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Up to 180 entrepreneurs and startup companies working in tech focused creative industries in the west will benefit from a new co-working hub being built to support the sector’s development.
Creative Enterprise West (CREW) has secured planning permission for a state-of-the-art Innovation Hub for the creative industries sectors in Galway City.
The stylish hub designed by Cronin Architects in Kinvara will be located on the grounds of GMIT’s Cluain Mhuire campus, and is expected to open in 2023.
In addition it is designed as a hub and event space which will cater for training, networking and business events which will bring together start-ups, the creative enterprise sector, students, academics and the local community.
The overall aim is to foster creative industry business growth, job creation along with core development, enhancement, and investment in the sector.
Niamh Costello, Chief Executive of CREW said, “Investment in innovation is critical to ensure the future competitiveness of the Creative Industries sector in the West of Ireland.
“The region already has a cluster of Creative Technology and Digital entrepreneurs. CREW will bring those companies closer together to create an enterprise culture that encourages entrepreneurs to create new companies that will either become world players themselves or form the basis for expansion of existing companies.”
She added that the hub will provide an “important collaboration space” for entrepreneurs, researchers, and startups, where they can work together on new ideas and develop opportunities in the region.
CREW is a not for profit company established by GMIT, The Western Development Commission and Galway Film Centre to develop and support the creative industries sectors along the Atlantic Economic Corridor.
This can include television, film, animation, game development, digital design, and many more creative enterprises with a digital and tech heavy element to them.
The planning permission granted by Galway City Council for this co-working hub is a milestone end to the non-profit’s first year of operations.
Construction on the co-working innovation hub is expected to commence in Q2 of next year, with an eye towards being fully operational in the summer of 2023.
