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Grand Canal Innovation District
The Grand Canal Innovation District is an initiative whose time has come. We can’t just repeat the existing formula, we need to keep adapting. Ireland must deepen its relationship with the many innovative multinationals that have located here, and develop stronger links between them and the regions in which they reside.
— An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD
What will an Innovation District achieve for Ireland?
An innovation district will connect indigenous and multinational companies together with researchers and venture capitalists. Such a district will produce a sum that is greater than its parts, driving inward investment, new collaborations and jobs. Its benefits will be brought to the regions through virtual connections and the sharing of research, best practice and space. This district is not just a business park, but a place for cultural institutions and amenities for the community, a place where everybody, whether office worker, tourist or local resident will want to spend time, socialise and innovate.
Building an Innovation District
The development of an innovation district involves clustering research centres, entrepreneurs and educational institutes, high growth companies and tech and creative start-ups in a concentrated urban environment. Universities typically act as the anchor tenant physically located in the centre of the district providing a connection to a talent pipeline of graduates, an innovation-thought engine and a social and cultural centre. Grand Canal Quay is already home to some of the most globally-renowned technology companies, Ireland’s largest theatre and Ireland’s largest convention centre. It is home to vibrant communities that would help give an innovation district a living presence. And Trinity has a 5.5 acre campus at the heart of the Grand Canal neighbourhood for which it has ambitious redesign plans as an innovation campus. By working together, we have the opportunity to deliver an internationally leading innovation district for Ireland.
In March 2019, Diarmuid O’Brien, Trinity’s Chief Innovation Officer, spoke about the Grand Canal Innovation District vision as part of a panel session at the American Chamber of Commerce’s Conference. He was joined by Dennis Lower, President & CEO of Cortex Innovation Community (a large innovation district in St Louis, Missouri); Tim Rowe, Founder and CEO of Cambridge Innovation Centre (CIC), an organisation that provides flexible co-working spaces and coordinates events to bring innovators, investors and researchers together, and Carrie Allen, Executive Director for CIC Captains of Innovation.
International insights
Downloads
- Advisory Report (PDF) This report provides a clear strategy and road map to underpin the development and progression of the Grand Canal Innovation District. The advisory group tasked with developing proposals for the innovation district included representatives of all the relevant stakeholders: government departments, multinational technology companies, state agencies, start-ups, universities and members of the local community. (2020).
- About Unit18 (PDF) We are opening a new space, Unit18, in early 2020. This will be place for community education and social initiatives (2019).
- A Vision For Ireland (PDF) This document outlines Trinity’s vision for the Grand Canal Innovation District working in collaboration with other universities, industry, the local community and government (2018).
- Manifesto (PDF) This document aims to stimulate a conversation on the opportunities and challenges open to us in developing a globally competitive innovation district (2018).
- About the GCID (PDF) A brief overview of what an innovation district is, why the Grand Canal is a suitable location and the benefits to the community (2018).