The Western Development Commission (WDC) has announced Síorghlas, a landmark event taking place on 19 June 2026 at Dexcom Stadium, Galway. Meaning “evergreen” in Irish, Síorghlas reflects both the enduring impact of the WDC’s Investment Fund and a renewed commitment to long-term, sustainable regional development.
Set against a backdrop of economic and social change, Síorghlas will bring together policymakers, founders, investors and community leaders to reflect on progress across the Western region and shape a shared vision for the future.
Central to that future is the WDC’s strategy, Unlocking Potential, Driving Change, which includes a commitment to invest a further €35 million in businesses and communities. This next phase will build on the success of the WDC’s evergreen model, ensuring capital continues to circulate and deliver impact where it is most needed.
The event comes amid strong momentum for the WDC’s Investment Fund, which has now invested more than €100 million across the region. In 2025, the fund surpassed its 50th investment in the life sciences and MedTech sector, while continuing to support community enterprise, innovation and scaling businesses.
Síorghlas will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions and founder-led sessions. Speakers include John Power, Founder and CEO of Aerogen, who will share insights on building and scaling a global company from Galway.
Investor perspectives will be explored by Gillian Buckley of the WDC and Sarah Jane Larkin of the IVCA, alongside Brian Shields, CEO and Co-Founder of Neurent Medical Ltd, offering a practical view on capital, risk and scaling ambition.
Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC, will deliver a keynote on the power of regions. The programme will also feature experienced founders and investors including Eamon Brady (Mednova, Neuravi, WhiteSwell) and Barry Comerford, focusing on starting, scaling and succeeding from the West.
A key highlight will see Minister Dara Calleary T.D. unveil findings from an independent socio-economic analysis of the WDC’s Investment Fund, providing new insights into its contribution to enterprise development, job creation and community resilience.
Allan Mulrooney, CEO of the WDC, said:
“Síorghlas is not just about reflecting on what has been achieved to date. It is about asking how we go further and faster, particularly for parts of the West and Northwest that still face significant challenges around investment, scale and opportunity.
Across the region, we are seeing globally ambitious companies emerging from places that would once have been overlooked. The question now is how we build on that momentum and ensure more founders, communities and regions can benefit over the next decade.
The WDC’s evergreen model has demonstrated long-term, regionally rooted capital works. Under our current strategy, we are committing a further €35 million through the Western Investment Fund to support the next generation of businesses to start, scale and succeed from the West and Northwest”.
John Power, Founder and CEO of Aerogen added:
“The West has shown it can compete on a global stage. What’s been built to date is strong, but the opportunity now is even greater. Continued access to smart, patient capital like that provided by the WDC will be key to enabling more founders to scale internationally while remaining rooted in the region”.
Síorghlas will provide a platform for collaboration and forward-looking discussion, reinforcing the Western region’s role as a key driver of Ireland’s future innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth. The event is expected to attract founders, scaling companies, investors and policymakers from across Ireland and beyond. With capacity limited, early registration is advised.
