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Event highlights extended €23 million EDIH programme to support SME’s uptake of AI and cutting-edge digital technologies
Pictured (L - R): Paul Galvin (Director, ENTIRE EDIH), Becky Garrard (Project Manager, FactoryXChange 2.0 EDIH), Laura Plunkett (EDIH Programme Manager, CeADAR), Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD, Joe Healy (Head of Research and Innovation, Enterprise Ireland), Ciara Finlay (Senior Executive, Ibec), Patrick Sweeney (National Co-ordinator, Enterprise Europe Network), Laura Clifford (Senior Programme Manager - EDIH, Enterprise Ireland), Mike Conroy (Director, Data2Sustain EDIH)
Dublin, 19 May 2026 – Ireland’s growing reputation as a global leader in digital healthtech innovation was highlighted at a major industry event taking place at Trinity Business School today. Scaling Digital Healthtech in Ireland, hosted by the four Irish European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH), in collaboration with Enterprise Europe Network and Ibec, saw over 400 stakeholders from across the health and life sciences sector come together to hear from leading experts across government, industry and academia, alongside panel discussions and case studies showcasing real-world innovation and impact.
Digital Healthtech represents the combination of smart connected devices and AI-powered digital health tools which are transforming the delivery of healthcare and creating opportunities for new disruptive products and services by Irish companies.
The event marks the first in a series of national engagements designed to support Irish SMEs and public sector organisations in accelerating the development and adoption of digitisation and to increase the awareness of supports which are already available.
Ireland has established itself as a hub for cutting-edge healthtech innovation, supported by a thriving ecosystem of technology companies, researchers and policymakers. The event explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling digital healthtech solutions, including artificial intelligence integration, regulatory compliance, cyber resilience, and access to funding and European markets.
Speaking at the event, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth TD underlined the Government’s commitment to advancing Ireland’s digital health ecosystem. “Today highlights the strength of Ireland’s digital transformation and its growing, innovative healthtech ecosystem. The Government recognises the importance of maintaining and building on this momentum. At the end of 2025, €23 million was announced through my Department and the Digital Europe Programme to extend the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) Programme to 2029. This investment will enable our hubs to significantly accelerate digitalisation among SMEs and public sector organisations, delivering over 3,000 engagements, 1,100 “Test Before Invest” projects, and more than 200 training courses nationwide.
As work progresses on the National Life Sciences Strategy, Ireland is well positioned to lead the future development of this sector. Bringing together industry, innovation, and expertise is essential to achieving our shared ambition: supporting Irish companies to scale globally while delivering meaningful benefits for patients and healthcare systems.
These efforts are reinforced by a wide range of supports designed to help SMEs grow and internationalise their digital health solutions. These include Enterprise Ireland, the National Enterprise Hub, Local Enterprise Offices, Ibec, Health Innovation Hub Ireland, the European Enterprise Network, and the network of European Digital Innovation Hubs operating across Ireland.”
Joe Healy, Head of Research and Innovation at Enterprise Ireland said: “Through the European Digital Innovation Hubs, we are supporting Irish enterprises of all sizes and stages to harness advanced technologies, build capability, and compete internationally. This event demonstrates the importance of connecting the network to drive uptake of the supports on offer and strengthening collaboration across industry, government and academia.”
Ciara Finlay, Ibec Senior Executive said, “Demographic shifts accompanied by the rise of chronic diseases, coupled with the recent impact of the greatest global health emergency in over a century have highlighted the importance of fostering better health system resilience across the world. Digital Health is a solution that can unlock some of the challenges ahead. The digital health segment is estimated to grow at over 17.4% between 2021 and 2027 to €426 billion.
The Medtech, digital health, and biopharma sectors in Ireland already stand out with 700+ companies, employing 130,000 people and exports in excess of €136 billion. The Ibec Digital Health Working Group’s vision is to enable Ireland to become a recognised global hub for digital health by supporting organisations from startups to FDI multinationals, partnering with the European Digital Innovation Hubs on events like this will help them address unmet clinical needs, grow our economy, and notably improve health outcomes.”
This series will continue later this year with Ireland's European Digital Innovation Hubs and EEN hosting additional events focusing on the manufacturing, tourism, and construction sectors.
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