The cross-border pilot programme is designed to help start-ups and SMEs expand between Ireland and the UK.

Republic of Work, a co-working space and innovation hub in Cork city, has announced a partnership with CodeBase, a Scotland-based tech start-up growth platform.

The alliance is intended to launch Celtic Link, a cross-border pilot programme designed to help start-ups and SMEs expand between Ireland and the UK. 

Through Cork and Republic of Work, the Celtic Link partnership provides a direct pathway into the UK market with access to Techscaler, which is available through CodeBase and is one of the UK’s largest start-up support programmes and funded by the Scottish government. 

The initiative aims to open doors for new investors, workspaces, networks, mentors and programmes while also creating a fast, accessible corridor for talent, collaboration and innovation between the two regions.

Commenting on the announcement, Frank Brennan, the CEO of Republic of Work, said, “The Celtic Link is about creating a low-cost, high-impact corridor for our founders. By partnering with CodeBase and the Techscaler network, we are giving Cork start-ups a home in Edinburgh and providing Scottish firms with a clear, supported path into the EU single market through Cork.”

Helen Tate, the head of strategic partnerships at CodeBase, added, “Our partnership with Republic of Work gives Scottish founders access to an internationally recognised network in Ireland as they look to expand into the wider EU market. We’re excited to welcome founders from Cork and support them in establishing a pathway into the UK market through Scotland.”

The Cork ecosystem currently features a number of organisations actively recruiting for new roles. Financial risk and performance management solutions provider to the banking industry Empyrean Solutions recently announced plans to launch a new R&D project in Cork and the creation of 40 new job opportunities.

Cork Airport Business Park will host the European headquarters of Evumed, a biopharmaceutical company that has committed to a multimillion-euro investment, in a move that will see the creation of 30 new jobs.

Data management and cloud data platform provider Qumulo officially launched its new European software R&D hub in Cork in March and the expansion will create 50 new jobs in the area over the next three years.

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.