Ireland’s first digital health innovation hub for start-ups and SMEs

digital health innovation hub

A new digital health innovation hub, dConnect was launched in Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) which will support Ireland’s ambition to become a global leader in the development of digital health solutions.

Known as dConnect, the digital health innovation hub 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 DkIT hub aims to drive collaboration between researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, and create a cluster of digital health enterprises.

The new innovation hub aims to help Ireland become a major player in the area of digital health.

“We are delighted to launch the country’s first ever digital health innovation hub, dConnect, here at our campus in North Leinster South Ulster. 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,” DkIT President, Michael Mulvey, PhD delivered the opening address said.

“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,” he added.

dConnect received $4,513 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.  

Statsports CEO, Sean O’Connor, grew his world-leading GPS player tracking company from the Regional Development Centre at DkIT. He a passionate supporter of the dConnect initiative and believes that this type of focused engagement and support is essential to the growth of indigenous businesses.

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 Programs & Business Development who coordinated today’s launch event.