From Platform 94 (formerly GTC) leading a delegation to Manchester and Liverpool to forge new Trade links to the UK to a Women’s Health talk and Clinic in our Wellness Hub to Platform 94 member companies continuing to expand – we had another very exciting month here.
Platform 94 was delighted to lead a delegation of businesses from the West of Ireland to Liverpool & Manchester last week along with ATU Innovation Hubs, Galway Chamber, PorterShed, and CREW. The purpose of this exciting trip was to establish new connections and build on existing relationships to identify new trade links and markets.
The delegation visited Daresbury Laboratory & Sci-Tech Daresbury, Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, LYVA Labs, Sciontec Developments Limited, Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) IN4 Group, Baltic Creative CIC, and Women of Irish Heritage.
The benefits of collaboration between Chambers and Innovation spaces, including the sharing of knowledge and resources, and the promotion of mutual growth were discussed.
In a very busy month, The Innovation Exchange hosted three events, two training masterclasses, one seminar with the IDA, and one corporate challenge with Intersport Elverys. Our innovation marketplace is growing rapidly, and we’re delighted to see new members joining daily. If interested in hearing more, please email noreen@theinnovationexchange.ie.
On Tuesday 28th March, The Innovation Exchange held its first corporate challenge with a West of Ireland Corporate, Intersport Elverys. We were joined by Ger Flanagan and Mark Newcome from Intersport Elverys as they set out the latest challenge for our members. Ger shared the 6 core sustainability pillars that Elverys wish to achieve as an organization. This challenge sought solutions under Pillar 4 Rental, Resale, and Repair as well as Pillar 3 Product Takeback.
There were great insights from all our speakers on seizing opportunities around the latest tech, the value of the right talent, and creating opportunities at the first Innovation Exchange Live event with over 200 attendees.
In case you couldn’t make the session or if you would like to watch it back you can find the full recording here.
Congrats to one of our clients Brenda Dooley CEO of AXIS Healthcare Consulting who was nominated for IMAGE Media PwC CEO of the year category with the awards ceremony to be held Friday 14th April.
Best of luck to Brenda and the other Galway nominee Mary Rodgers CEO Portershed on also being nominated – may the best lady win.
Axis were also Proud Platinum Sponsor at the return of the highly anticipated The Pharmaceutical Managers Institute 2023 Pharma Summit. At the summit, AXIS Founder & CEO, Brenda Dooley will also chair an important panel discussion on “Creating Optimal Stakeholder Partnerships”.
There was a significant job announcement from Platform 94 member Alliance Strategies with 15 new jobs announced. Alliance Strategies is the umbrella entity that strategically and tactically serves the Alliance Abroad global footprint as a leading facilitator of global cultural exchange programs, today announced plans to hire 15 employees in Galway, Ireland over the next 5 years. The company headquartered in Texas currently has 8 worldwide offices and an extensive network of partners to facilitate meaningful cultural exchanges. The hub in Galway will lead the company’s strategy in the areas of global marketing, finance, and corporate support. On making the announcement minister Simon Coveney TD said ““I warmly welcome IDA’s announcement today that 5 new companies will be coming to our shores, creating 100 new jobs. The positions will be spread across a range of sectors and indeed cities, demonstrating Ireland’s position as an excellent strategic choice for global business, both in terms of our geographic location and our wealth of diverse and highly skilled talent. I wish all involved the very best in their respective new ventures.”
We also marked been Women’s Health awareness month in our wellness hub with Sinead Bradbury, Sinead covered key topics for women such as iron deficiencies and the symptoms to look out for as well as the key foods & supplements to include in the diet to support a healthy body & mind.
Platform 94 were also delighted to attend and support a “Celebration of Gaeltacht women in Business “hosted by Údarás na Gaeltachta and Atlantic Technological University, an event to celebrate all female entrepreneurs who have started businesses or are based or working in the Gaeltacht and a general event celebrating female entrepreneurship.
Ag Ceiliúradh Cumasú Fiontraithe Mná na Gaeltachta, Mna na HEireann.
Platform 94 and some of our members attended the Intertrade Ireland VC Conference in Croke Park on March 9th. We gained insights into approaching a VC, learnt the importance of building a team of A Players, learnt about alternative funding opportunities as well as emerging trends in Tech. We also heard about the power of resilience and creativity from founders. One of the key recurring themes from VC’s is that they invest in People, People and People.
And of course, we had some Easter fun to kick of Easter celebrations with our members at GTC with members from Chipright, Luzern , Maverick , Flynn O’Driscoll & Planet 21 joining us for a coffee & some chocolate.
