The inaugural ENTIRE Industry Network Day, in collaboration with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) within Enterprise Ireland (EI), took place recently at Tyndall National Institute in Cork.
Designed to empower SMEs with digital transformation and data-driven decision-making strategies, the event provided businesses with an opportunity to hear from leading professionals in AI, Cyber Security and Digital Transformation, as well as fellow industry peers who have engaged with the ENTIRE European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) programme.
This was a valuable occasion for organisations to hear the latest trends in technology, and to understand how ENTIRE and the EDIHs can support SMEs through its four service pillars: Test Before Invest, Skills Development, Support to Find Investment and Ecosystem Networking.
The event was opened by Paul Galvin Director – ENTIRE EDIH, Teri Smith Manager – LEO Centre of Excellence & ENN and Laura Clifford – EDIH Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland.
Keynote speakers included:
Dr Hazel Murray – Cyber Security Lecturer, Munster Technological University – who discussed the importance of digital resilience for SMEs in Ireland, the cyber security risks they face and the top 5 cyber actions small businesses should take.
Stephen O’Keeffe – Director Cyber and Privacy, PwC Ireland – who outlined the current cyber threat landscape such as ransomware, phishing, and the role of AI, and explained how businesses should prepare and respond in such a scenario.
Prof Barry O’Sullivan – Director Insight Research Ireland Centre for Data Analytics and Director SFI Centre for Research Training on Artificial Intelligence & ENTIRE – discussed the risks of AI, the AI Act, why AI literacy is a requirement for organisations and how ENTIRE can help.
Stephen Lyons – Strategic Projects Manager, Skillnet Ireland & ENTIRE – described Ireland’s Talent landscape, how upskilling is not an option… it is a necessity, and the ongoing adoption of AI.
Two insightful panel discussions followed:
In our ‘Test before Invest’ session we heard from SMEs about how ENTIRE EDIH supported them on their digital transformation journey including Bill O’Gorman – Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, James O’Connor – Waggi Connected Pets, Jim Mulcahy – Impact Energy Trading, Jennifer Thornton – IMME Sustainables, and Anneliese Duffy – Fashion Connect Ireland.
In our ‘Ecosystem Networking’ session panellists had an interesting discussion about the wide variety of supports available for SMEs in Ireland through the likes of the European Digital Innovation Hubs, Enterprise Ireland, Horizon Europe and more. This included Caroline Hofman – The Cube National Centre for Low Carbon, Brian Cahill – Nimbus Research Centre at Munster Technological University, Laura Plunkett – CeADAR Ireland, Stephen O’Reilly – Enterprise Ireland, Mike Conroy – Data2Sustain and Stephen Barnes – Walton Institute & ENTIRE, with chair Hazel Peavoy – Walton Institute & ENTIRE.
With the abundance of supports and services available in Ireland, it can often be overwhelming for businesses. If you are an SME looking to kick start your digital transformation journey or if you just don’t know where to start, simply reach out to ENTIRE or your local EDIH who will be happy to help put together an appropriate pathway to success.
