Tag: NovaUCD

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.

Second AI Accelerator Programme for Start-Ups Opens for Applications at University College Dublin

NovaUCD has announced that it is seeking applications from Irish-based start-ups to participate in its 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme.

The focus of this accelerator programme, which is now in its second year, is to support entrepreneurs who are developing disruptive AI solutions in sectors including, healthcare, cybersecurity, education, sustainability, finance, content creation, supply chain and customer service, for a global market.

The 6-month AI Ecosystem Accelerator, which begins in April, will be delivered by NovaUCD, the hub of innovation and start-up activities at University College Dublin (UCD), in partnership with CeADAR, Ireland’s Centre for AI.

Targeted supports for programme participants include guidance from CeADAR’s AI experts, and experienced commercial mentors, along with workshops on value proposition, scaling and investor readiness. Participants will also have access to collaborative co-working space at NovaUCD with the opportunity to connect with successful AI entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporates, investors and access to skilled interns.

Applications are open for the programme via https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/aiecosystem/.

Among the eleven (11) start-ups which completed the inaugural programme were, Customs Window Technologies, a RegTech start-up co-founded by Brian Murphy and Johnny Dunne, and Wrksense, an AI-driven HR tech start-up transforming high-volume recruitment co-founded by Andrew Connolly and Ruaidhrí McDonnell.

Customs Window Technologies and Wrksense announced funding of €800k and €825k respectively during the 2024 programme.

Andrew Connolly, CEO and co-founder, Wrksense, said, “Following the completion of the inaugural AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme, and the insights learnt, we now target a more niche market, targeting companies that align with our overall strategy and product vision. I’d strongly recommend the AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme to entrepreneurs who wish to advance their AI start-ups through the programme’s excellent dedicated technical and commercial supports.”

The AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme is funded through the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) framework, a Europe-wide initiative with funding of €700 million from both the European Commission and the Governments of member states.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, through Enterprise Ireland, is leading on the EDIH programme for Ireland and CeADAR is the European Digital Innovation Hub in AI for Ireland.

Michelle Doyle, Senior Manager, Strategic Innovation Partnerships, NovaUCD, said, “Following the successful completion of our inaugural AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme, delivered in collaboration with our colleagues at CeADAR, we are delighted to launch our second programme. We are now seeking applications from Irish-based start-ups with novel AI-based products or services, with a validated minimum viable product or proof of concept, and seeking investment this year, to join our next programme and be part of our ecosystem of successful entrepreneurs.”

Dr Ricardo Simon Carbajo, Director of Innovation and Development, CeADAR, said, “The AI Ecosystem Accelerator is one of the key services of CeADAR’s European Digital Innovation Hub programme. Run in partnership with NovaUCD the programme will provide entrepreneurs who are leveraging the power of AI with the required support, knowledge and network to accelerate their start-ups from ideation to investment stage.

We encourage entrepreneurs to find out the benefits of accelerating their venture with us and the range of other funded services for companies as part of CeADAR’s EDIH in AI programme.”

Applications are now open until 21 February 2025 for the second AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme via https://www.ucd.ie/innovation/aiecosystem/.

The 2025 AI Ecosystem Accelerator Programme will commence in April and will end with a showcase event in October.