Thursday, 24 September

ONLINE: Building a World-Class Startup Ecosystem

Dogpatch Labs, Dublin

Thursday, 24 September | 10AM – 11:30AM

Building the Best Environment for Founders

What are the building blocks of the world’s great startup ecosystems, and what can we learn from other successful economies to create a stronger platform for Irish founders?

Ireland has produced globally successful technology companies and entrepreneurs for decades. But as competition between startup ecosystems grows, how do we build on those strengths and ensure Ireland remains one of the best places in the world to start and scale a company?

This Masterclass will explore the state of Ireland’s startup and innovation ecosystem today, looking at what works, where there are opportunities to improve and what we can learn from leading startup economies around the world.

Alongside the data, we’ll hear perspectives from experts helping to shape the future of entrepreneurship in Ireland and across Europe.

An Interactive & Immersive Schedule

This Masterclass will explore how successful startup ecosystems are built and what Ireland can do to strengthen its position as a home for ambitious founders.

1. The State of Ireland’s Startup Ecosystem

  • Where Ireland stands today

  • The strengths of the Irish startup and innovation landscape

  • The conditions that have helped create successful Irish founders

  • What the data tells us about the ecosystem

2. What Makes a World-Class Ecosystem

  • The building blocks shared by successful startup economies

  • The role of talent, capital, policy and infrastructure

  • Creating the conditions for founders to start and scale

  • Why some ecosystems consistently produce more high-growth companies

3. Where Ireland Can Improve

  • The challenges facing founders in Ireland today

  • Policy and structural barriers to entrepreneurship

  • Access to funding and support at different stages

  • Opportunities to strengthen the founder journey

4. Learning From Other Ecosystems

  • Lessons from leading startup ecosystems internationally

  • What other countries are doing differently

  • Ideas and approaches Ireland could adopt

  • Where Ireland has an opportunity to lead

Connected Hubs is a central driver of the Irish National Hub Network, a Government of Ireland initiative aimed at establishing and strategically expanding a network of interconnected hub facilities throughout the country. Connected Hubs is a Government of Ireland initiative under Our Rural Future. Connected Hubs is managed by the Western Development Commission in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.