The organisations will collaborate to support entrepreneurs and their communities as they test and scale in agritech and related fields.
A new partnership between South East Technological University (SETU) and Dungarvan Enterprise Centre (DEC) intends to increase opportunities for enterprise and innovation across Dungarvan and west Waterford.
Following the official opening of DEC’s new facility at Fairlane, Dungarvan, which is a hub from which ambitious organisations can scale and grow, SETU signed a memorandum of understanding, declaring DEC to be one of TU Rise’s four rural enterprise hubs.
Supported by the Irish Government and the EU, the TU Rise (Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise) programme aims to boost engagement between technological universities and regional enterprises.
The strategic partnership forged by SETU and DEC will support entrepreneurs and their communities, as they develop, test and grow their innovations, particularly in the agritech space and related fields central to the region’s economic ambitions and identity.
Prof Bill O’Gorman, chair of Dungarvan Enterprise Centre, welcomed the collaboration: “There is an increased understanding nationally and internationally that rural development is integrally linked to policies across a wide range of areas, including spatial planning, enterprise growth, job creation, social cohesion, community development, public services, communications infrastructure, agriculture, the marine, climate adaptation, tourism, heritage, health and leisure.”
Brian Ogilvie, the head of entrepreneurship and rural engagement at SETU, added, “SETU is committed to working in partnership with enterprise centres and regional stakeholders to drive innovation and support vibrant rural communities.
“Through TU Rise, we are building capacity and infrastructure that enable entrepreneurs to thrive and this new hub in Dungarvan will be a catalyst for collaborative research, technology adoption and enterprise growth.”
SETU has long been working to leverage, scale and grow Ireland’s potential in the agritech and innovation space. Recently, the institution secured €224,508 from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to contribute to an international research initiative promoting sustainable, resilient food and farming through agroecological innovation.
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