Stephen Carolan
Connected Hubs Programme Manager, Western Development Commission
Hubs provide a structured yet flexible alternative to traditional office spaces and home working. They enable businesses to scale up or down easily and adapt to changing needs.
In an era where agility and resilience define business success, Ireland’s network of hubs offers SMEs and entrepreneurs the ultimate ‘third space’ — a flexible alternative to traditional office setups and the isolation of home working. While many businesses may be aware that hubs offer services such as coworking desks, private offices, meeting rooms, event spaces and more, they may be less familiar with how hubs can support real business growth.
Power of the ‘third space’
Stephen Carolan, Connected Hubs Programme Manager, explains: “Hubs are dynamic, innovation-driven environments that foster collaboration, productivity and growth. For startups and SMEs, hubs provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional office leases, with the flexibility to scale up or down as needs evolve. They provide professional workspaces for employees who work remotely, opening up new talent markets and providing a wider hiring pool for small businesses. Furthermore, they come with on-site staff who can take care of the day-to-day, such as facilities management.”
Community, networking and growth
Killian Kavanagh, Managing Director of media project management agency, Dovetail Consulting, agrees. Based in Dundalk’s Creative Spark hub, Killian explains: “The hub fosters a collaborative environment where partnerships happen organically, and we’ve worked on projects with other hub members. The world-class Fab Lab has opened here with opportunities to explore 3D printing — something we wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. Additionally, many courses and events hosted in this hub have made professional development and networking more accessible.”
Many of our hubs provide tailored
business support services, including
mentoring, accelerator programmes
and signposts to funding resources.
Driving business resilience and flexibility
High-speed internet and professional working spaces aren’t the only things on offer. As Carolan explains: “Many of our hubs provide tailored business support services, including mentoring, accelerator programmes and signposts to funding resources.” Being part of the network means businesses can access a wide range of expertise. Hubs offer a variety of flexible pricing models ensuring you only pay for what you need when you need it.
Government support
The Connected Hubs network is a Government of Ireland initiative comprising over 370 hubs, with new hubs joining regularly. Backed by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under Our Rural Future (the national rural development policy), and project-managed by the Western Development Commission (WDC), it continues to expand its offerings. “Government support has been instrumental in ensuring that high-quality workspaces are accessible across Ireland, from major cities to rural communities,” says Carolan.
