The west of Ireland is fast becoming a globally recognised hub of technological activity and achievement.

“Galway punches well above its weight as a tech hub,” explained Siobhán Dervan, a director of engineering at Rent the Runway, Galway. “A vibrant, diverse ecosystem, anchored by big tech names like HPE, Cisco and Genesys, creates the kind of collaborative energy that attracts further investment and talent.”

Home to numerous indigenous and multinational organisations, the west of Ireland – particularly Galway – has built a sturdy reputation as an attractive region for scaling and growing companies with a focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Dervan said: “The PorterShed and Platform94 nurture so many start-ups and scale-ups in Galway, including ourselves at Rent The Runway back in 2019 and the University of Galway and ATU [Atlantic Technological University] deliver a continuous stream of talent into the local market.

“The business case is compelling too. IDA support and Ireland’s favourable tax environment apply nationally, but operational costs in the west are meaningfully lower and Galway’s culture, community and craic make it somewhere people genuinely want to be.”

This opinion was shared by the head of Viatris’ Galway site, David Read, who agreed Galway is a significant hub for talent, noting its large population of indigenous talent, its size, strong transportation links and a great coastal location that attracts a talented migrant community. 

He said 30pc of the platform’s workforce were attracted to Galway and the west because of its reputation as an ideal location to raise a family, as well as to grow and develop careers. 

Supported by third-level institutions, such as ATU and the University of Galway, Read noted that the region benefits from a homegrown talent pipeline, which is key for organisations looking to recruit and bolster their teams. 

“Viatris supports this talent pipeline with our graduate development programme where we support the rotation of successful graduates through different functions, for example quality, manufacturing, science and technology on the site and also support rotations in the other Viatris sites in Ireland,” he said. 

“The concept here is that we contribute to talent development and hopefully this talent anchors in the area and continues to grow and develop to more senior roles in the organisation.”

Wander west

For both Dervan and Read, in addition to the importance of developing a sturdy talent pipeline and meeting future skill needs, it is also vital that technology organisations commit to scale and growth outside of Ireland’s capital. 

Dervan said this is “critically important and the data backs it up”.

“Almost 70pc of new jobs created by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies in 2025 were outside Dublin and 88pc of new IDA jobs added in H1 2025 were in regional locations. The case for regions isn’t just about economic balance, it’s talent strategy,” she said. 

“Dublin salaries and cost of living create real friction for scaling companies; regions like Galway offer access to the same world-class talent at a more sustainable cost base. And the quality-of-life argument is underrated. My commute to the office is five minutes on a bike and my view is the iconic Long Walk, that’s not a small thing when you’re trying to attract and retain great people.”

“It is important to grow organisations outside of Dublin, so that new emerging talent can live and grow with their families and communities and have great career opportunities,” agreed Read, who further explained that this needs to be supported by sustainable transport to ensure organisations can get staff to and from their place of employment.

He said: “This also means that organisations can harness what’s great about their region and the local talent pool. This vision is why organisations like the IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta exist.”

Local engagement

But in a diverse landscape, such as the one in Galway, how might organisations ensure that they are contributing to the business and technology ecosystems in the region?

Dervan advised companies to actively engage with local drivers such as ITAG and the PorterShed to create opportunities year-round.

“Invest in local talent development,” she said. “Our local universities provide a strong pipeline of local talent. Rent The Runway offers student internships and actively recruits graduates, hiring a graduate that was previously our intern is a genuine win-win. We also support Teen Turn in guiding girls toward STEM careers. 

“Foster internal innovation. Ireland’s 35pc R&D tax credit makes this as commercially smart as it is culturally valuable, good for your people and good for the bottom line.”

For Viatris’ Isobel Foyle, a HR director, Galway benefits strongly from a rich ecosystem made up of both multinational and Irish companies, each playing a critical role in sustaining regional economic stability. In order to remain competitive in this space, organisations need to actively invest in pipeline building via strategic partnerships and third-level institutions. 

“This includes shaping future skills through aligned educational pathways and providing meaningful development opportunities via structured co-operative placements and graduate programmes,” she said. “Furthermore, we play a vital role in partnering with innovation hubs such as IDA Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta to share best practice and drive innovation and investment. 

“In parallel, sustained investment in STEM initiatives at primary and secondary levels is essential to cultivating future talent. This collective commitment is increasingly critical in a highly competitive, rapidly evolving socio-economic and technological landscape, ensuring Galway’s long-term economic resilience.”

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