Digital Hub’s expansion continues as 31 new companies join cluster

21 Dec 2015

The Digital Hub has played a pivotal role in revitalising one of the historic quarters of Dublin city. Photo: Luke Maxwell

The Digital Hub Dublin enterprise cluster has grown the number of resident companies to 98 with the addition of 31 new businesses this year, including Slack, Living Social and Amazing.com.

This is an increase of 10 companies year-on-year and now more than 700 people are working at The Digital Hub in Dublin.

International companies to join The Digital Hub include fast-growing team communications player Slack, training player Amazing.com and online marketplace Living Social.

‘With just over 700 talented people working within our cluster we are also bringing increased footfall, daily, to businesses in our local community and contributing to the vibrancy of this historic part of Dublin City’
– GERRY MACKEN, THE DIGITAL HUB

Irish companies to join The Digital Hub this year were Square1, a creative online and mobile software development company, and PatientBuddy, a patient self-management platform for patients with chronic conditions.

The Digital Hub recently announced plans for the refurbishment of The Grainstore, a 19th-century building, which will add an additional 10,650 square feet of space to the cluster.

Last year, in a €40m deal, the Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) secured a new enterprise office space and a student accommodation development for The Liberties area in Dublin city.

The project is expected to create up to 300 jobs in construction in the short term and will result in the creation of an additional 10,650 square feet of enterprise office space, as well as a housing development for 470 students on Bonham Street in Dublin 8.

2016 will be a transformative year for The Digital Hub

Digital Hub CEO Gerry Macken said 2016 will also see the Digital Hub Development Agency continue with its tendering and sales process for the development of vacant sites on the south side of Thomas Street.

“The growth and expansion that took place this year, with 31 new companies locating here and with the opening of our ninth building and newly refurbished office space, emphasises The Digital Hub as Ireland’s place-to-be for growing tech companies,” Macken said.

“With just over 700 talented people working within our cluster we are also bringing increased footfall, daily, to businesses in our local community and contributing to the vibrancy of this historic part of Dublin city.

“2016 will see the continued rollout of existing activities that support a technology cluster that goes from strength to strength in driving innovation, increasing productivity levels and supporting employment growth,” Macken said.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com