The Research Ireland ARC (Accelerating Research to Commercialisation) Hub for ICT was officially launched at TU Dublin’s Grangegorman campus, marking a significant national initiative to accelerate the translation of ICT and artificial intelligence research into commercially viable solutions with societal and economic impact. Hosted by Technological University Dublin and supported by national and European partners, the ARC Hub was established following a €32.21 million funding award to address gaps in Ireland’s innovation ecosystem. The Hub provides researchers with a structured pathway from research excellence to commercialisation, offering targeted funding, training, mentorship, and access to industry networks.
Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027, the ARC Hub aligns with national research priorities and European regional development objectives. By fostering collaboration among academia, industry, policymakers, and funding bodies, the Hub aims to strengthen Ireland’s leadership in ICT and AI innovation while supporting researchers to develop impactful solutions.
Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, highlighted the university’s track record in knowledge transfer and innovation, noting that the ARC Hub builds on this momentum by enabling researchers to translate innovations into real-world applications that benefit society and the economy. James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, emphasized the Hub’s role in driving regional and national growth by helping researchers convert advanced research into commercial impact.
Prof Sarah Jane Delany, Director of the ARC Hub for ICT, stated that the initiative empowers researchers to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions that address real-world challenges. Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO of Research Ireland, noted that the ARC Hub represents one of the most ambitious and potentially disruptive programs ever delivered by the organization, providing a scalable model of entrepreneurship to convert talent and ideas into future enterprises. Sofia Alves from the European Commission added that the program demonstrates how EU Cohesion Policy can translate excellent research into tangible economic and societal benefits.
The launch event brought together leaders from government, higher education, research funding, industry, and European institutions, reflecting the initiative’s national and international importance. The event featured a keynote by Niamh Bushnell, former Dublin Commissioner for Startups, and highlighted TU Dublin’s significant growth in research capacity, with funding increasing by 88% from 2020 to 2024.
Ireland’s ICT research base, spanning AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital technologies, is internationally recognized, yet many outputs struggle to reach commercialisation. The ARC Hub addresses this by equipping researchers with the skills, support, and connections to navigate the path from research to market successfully. The launch also encouraged ICT researchers across Ireland to engage with the Hub to bridge the gap between research innovation and industry application.
