After two years in the role, Niamh Bushnell will step down as Dublin start-up commissioner next year. Image: Conor McCabe
Dublin commissioner for start-ups Niamh Bushnell has announced she is to step down from the role in March 2017.
What began as an “experiment” in October 2014, the office of the Dublin commissioner for start-ups – supported by the Ryan Academy at DCU and Dublin City Council – grew into a number of initiatives to boost Dublin’s profile as a start-up city.
Bushnell quickly made her presence felt in the start-up ecosystem of Dublin and the most recent initiative from the office was the TechIreland.org repository of data on the Irish start-up landscape.
‘I will step down as commissioner and Dublin City Council will get to work on a review and development plan for the office’s future’
– NIAMH BUSHNELL
“At a recent board meeting, it was agreed that this office had succeeded in doing something that was important and new in Ireland – to enhance the character and international reputation of Dublin as a tech and innovation city. For sure, any success we have had in doing this has many mothers and many fathers,” said Bushnell.
Future of commissioner’s office yet to be decided
Bushnell confirmed in an email last night that she will continue in the role until March.
“So what’s next for the office? Well, we’ll be continuing as is through the end of March 2017.
“I will then step down as commissioner and Dublin City Council will get to work on a review and development plan for the office’s future in consultation with the relevant stakeholders.”
She said that she will share more specifics on plans for initiatives, including TechIreland in 2017, following the strategic review.
