Ireland’s first digital health and innovation hub for start-ups and SMEs
A new digital health innovation hub called dConnect has launched today in Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).
dConnect will support Ireland’s ambition to become a global leader in the development of digital health solutions and will act as a bridge between business, the healthcare sector, higher education and society, forging innovative partnerships that will deliver disruptive technologies to revolutionise healthcare as we know it.
The new national hub is supported by investment from Enterprise Ireland and other partners and is located within the soon-to-expand, Regional Development Centre at DkIT.
The €4.7M hub will provide a spectrum of supports for start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) including mentorship, networking, regulatory or technical consultation and commercialisation of research.
In addition to its focus on the high-tech indigenous sector, dConnect will collaborate with larger businesses and investors to provide access to innovation and partnership opportunities.
dConnect officially launched today at a virtual event attended by representatives from industry, academia and the government sector. DkIT President, Michael Mulvey, PhD delivered the opening address, during which he said,
“… DkIT has a longstanding reputation for leadership in healthcare, digital health and regulated software, and we look forward on building on these competencies through the formation of dConnect.
“Working together with industry and government partners, dConnect has an opportunity to develop and grow a world-leading cluster of digital health enterprises that can generate huge economic and societal benefits for our region and beyond.”
The newly formed dConnect team is comprised of four professionals with expertise across digital health, early-stage investment, software development and entrepreneurship. The hub is led by Angela Duffy, Director of Programmes & Business Development who coordinated today’s launch event.
At today’s launch Ms Duffy said,
“Ireland has a strong track record in MedTech, Life Science and Pharma and with a substantial presence of tech giants here it is perfectly positioned to become a major player in the new era of digitalised healthcare. dConnect will harness this expertise by driving collaboration with researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and corporations to deliver cutting-edge innovation that will unlock untapped potential within the sector.
At dConnect we firmly believe in the power of digital health to transform today’s healthcare systems and support patient-centred care. We look forward to working with enterprises of all sizes and backgrounds to address some of the industry’s greatest challenges and to create advancements that will improve healthcare for the general population.”
dConnect received €3.7M funding via the Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Development Fund (REDF). Additional investment was also secured via supporting partners including DkIT, Louth County Council, Dundalk Enterprise Development Company, STATSports, Servisource, Dundalk Credit Union and the Louth Enterprise Fund.  
For further information see www.dconnect.ie or contact: ssarah.niclochlainn@dkit.ie
