Bank of Ireland Launches Startlab
Pictured at the launch in Galway are Richie Boucher, Group CEO, Bank of Ireland and Edel Browne of Free Feet
Bank of Ireland launches StartLab Galway – a space for tech startups to experiment
- StartLab Galway powered by Bank of Ireland is a unique program designed to incubate high potential tech Startups to scale rapidly
- Based in the heart of Galway City, StartLab is an incubator developed to support scaling tech startups with space, mentorship and access to the Bank of Ireland Innovation team to help propel their companies
- This compliments the Bank of Ireland Workbenches, free of charge hot desking and event spaces for all to benefit from, based on Mainguard Street (Galway) and Grand Canal Square (Dublin)
Bank of Ireland has today launched a unique incubator program for tech startups in Galway – StartLab powered by Bank of Ireland – designed to support the tech startup community in Galway City and the surrounding region.
StartLab powered by Bank of Ireland, located in Galway, is a unique space which provides emerging tech startup companies with an incubator program lasting for 6 months that offers successful candidates access to a dedicated workspace, education program and access to a wide range of supports designed to help scale their companies.
From its base at 19 Eyre Square, StartLab will offer entrepreneurs a six month intensive programme including access to Seed Fund Venture Capital investors, mentors, support from the Bank of Ireland Innovation Team (including David Tighe, Head of Innovation, Gene Murphy, Entrepreneur in Residence, and Tracy Keogh, Galway Startup Community Manager) and access to Bank of Ireland product teams, tech sector specialists and technology. The participants in each six month programme will be selected from early stage tech startups through a competitive process in a range of sectors including Fintech, Agritech, ICT and other fast paced industry segments.
Bank of Ireland StartLab Galway complements the Bank of Ireland Workbenches, up and running at Mainguard Street (Galway) and Grand Canal Square (Dublin). Since opening, the Workbenches – which offer hot desking, meeting and event space to startup companies and entrepreneurs – have welcomed more than 10,000 visitors, hosted more than 200 events, and supported more than 100 startup enterprises.
Richie Boucher, Group Chief Executive Officer at Bank of Ireland, formally launched StartLab, commented:
“As the largest lender to the Irish economy today, Bank of Ireland is also supporting the companies of the future. Entrepreneurs and startup companies will be a major part of our future economic development and need support in the early days. StartLab Galway will offer that support, giving early stage companies access to a range of supports to help them succeed and grow from Galway.
“It’s especially appropriate that we are making this announcement whilst Galway is hosting the Startup Gathering. Sponsored by Bank of Ireland, this nationwide initiative sees almost 400 events taking place this week, all designed to make Ireland a global leader where startup businesses can start, scale and succeed.”
Barry O’Sullivan, CEO of Altocloud and an active technology investor commented:
“StartLab Galway is a fantastic addition to the startup ecosystem in Galway and the surrounding region. It is great to see Bank of Ireland engage with the tech community in this way. I would urge ambitious startups to apply to StartLab right away.”
Warmly welcoming the initiative Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland said:
“I congratulate Bank of Ireland on this significant and exciting new initiative to support entrepreneurs and technology start up’s in Galway and the Western region. It further strengthens the local infrastructure and supports available to entrepreneurs at the critical early stages of establishing a company and Enterprise Ireland looks forward to working closely with Bank of Ireland in support of those entrepreneurs.”
The application process for a place at StartLab Galway will be launched in the coming weeks at @boistartups. Please follow and watch our account for more details or call into the BOI Workbenches for more information.