strong tech brains. You will learn from the other participants, who may be further along in some ways, as well as from the formal education sessions. Extremely accessible and welcoming environment, unique in Ireland.”

According to some participants the programme has been instrumental in accelerating product development, highlighting the strength of the peer network and access to experienced technical mentors.

Gemma Kingston, founder of The Family Edit explained: “The programme has been invaluable in the development of my business and brought it to stages that I could only have dreamed of in such a short space of time. The access to experts is unmatched.”

Programme creator Máirín Murray said the pace of technological change across the ecosystem means founders can no longer afford to wait

“AI and no-code tools are lowering barriers, but access to the right frameworks and expertise remains uneven” she said, adding: “The strength of the first cohort demonstrated the depth of talent that exists across the island. The question is not whether women can build scalable technology ventures, but whether the ecosystem creates the right conditions for them to do so.

“The demand we’ve had for WeBuild reflects a generation of women founders ready to build serious tech companies. What they often lack is early access to technical support that strengthens credibility with investors and the wider ecosystem. 

“That is what WeBuild is designed to provide.”

To support prospective applicants in the application process the TechFoundHer team will be hosting an information session on Wednesday, March 11 at 4pm. The free session will be hosted by Máirín Murray and will provide a detailed overview of the programme, including the support, structure and outcomes founders can expect.

During the webinar, attendees will hear how WeBuild supports founders who want to harness the power of data and GenAI to bootstrap faster, automate smarter and build scalable tech ventures. The session will also include a step by step walkthrough of the application process and an opportunity for participants to ask questions and assess whether the programme is the right next step for their business.

WeBuild is open to women-led or women founded businesses based on the island of Ireland that are developing innovative products, services, systems or processes with clear commercial potential. Applicants must be at an early or growth stage and demonstrate market validation or proof of concept, along with ambition for significant growth including export and investment potential.

Applications for WeBuild are now open and will close on Monday, March 23 at 12pm. 

Women founders can find full programme information and submit applications at intertradeireland.com/entrepreneurship/womens-entrepreneurship/webuild 

How Irish Tech Startups Are Scaling Globally in 2026

Ireland’s startup ecosystem is experiencing its most explosive growth period yet. With over 2,200 tech startups employing approximately 55,000 people and the government committing €1.5 billion from the National Training Fund for digital skills development, 2026 is shaping up to be a breakout year for Irish innovation. From AI-driven fintech to medtech exports, Irish companies are making their mark on the global stage, but success in international markets comes with one persistent challenge: multilingual content localization.

For Irish tech founders preparing to pitch in Paris, launch e-commerce platforms across Europe, or scale SaaS products to Asia, the localization bottleneck remains real. Pitch decks, product pages, investor emails, and technical documentation all need fast, high-quality translations that won’t delay go-to-market timelines or compromise message clarity. And when no one on the team speaks the target language fluently, trust in AI translation output becomes a critical concern.

Ireland’s Tech Boom: The Numbers Behind the Growth

The Irish tech sector’s momentum in 2026 is nothing short of remarkable. The industry now contributes over €48 billion to Ireland’s economy, with AI alone projected to add €250 billion by 2035. Dublin’s “Silicon Docks” hosts tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, but it’s the indigenous startups that are making headlines.

In 2024, Irish tech companies raised €400 million across various sectors, with cybersecurity leading at €101 million, fintech at €75 million, and travel-tech at €61 million. Tines became Ireland’s second unicorn of 2025 after raising $125 million in a Series C round, while companies like Wayflyer achieved unicorn status with a valuation of $1.6 billion.

According to Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list, 20 Irish companies featured among Europe, the Middle East, and Africa’s fastest-growing tech firms, with companies like Wayflyer and Fibrus achieving growth rates exceeding 3,000% over four years. This explosive growth reflects not just local success but global ambition, and that ambition increasingly means navigating multilingual markets.

Why Do Irish Startups Need Multilingual Content Localization?

As Irish companies expand beyond English-speaking markets into France, Germany, Spain, and beyond, they face a fundamental truth: 76% of consumers prefer to buy products with information in their native language. More striking still, nearly 60% of consumers rarely or never purchase from websites available only in English, a trend noted in a Tomedes blog article.

The localization challenge isn’t just about translation, it’s about trust, compliance, and speed to market. A poorly localized pitch deck can cost a Dublin fintech its Paris funding round. A mistranslated product description can damage a Cork e-commerce brand’s reputation in Munich. And for startups racing against well-funded competitors, every day spent on translation delays is a day lost.

The Traditional Translation Bottleneck

Historically, Irish startups expanding to Europe faced several localization pain points:

  • Time constraints: Traditional translation agencies often require weeks for turnaround, delaying product launches and investor meetings
  • Cost barriers: Professional human translation for multiple languages can drain early-stage budgets, with costs reaching thousands of euros per project
  • Quality concerns: While machine translation has improved dramatically, founders worry about accuracy in critical documents like legal contracts, investor materials, and technical specifications
  • Internal expertise gaps: Most Irish startup teams lack native speakers for target languages, making quality assessment difficult

According to research on startup localization challenges, companies that delay localization often face steeper barriers later, it can take nearly two years to retrofit systems built with single-language assumptions.

How Are Irish Startups Overcoming Localization Barriers?

The translation technology landscape has evolved dramatically. The global machine translation market was valued at USD 1.12 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.30%. Neural machine translation now holds nearly 49% market share, thanks to a transformer-based architecture that delivers contextually accurate results.

But raw AI translation alone isn’t enough. Startups need confidence that their translated content is accurate, especially when dealing with high-stakes materials like investor decks, regulatory documents, and product specifications.

This is where consensus-based translation platforms like MachineTranslation.com are changing the game. Their SMART feature represents a breakthrough in translation confidence for non-linguist teams.

What Makes SMART Different?

Unlike traditional approaches that force users to choose between multiple AI translation engines, SMART automatically aggregates outputs from leading translation engines and selects the most agreed-upon translation for each sentence. Think of it as a “wisdom of the crowds” approach to AI translation, when multiple advanced AI systems agree on a translation, confidence in accuracy increases dramatically.

For Irish startups, this means:

  • Faster decision-making: No more manually comparing outputs from Google Translate, DeepL, and Microsoft Translator
  • Higher confidence: When multiple AI engines agree, teams can trust the output without extensive post-editing
  • Reduced review cycles: Non-linguist team members can approve translations faster, accelerating time-to-market
  • Cost efficiency: Less time spent on review means lower localization costs overall

Real-World Use Case: Localizing a Fintech Pitch for French Investors

Consider a Cork-based fintech startup preparing to pitch to venture capital firms in Paris. The founders have built an impressive product, secured early traction in Ireland and the UK, and identified French VCs as their next funding target. But they’re facing a tight timeline, their Series A pitch meeting is in two weeks.

They need to translate:

  • A 20-slide pitch deck with financial projections and market analysis
  • A 10-page executive summary
  • Product demonstration scripts
  • Email correspondence with potential investors

The Old Approach: 

Hire a translation agency, wait 5-7 business days, pay €2,000-3,000 for professional translation, then hope the French investors don’t notice any cultural nuances that feel “off.”

The 2026 Approach with SMART: 

Upload documents to MachineTranslation.com, select English → French AI translation, and let SMART aggregate translations from multiple neural engines. Within hours, the team has high-confidence translations for review. Because SMART surfaces consensus translations, the founders can identify which sections multiple AI engines agree on (high confidence) and which might need human review (lower consensus).

Result: 

The pitch deck is ready in 24 hours, the team saves €2,500, and they have time to rehearse their presentation instead of waiting on translations. More importantly, the SMART-powered translations capture financial terminology accurately because multiple specialized AI engines have validated the output.

Scaling Product Pages Across Six European Languages

For e-commerce startups, the localization challenge multiplies with every market entry. An Irish direct-to-consumer brand launching across Europe might need product descriptions in French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, and Italian—potentially thousands of SKUs across multiple languages.

The E-Commerce Localization Challenge

Traditional approaches force startups to choose between:

  • Speed: Use raw machine translation and risk awkward phrasing that hurts conversion rates
  • Quality: Pay for professional translation and blow the marketing budget before the campaign launches
  • Scale: Pick only 1-2 languages instead of fully localizing for all target markets

This compromise leaves money on the table. Research shows that localized content can increase engagement by up to 2,500%, making proper localization a competitive advantage, not just a nice-to-have.

The SMART Solution for E-Commerce

With over 100,000 language pair combinations available on advanced translation platforms, Irish e-commerce brands can now automate product localization at scale. But automation without confidence creates risk—a mistranslated size chart or ingredient list can trigger customer complaints or regulatory issues.

SMART addresses this by:

  1. Processing high volumes quickly: Translate 1,000 product descriptions across 6 languages in hours, not weeks
  2. Flagging uncertainty: When AI engines disagree significantly on a translation, SMART alerts the team to review that specific content
  3. Maintaining consistency: Glossary management ensures brand terms and product names stay consistent across all languages
  4. Reducing post-editing: Because SMART surfaces consensus translations, human reviewers focus only on edge cases rather than validating every sentence

For a growing e-commerce startup, this means launching in Madrid, Milan, and Munich simultaneously instead of rolling out markets sequentially—compressing internationalization timelines from 18 months to 6 months.

Why Consensus Translation Matters in 2026

The fundamental shift in 2026 is this: AI translation is no longer about choosing the “best” engine. It’s about leveraging multiple AI systems to build confidence through consensus.

The Trust Gap in AI Translation

Despite massive improvements in neural machine translation, non-linguist teams still face a trust gap. When a Dublin SaaS founder reviews a German translation of their product documentation, they’re asking:

  • Is this technically accurate?
  • Does it sound natural to native speakers?
  • Will it damage our brand if we ship this?

Without native German speakers on the team, answering these questions traditionally meant:

  • Hiring expensive consultants for spot-checks
  • Sending translations to freelance reviewers and waiting days
  • Simply hoping the AI got it right and dealing with problems later

SMART fills this gap by making AI consensus visible. When 4 out of 5 leading translation engines agree on how to translate a complex technical sentence, confidence increases. When engines disagree, the system flags that sentence for human review.

Beyond Translation: The Broader Localization Context

While translation quality is critical, it’s just one piece of the localization puzzle. Irish startups expanding globally must also consider:

Cultural adaptation: 

Colors, imagery, and messaging that work in Dublin might not resonate in Tokyo. German B2B buyers expect different proof points than French consumers.

Regulatory compliance: 

GDPR in Europe, data privacy laws in Asia, and advertising standards vary by country. According to industry research, regulatory missteps can lead to fines that threaten early-stage companies.

Payment localization: 

Irish startups using Stripe or other payment processors need to offer local payment methods, iDEAL in the Netherlands, Bancontact in Belgium, SEPA transfers in Germany.

Customer support: 

75% of consumers prefer products available in their native language, and that extends to support channels. Translated FAQs and email templates become essential.

Tools like SMART handle the linguistic foundation, allowing startups to focus resources on these higher-level localization challenges.

How Do Irish Startups Scale Globally Today?

Beyond translation technology, Irish startups benefit from several structural advantages in 2026:

Government Support Infrastructure

  • Enterprise Ireland continues investing heavily in internationalization, with €27.6 million allocated to 157 startups for global expansion support
  • The High Potential Start-Ups (HPSU) programme provides financial incentives and market access support
  • R&D tax credits at 25% encourage continued innovation investment

Strategic Geographic Positioning

Ireland’s location between the US and Europe, combined with its status as the only English-speaking EU member state post-Brexit, makes it an ideal launchpad for European expansion. According to recent insurtech data, 28% of Irish tech firms already report sales into the UK, 15% into Europe, and 14% into the US.

Access to Talent and Capital

The €1.5 billion National Training Fund investment is producing skilled tech talent, while venture capital investment in Ireland surged to $668 million in Q1 2025, up from just $34 million in Q1 2024.

What Types of Content Benefit Most from SMART Translation?

Not all content requires the same translation approach. SMART delivers maximum value for content types where accuracy is critical but full human translation would be cost-prohibitive:

Investor Materials

Pitch decks, executive summaries, and financial projections require precision. A mistranslated revenue projection or market size estimate can undermine investor confidence. SMART’s consensus approach ensures financial terminology and metrics are translated consistently across documents.

Internal Documentation

As Irish startups hire internationally, internal wiki pages, onboarding materials, and process documentation need translation. SMART allows companies to maintain multilingual documentation without dedicated translation budgets.

Legal and Compliance Documents

While final legal contracts should always involve professional legal translators, early drafts, NDA templates, and compliance checklists benefit from high-confidence AI translation. SMART flags legally complex sentences where terminology consensus is low, directing legal review where it matters most.

Product Copy and Marketing Materials

Product descriptions, feature lists, and marketing emails need to be both accurate and persuasive. SMART helps marketing teams localize content quickly while maintaining brand voice consistency through glossary management.

Technical Documentation

API documentation, user guides, and technical specifications contain domain-specific terminology. When multiple AI engines trained on technical corpora agree on translations, development teams can confidently publish localized documentation.

How Does Machine Translation Quality Compare in 2026?

The quality gap between human and machine translation has narrowed dramatically. Neural machine translation models now achieve BLEU scores (a standard quality metric) that approach human parity for common language pairs like English↔French and English↔German.

However, challenges remain for:

  • Low-resource languages: Irish Gaelic, Icelandic, and other smaller languages still benefit from human expertise
  • Creative content: Marketing slogans, brand messaging, and culturally nuanced copy often require transcreation, not just translation
  • Highly regulated content: Pharmaceutical documentation, medical device manuals, and legal contracts still demand human translation and legal review

For the majority of business content, product descriptions, internal communications, investor materials, and technical documentation, AI translation with consensus validation (like SMART) delivers sufficient quality for international operations.

What Challenges Remain for Irish Startups Scaling Globally?

Despite improved translation technology and strong government support, Irish startups still face scaling challenges:

Talent Competition

Dublin’s tech scene faces stiff competition from multinational corporations offering higher salaries. As noted in recent industry analysis, companies like Google, Meta, and Microsoft often poach talent from startups.

Funding Valley

While seed funding is accessible through Enterprise Ireland and local VCs, Series A and B funding remains challenging. Many promising Irish companies stall at the growth stage due to limited growth-focused investment.

Infrastructure Costs

Despite cloud computing reducing hardware expenses, operational costs in Dublin remain high. Startups increasingly establish remote teams or satellite offices in Cork, Galway, and Limerick to manage costs.

Market Understanding

Beyond language, Irish founders must understand local business practices, purchasing behaviors, and competitive dynamics in target markets. A SaaS startup that succeeds in Ireland might need to completely restructure its go-to-market strategy for Germany’s enterprise market.

The Future of Irish Tech Expansion

Looking ahead, several trends will shape how Irish startups scale globally:

AI-First Localization

The AI translation market is projected to reach $4.50 billion by 2033 at a 16.5% CAGR. This growth reflects increasing AI sophistication and startup adoption. Tools like SMART represent the first wave, consensus-based validation. Future iterations will incorporate:

  • Real-time translation for video content and customer support
  • Context-aware translation that understands company-specific terminology
  • Automated cultural adaptation suggestions beyond pure language translation

Hybrid Work and Global Teams

Irish startups increasingly hire globally from day one. A Dublin founder might have developers in Poland, customer success in Spain, and sales in Germany. This necessitates robust multilingual communication infrastructure—not just for customer-facing content but for internal operations.

Regulatory Complexity

As the EU tightens data privacy, AI governance, and digital services regulations, Irish startups must navigate compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Translation of legal documents, privacy policies, and compliance materials will become more critical and more complex.

Vertical-Specific Solutions

Rather than competing as horizontal platforms, successful Irish startups are increasingly focusing on vertical markets, fintech, healthcare, energy management, and cybersecurity. This specialization extends to localization, where domain-specific translation quality matters more than broad language coverage.

Key Takeaways for Irish Founders

As one tech lead at a Dublin-based SaaS startup noted: “Tools like SMART help us scale without a localization team. We don’t just save time—we finally trust what we ship.”

For Irish startups planning international expansion in 2026 and beyond:

Start early: 

Localization isn’t a late-stage problem. Building internationalization into your product architecture from day one prevents costly retrofitting later.

Leverage technology: 

Tools like MachineTranslation.com’s SMART feature deliver professional-grade translation quality without professional-grade costs. Use AI translation for the bulk of content, reserving human expertise for creative and legally critical materials.

Focus on priority markets: 

Don’t try to launch in 10 countries simultaneously. Identify 2-3 key markets, localize thoroughly, learn from initial customers, then expand. Quality localization in fewer markets beats superficial translation in many.

Measure localization ROI: 

Track conversion rates, support ticket volume, and customer acquisition costs by language. Data-driven localization decisions beat gut instinct.

Build partnerships: 

Connect with local advisors, marketing agencies, and customer success managers in target markets. Language translation is necessary but not sufficient, cultural understanding drives success.

The barriers to global expansion for Irish startups have never been lower. With Ireland’s startup ecosystem ranking 9th in Western Europe and 16th globally, strong government support, and AI-powered localization tools, 2026 represents a breakthrough year for Irish tech companies ready to scale beyond English-speaking markets.

As the global machine translation market continues its rapid growth trajectory, and as platforms like MachineTranslation.com evolve their consensus-based approaches, the translation bottleneck that once slowed international expansion is becoming a manageable workflow step rather than a strategic barrier.

For Irish founders, the message is clear: the technology, funding, and market conditions are aligned. The time to scale globally is now, and the localization tools to do it efficiently finally exist.

 

Want to explore how AI is transforming other areas of Irish tech? Check out our coverage of how AI is revolutionizing the financial industry and discover Ireland’s top emerging tech startups in 2025.

Knowles Balanced Armature Drivers Power Status Audio’s New Pro X Premium Earbuds

Knowles Corporation, a leading manufacturer of specialty electronic components, including high performance capacitors, radio frequency (“RF”) filters, advanced medtech microphones, and balanced armature (BA) speakers, today announced that Status Audio has selected Knowles BA drivers for its new Status Pro X true wireless earbuds, featuring a rare triple-driver hybrid configuration with two Knowles BAs and one dynamic driver in each earbud. This distinctive combination delivers crystal clear sound that rivals many other hybrid true wireless stereo (TWS) designs currently in the market.

As consumer expectations for high-definition audio continue to evolve, this collaboration showcases the technical advantages of hybrid driver configurations in premium true wireless products. Status Pro X’s sophisticated acoustic system pairs the precision of Knowles’ miniaturized BAs with the power of a 12mm dynamic driver, resulting in a frequency response that captures both subtle sonic textures and dynamic range that single-driver designs cannot achieve.

The Status Pro X users have the option of selecting an equalizer setting including the Status Signature setting or the Knowles Curve setting, based on the Knowles Preferred Listening Response Curve, a breakthrough in audio engineering based on research that shows listeners across age ranges and hearing abilities prefer expanded treble response beyond 10 kHz for a more satisfying music experience.  By leveraging Knowles BA technology, Status Audio achieves the higher frequencies necessary to produce optimal audio performance and unlock intricate musical details while preserving the natural tonal balance audiophiles demand.

“Our BAs represent the pinnacle of miniaturized audio engineering,” said Jon Kiachian, President of MedTech and Specialty Audio at Knowles Corporation. “The collaboration with Status Audio exemplifies how our BA drivers can help innovative brands deliver truly exceptional audio experiences in remarkably compact form factors. The Status Pro X showcases exactly what becomes possible when cutting-edge driver technology meets thoughtful product design—an audio experience that reveals all the nuances and details of music that conventional earbuds simply cannot reproduce.”

Knowles BA drivers enable unprecedented sound performance for their size, allowing Status Audio to create an earbud that is 21 percent smaller than its previous model without compromising sound quality,  frequency range, or battery life. The high sensitivity of Knowles BAs also facilitates improved hearing personalization while maximizing power efficiency.

“When designing the Pro X, we needed a technology partner that could help us deliver on our promise of uncompromising audio quality in a more compact form,” said James Bertuzzi, Status Audio CEO.  “Knowles BA drivers were the clear choice, allowing us to achieve frequency response and detail that  would be impossible with conventional dynamic drivers alone. The combination results in a listening experience that truly differentiates the Pro X in today’s crowded earbud market.”

The Status Pro X earbuds are available for pre-order now, with shipping beginning early September. For more information on Knowles BAs, visit www.knowles.com/premiumsound. To learn more about Status Pro X, visit the Status Audio website.

Check out the huge range of our earbud reviews

Why Stryker Sees Talent as the Foundation of Innovation

In today’s MedTech landscape, where technological breakthroughs are redefining what’s possible in-patient care, it’s easy to focus solely on the machines, data, and devices driving that change. Mag O’Keeffe, Vice President of Global Additive Technologies at Stryker explains more

But behind every innovation – whether it’s a surgical robot, a smart implant, or a predictive algorithm – are the people who imagine, build, and continuously improve them. It’s this human engine of progress that often determines whether innovation scales, sustains, and ultimately succeeds.

At a time when competition for talent is intensifying and industries face increasing disruption, how we develop, support, and continuously upskill our people is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it is a defining strategy.

Ireland’s MedTech leadership has always been grounded in talent, but today, the challenge is evolving. This demands a shift in how we think about talent. It’s no longer enough to hire for existing roles. Instead, it is vital to build adaptable and diverse workforces capable of evolving with new tools, technologies, and expectations.

Diverse pathways into MedTech

Creating a future-ready workforce starts with opening up multiple, accessible routes into the sector – regardless of someone’s background, education, or starting point. Not everyone follows a traditional path into a career, which is why flexibility and inclusivity in attracting and developing talent are so important.

Apprenticeship models are a powerful example. They offer individuals – including school leavers, career changers, and those re-entering the workforce – the opportunity to gain formal qualifications while contributing directly to real-world projects. At Stryker, we’ve seen apprentices progress into engineering, operations, and leadership roles. This is proof that talent can emerge from many directions when given the right support and structure.

Our programme enables participants to pursue degrees in manufacturing engineering while rotating between academic study and on-site learning. It’s not just about gaining a qualification—it’s about reshaping career trajectories and unlocking potential that might otherwise go untapped.

Equally important are graduate entry pathways, which bring fresh energy and new perspectives into the organisation. Each year, we welcome graduates from a range of disciplines to our nine sites across the island of Ireland. Stryker’s graduate programme rotates participants across engineering, finance, and other core functions, giving them exposure to the breadth of the business. It’s not just an onboarding tool—it’s a way to build a pipeline of future leaders who bring curiosity, adaptability, and cross-functional collaboration to their roles.

Together, these pathways – whether through apprenticeships, graduate programmes, or internal mobility – reflect a broader commitment to inclusive growth. By creating multiple entry points into MedTech, including for those coming straight from school or those seeking a new direction mid-career, organisations can tap into a wider talent pool, foster diversity of thought, and build teams that are equipped to lead the future of healthcare.

A learning culture

Offering training and upskilling opportunities is one thing; embedding a culture of continuous learning is another. That means creating systems, time, and initiatives that make development part of the everyday.

Our Training Centre of Excellence in Tullagreen, developed in partnership with IDA Ireland, has been designed to make upskilling a key aspect of transformation.

The three-year training initiative, developed with the support of IDA Ireland, will equip employees at Stryker’s Tullagreen facility with the agility and skills for the future of work, promote innovative thinking, and embed a culture of continuous improvement, and advance sustainability.

But it also reflects something more fundamental: when people feel supported to grow, they stay engaged, motivated, and committed.

That support extends beyond formal programmes. Every employee in Stryker Ireland has access to a LinkedIn Learning licence, providing on-demand access to a wide range of training and development resources. It’s one more way we ensure that learning is not just encouraged—but embedded into how we work, lead, and grow.

Growing talent through opportunity

One of the most pressing challenges for business leaders today is retention. Employees, particularly early career professionals, are seeking to find a workplace that nurture their strengths, provide opportunities to grow and are driven by purpose.

At Stryker, our purpose lies in making innovative products and solutions that make healthcare better for more than 150m patients annually across the globe. It is what drives our employees each day and encourages them to come up with new ideas and find creative solutions to complex medical and surgical problems.

But retention isn’t only about formal programmes. It’s also about creating cultures where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to explore new directions. Our education assistance scheme, for example, has enabled hundreds of employees to pursue new career opportunities, many of them in fields they may never have imagined accessing before.

People powering innovation

The success of any MedTech organisation depends not only on the technologies it develops, but on the people who bring those innovations to life. At Stryker, the commitment to developing talent – through apprenticeships, graduate programmes, continuous learning, and leadership development – isn’t just a cultural value. It’s a business strategy.

These initiatives have helped build and invest in a workforce that is skilled, diverse, and passionate about achieving our mission of making healthcare better. They’ve driven innovation, improved retention, and strengthened our ability to adapt in a fast-changing industry.

But more than that, this investment is creating opportunities for employees – opening doors for individuals to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact.

Heart Attack Documentary Showcases Ireland’s MedTech Strengths

‘Counter Attack’, the ninth documentary from the CÚRAM Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices and Ardán’s Science on Screen public engagement programme, premiered at the Lighthouse Cinema in Dublin this week.

Medical device research thrives on a multi-disciplinary approach where combining knowledge from many fields deepens our understanding of global health conditions. Cardiovascular disease, one of leading causes of death globally, was the subject of ‘Counter Attack’, the new Science on Screen documentary directed by Tiernan

Williams and produced by Maria O’Neill of Cluster Fox Films.

The documentary features CÚRAM’s University of Galway-based researchers, including vascular surgeon Dr Niamh Hynes, who focusses on the body’s largest artery – the aorta. Her research looks at predicting if, and when an aortic rupture will happen and, using AI and machine learning, how we can build computer models or ‘digital twins’ of aortas to understand the rupture process.

Also featured is Kildare-based musician Frankie Lane, who suffered a heart attack followed by a cardiac arrest, Frankie’s wife Anita Lane and Cork-based paramedic, Pat McCarthy. The screening was followed by a panel discussion and an audience Q&A chaired by Dr Claire O’Connell.

Professor Abhay Pandit, founding director of CÚRAM, spoke about cardiovascular disease research, explaining that while it can take a long time for research to reach the patient, innovations are being created all the time. He gave the example of an injectable hydrogel that he is working on that will in the future help preserve the health of the heart muscle after a heart attack event.

Frankie and Anita Lane spoke about the emotional impact of their experience while paramedic Pat McCarthy shared statistics about survival rates for out of hospital cardiac arrests and the importance of understanding that there are many different signs and symptoms.

“At CÚRAM, our goal is to develop superior devices that are durable. We achieve this by uniting experts from diverse fields, including clinicians like myself, engineers, biomedical scientists, and social scientists, all while keeping the patient at the heart of our team” commented Dr Niamh Hynes.

“We cannot grasp what is most important or urgent without their perspective. Conversations like these are crucial not only for raising awareness and prevention but also for helping people recognise how valuable their lived experiences with these conditions are to the research community.”

Watch the ‘Counter Attack’ trailer at Counter Attack – Trailer on Vimeo

2025 marks the 10th year of CÚRAM & Ardán’s Science on Screen programme, which was founded to explore the stories behind science and to facilitate, promote and increase the inclusion of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) content in Irish film and TV production.

Over the last ten years the films and animations produced through Science on Screen have been screened in 30 different countries and reached almost 2 million people through broadcasts, film festivals, through community, academic and clinical screenings and via online platforms and public exhibits. If you are interested in hosting a screening please contact CÚRAM or Ardán for more information.

Find out more at www.ardan.ie and www.curamdevices.ie.

ABLIC to Participate in “Medtec Japan”

“ABLIC” will be exhibiting at “Medtec Japan,” which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight (Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo) from April 9 to April 11, 2025.

“Medtec Japan” is an event where suppliers in the medical device industry and researchers and developers from domestic and international medical device manufacturers gather to discuss medical device design and manufacturing. This year marks the 16th edition of the event.

At this year’s Medtec, ABLIC will showcase its enhanced ultrasound imaging technology, strengthened by the acquisition of Soxionext’s medical-related business in December 2024.

Our exhibit will feature high-end ICs for ultrasound imaging equipment, renowned for their exceptional reliability and superior image quality. Additionally, ABLIC will introduce the newly integrated “viewphii series”, which enables the realization of a wireless ultrasound probe with just two types and three units of LSI. This includes a live demonstration of a PMDA-certified model. The handheld ultrasound “viewphii series” is a one-of-a-kind system solution offering miniaturization, lightweight design, low power consumption, advanced functionality, and high image quality. ABLIC is accelerating its development efforts to further evolve this groundbreaking technology. Through our ultrasound technology, we aim to contribute to the expanding ultrasound market with innovative and high-value products.

Furthermore, this exhibition will also feature ABLIC’s ultra-low power consumption technology, including a demonstration of our proprietary “CLEAN-Boost” technology-powered Battery-less water-leak sensor, alongside a live showcase of Wireless Power Transfer.

 

 

[Event Overview]
●Name of the Event：Medtec Japan
● Duration: April 9 (Wed) – April 11 (Fri), 2025, 10:00-17:00
● Venue: Tokyo Big Sight, East Exhibition Hall
● Organizer: Informa Markets Japan Co., Ltd. (Medtec Japan Secretariat)
● ABLIC Booth Location: East Hall 2, Booth No.: 2808
● Official Website: https://medtecjapan.com/
● Admission: Free (Pre-registration required) *For details, please check the official website above.


[Exhibition Contents]
●Transmitter IC and High-voltage switch for high-end ultrasound systems
●Handheld ultrasound “viewphii 64 series” （Hands-on demonstration）
●Battery-less water leakage sensor (Hands-on demonstration)
●Wireless Power Transfer (Hand-on demonstration)

Janssen to adopt Johnson & Johnson brand in Ireland

Johnson & Johnson today announced its pharmaceutical business segment will adopt the Johnson & Johnson brand name in Ireland. Janssen, its pharmaceutical segment, will become Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, and the medical technology segment will continue to be named Johnson & Johnson MedTech.

The announcement marks the next era for Johnson & Johnson in Ireland, which is leveraging its expertise in innovative medicine and medical technology to prevent and treat complex diseases and introduce solutions that are smarter, less invasive, and more personalised.

Johnson & Johnson has a long heritage in Ireland since 1935, and a large footprint with a workforce of more than 6,000 people. Its Irish operations which comprise both the Innovative Medicine and MedTech segments, make a significant contribution to the company’s global success with ten sites located in five counties (Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Galway and Mayo) spanning research and development, manufacturing, shared services and country commercial businesses.

These changes are part of a global rollout of the new Johnson & Johnson brand that was announced in September 2023.  The updated brand will be applied to all company materials, product packaging, and branding assets over time.

The new Johnson & Johnson brand identity builds on the Company’s legacy, while also modernising key elements to showcase healthcare innovation in a way that is inclusive and demonstrates the Company’s ability to tackle the world’s toughest health challenges.

Mr. Dana Daneshvari, VP Manufacturing & General Manager, Large Molecule Manufacturing, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Ringaskiddy, said; “While the name and logo of the pharmaceutical segment of our business is changing, our goal remains the same. We innovate with purpose to lead where medicine is going.

As we look to the future, we will continue to build on our legacy of innovation, delivering transformational medicines that improve patient outcomes and make a lasting impact on healthcare in Ireland.”

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine applies rigorous science with compassion to confidently address the most complex diseases in the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, cardiopulmonary and specialty ophthalmology to develop the potential medicines of tomorrow.

There will be no change to the company names and/or legal status of our Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine or MedTech companies in Ireland.  The Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine companies are Janssen Sciences Ireland UC and Janssen Pharmaceutical Sciences UC.

MedTech moulding trends to watch

MedTech is a multi-billion-dollar manufacturing sector. Unsurprisingly, industry analysts are always keen to pinpoint the newest transformational medical and life science technologies that are expected to shape future treatment pathways. 

Regional Medical Director of the Global Sumitomo (SHI) Demag team Andrew Sargisson shares his industry insight and global predictions for the medical market, touching upon how these latest trends are influencing investments in medical injection moulding facilities worldwide. 

Thermoplastic and LSR moulding continues to be used extensively to manufacture a huge variety of everyday medical applications. The range is broad and can include implantable components, test tubes, petri dishes, PCR tubes, pipette tips and other labware, as well as medical monitoring devices, drug delivery components and surgical equipment.

In 2023, the global medical injection moulding market size was estimated at USD 22.54 billion. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030. Much of this growth is being driven by advances in self diagnostics, the home healthcare sector, improved healthcare infrastructures in emerging economies, and an aging population, which WHO predicts will double by 2050.

The medical market, particularly diagnostics, was strongly influenced by the Coronavirus pandemic. As anticipated, there has been a natural levelling-off for pandemic-related consumables.

More recently, there is a stronger leaning in the medical market towards larger strategic and more complex projects, such as drug delivery devices and pen style injectors. This is predominantly due to the global growth in diabetes care, where demand for advanced glucose monitoring and insulin delivery devices is propelling innovation. Testament to demand, credible industry reports forecast that the diabetes device market will surpass USD 68.2 billion by 2032, almost triple its 2022 value. 

With regard to machinery, there is a strong move towards “copy & paste” systems and processes in both Europe and North America. The global medical team at Sumitomo (SHI) Demag, led by business development director Anatol Sattel, are also noting more requests for remote system access to historical machine data. This is predominantly to assist with troubleshooting and monitoring validated process settings.

To support these efforts, the company’s R&D team continues to develop an IoT dashboard to facilitate data analysis and visualisation, transfer and storage of know-how, as well as maintenance planning and prediction. Within this assistance system, additional autonomous and interconnected functions are being conceived to provide valuable insight into the machine performance and different production variables.  

The development of process optimisation systems, integrating material and knowledge with simulation tools is probably the most exciting development on the horizon, claims Sargisson. Such systems will enable processors to observe advanced settings and capture deeper processing insights. 

The company’s ultimate vision is an intelligent machine that can independently make predictions about part quality, machine wear and failures and deliver optimisations online. Enabling greater process consistency and allowing for real-time machine maintenance to be adjusted accordingly. 

To support these advances and in order to meet the explicit quality management and validation ISO 13485 standards for medical devices,  Sumitomo (SHI) Demag introduced new machine user parameters, digital quality control and KPI analytics into its IntElect S medical production package. One of these advanced Med-Spec demo cells is now located in Limerick, Ireland. This will enable customers to perform validations, run tool trials and use the facility to provide valuable process optimisation training to technicians.

Also observed during the pandemic, larger scale adoption of home healthcare and smart diagnostic devices, continues to accelerate at pace. 

With significant access to start-up finding, telehealth is the boom-market to watch. It is current exhibiting a CAGR of 19.7% between now and 2030. Online video and audio consultations with physicians and medical consultants are increasingly being used to deliver quality healthcare while simultaneously reducing heavy work and cost burdens. The telehealth segment is split between services and products. Items such as wearable patient monitoring and telecommunication devices accounts for around one third of the market.

For medical moulders already producing vital monitoring devices, including oxygen, weight, glucose and ECG devices, as well as infusion pumps and cannulas etc. and already meeting the exacting healthcare standards, the transition to homecare device production should be relatively seamless.  

High profile acquisitions of diagnostics companies, IPO listings, strategic partnerships, and the rise of virtual care platforms provide further assurance that the diagnostics market is on the cusp of another huge growth curve. This all indicates that there are clearly exciting opportunities ahead for moulders operating in the high tech medical device and diagnostics product development and production space.    

In 2024, Sumitomo (SHI) Demag will host its inaugural productivity roadshow. With four stopovers planned for July in the UK and Ireland, including Limerick, customers will be invited to explore all the latest trends, productivity and profit-enhancing technologies. Including medical. Watch this space!

Expleo opens Galway innovation hub, announces €5M investment and 70 new jobs

Expleo, a global technology, engineering and consulting service provider, today announces the opening of a Galway innovation hub and a €5M investment in the expansion of its life sciences and engineering research & development (ERD) teams, which will be headquartered there. The Galway base will be critical to bolstering Expleo’s presence in other key industries, including software and automotive. It is part of a wider plan to establish a network of regional hubs to support the company’s rapid growth across the island of Ireland.

The new hub, located in the Galway Technology Centre, Mervue, is forecast to have a significant impact on Expleo’s growing revenues in Ireland, supported by the expansion of its life sciences and ERD teams. By year-end 2024, the company will invest €5M in 70 jobs across the two teams. Team members will work across Expleo’s client sites and its network of offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Belfast. On top of the 200 jobs announced in June last year, these latest jobs will see Expleo grow its island-wide team of over 1,000 by the end of 2024.

Expleo’s life sciences practice in Ireland specialises in product development for the MedTech and pharma while ensuring compliance and helping the sector meet regulatory needs. Meanwhile, the ERD team drives innovative thinking and new ways of working to simplify, enhance and automate key business processes. The jobs created will be in the areas of mechanical, electrical and digital engineering, as well as business consulting and software development and testing.

The new Galway office represents a long-term commitment from Expleo to both current and future customers located in Galway and the surrounding areas. Teams located there, and those working in client sites located in the West of Ireland, will be carrying out work on behalf of international clients who are based in Ireland. The hub will provide flexibility for Expleo staff located in the West, while giving Expleo access to a larger talent pool to support its rapid growth.

The opening of the Galway hub follows Expleo’s announcement last year that it was establishing a network of regional office hubs. The first hub in Mahon, Co. Cork, opened in June 2022.

All team members in the new hub, a mixture of current employees and new hires, will be offered the same flexible working arrangements as those in Expleo’s Dublin, Cork and Belfast offices, allowing them to split their time between working from home and working from the hub office or client sites.

Phil Codd, Managing Director, Expleo Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our regional expansion plans with the opening of our Galway hub. As Expleo continues to go from strength to strength on the island of Ireland, these hubs will provide us with the talent and momentum we need to deliver on our ambitious growth plans.

“Along with our investment in regional expansion, we are also making significant investments in our life sciences and engineering, research & development teams. As a global company, we bring experience and expertise from many disciplines and areas to support the growing demand in Ireland’s pharmaceutical and medical device design and manufacturing sector.

“Our new hub in Galway will provide cutting-edge services to businesses operating in the life sciences, software and automotive industries, helping them to innovate at speed and scale. Galway’s economy is thriving, and we are excited to be a part of it while also contributing to its growth.”