For the first time, AIM is expanding beyond its Sligo-based headquarters, to target additional “industry clusters” in the West of Ireland.

The Advance Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM) Centre in Sligo, which is a collaborative partnership between the Atlantic Technological University, Sligo County Council and Leitrim County Council, has announced an expansion with a new Galway base of operations. 

The AIM Centre intends to strengthen its links within the medtech and life sciences sectors and for the first time will expand outside of Sligo. The Centre is also currently recruiting for specialist roles in both the Galway and Sligo facilities. 

AIM focuses on business transformation, supporting companies across manufacturing operations, supply chain, HR, legal, energy, data, and decision-making. The centre also supports the services sector, recognising the increasing demand for practical AI adoption and data-driven transformation beyond manufacturing.

The expansion was supported by the Western Development Commission, with the new base to be located out of Wellpark, in Galway City. AIM has stated that the decision to join the hubs is part of the organisation’s “growth strategy, a key plank of which is developing links with key industry clusters”.

As part of the expansion, AIM is planning a range of events intended to boost engagement in Galway in the coming months. For example, towards the end of April, the organisation will have a stand at the Dexcom Stadium for the medtech Innovation Expo, bringing together exhibitors and expert speakers to showcase new technologies and research in the healthcare space. 

AIM Centre will also be in attendance at the AtlanTec Festival conference in May. Tech companies from the AtlanTec Gateway and globally, will be present throughout the festival, demonstrating how technology is transforming businesses and society.

Commenting on the announcement, David Bermingham, the director of AI at AIM Centre, said, “The move to open our first Galway hub is designed to strengthen our national reach. We already work with companies across Ireland, but having a base in Galway allows us to be closer to key sectors like medtech and life sciences, where there is strong demand for what we do.

“The AIM Centre’s strength is that we look at the entire business. We work with companies to understand where AI and digital technologies can deliver real impact, from operations and energy through to strategy and decision-making. It’s not about technology for the sake of it. It’s about solving real business problems. We are also seeing growing demand from the services sector, and this expansion allows us to support a broader range of organisations in adopting AI in a practical and meaningful way.”

Méabh Conaghan, the regional director at Enterprise Ireland, added, “Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish companies to adopt digital and AI technologies that enhance productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability. 

“The expansion of the AIM Centre to collaborate with CREW in Galway, another Regional Enterprise Development Centre, strengthens the regional and national AI support ecosystem. This development will bring expertise closer to key industrial clusters while continuing to support manufacturers and services companies nationwide in applying AI in a practical way.”

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