A multimillion-euro 'innovation hub' is opening in the old Dún Laoghaire ferry terminal
The space will house both companies and startups in need of coworking space.
A MAJOR WORK hub is expected to open in the former Dún Laoghaire ferry terminal.
Dubbed the Harbour Innovation Campus, the so-called ‘innovation space’ will have the capacity to cater for up to 1,000 people if it is given the green light by the local council.
The outside of the old ferry terminal will look the same, but the interiors will be repurposed to cater for both larger companies of up to 20 people and small startups in need of coworking space.
The campus will mainly house tech companies and firms in the marine sector, although there will be space made available to some people in the creative industries.
It is hoped that both homegrown and international companies will be attracted to the new space.
The Harbour Innovation Campus is due to be up and running by the middle of next year, pending planning permission from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Harbour Innovation Campus founder Philip Gannon
‘Coastal hub’
Businessman Phillip Gannon, who owns private equity investment firm Blond Capital, is fronting the project. Tech entrepreneur and angel investor Ian Lucey is a shareholder.
Over the next decade, it is expected that about €20 million will be invested in the project and the local area. Fora understands that the initial set-up cost will be in the region of €3 million.
While companies have expressed an interest in taking up space at the hub, there are no details about any initial tenants just yet.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Philip Gannon said entrepreneurs will find “several venture capital funds, a wide range of trained mentors and numerous business advisors” inside the Harbour Innovation Campus.
“Dublin yearns for its own coastal innovation hub and this is it,” he claimed.
He noted that Dún Laghoaire is well-served by public transport links and cycle lanes, as well as a range of local amenities to serve businesses on the campus.
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