James Doherty – CEO & Founder, Sliabh Liag Distillers

Jane ní Dhulchaointigh - Inventor, Creative Entrepreneur , Board Director for Common Knowledge 

Mary Rodgers - CEO, Galway City Innovation District / PorterShed

Dr. Darren Burke - Co-Founder, FeelTect

Julie Dowling - CEO, AIM Centre

Niamh Costello - CEO, CREW (Creative Enterprise West)

Conor Layden - Commercial Director, Arigna Group

Marie Donnellan, CEO, Platform94

Willie Ruane, CEO, Connacht Rugby

John Magee, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Mayo

Méabh Conaghan, Enterprise Ireland Regional Director for the Northern and Western Region

Kevin Sexton, Head of Alpha Innovation

Paul Conneally, Co-founder & CEO, Slick+

Plug into the West

Established in 1997 and formalized as a statutory body on February 1, 1999, the Western Development Commission (WDC) operates under the Department of Rural and Community Development (DCRD). Governed by the Western Development Commission Act of 1998, the WDC's primary focus is to promote and encourage economic and social development in the Western counties of Ireland, including Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway, and Clare.Achievements and MilestonesIn 2023, the WDC achieved significant milestones, demonstrating its commitment to regional development:Record-breaking Investment: Exceeded €11 million in equity and social finance, supporting start-ups, scaling companies, community and social enterprises, and strategic initiatives.EU Funding Secured: Secured €11 million in EU funding for regional development, targeting priority areas such as the Circular Economy, Creative Economy, niche tourism, and SME innovation and digitization.Workspace Revolution: The expansion of ConnectedHubs.ie, with 336 hubs onboard, has revolutionized workspace solutions for businesses in the region.

Western Development Commission

Join us for a  celebratory evening to connect with the energy, ambition and creativity of  the West and Northwest of Ireland.

London Irish Centre

We’re gathering Londoners with ties to the region to reconnect with home and explore ways to get involved, whether that’s returning, investing, working remotely, or meeting the people leading change locally.You’ll hear directly from entrepreneurs and regional organisations building and scaling businesses across the region, sharing a real view of opportunities, challenges, and growth across tech, creative industries, and startups.Enjoy refreshments, plenty of time to network, and a chance to experience the London Irish Centre’s famous trad music night to finish the evening.

Agenda

Enjoy refreshments and mingle with fellow attendees, business owners, ecosystem leaders and others with ties to the region.

Networking Reception

An introduction to the evening and the growing momentum across the West.

Welcome 

Personal insights and on-the-ground experiences from entrepreneurs building their business in the region.

Founder Stories: Why the West?

A conversation with key regional leaders shaping the infrastructure that supports innovation, careers, and wider life opportunities across the region.

Building the Ecosystem - A conversation with key regional ecosystem leaders.

Contributions from organisations and founders creating impact across the region.

Building from the West: Enterprise & Place

Hear from those growing businesses in the region, together with Enterprise Ireland, IDA, and Local Enterprise Offices, on what’s happening on the ground and what’s ahead.

Scaling from the West: Talent, Growth & Opportunity

Experience the London Irish Centre’s famous trad music night to finish the evening

Live Traditional Music

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Plug into the West

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Plug into the West

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