The Western Development Commission (WDC) hosted partners of the VIADUCT project in Galway for a two-day interregional workshop and site visit programme focused on Business Creation and Consolidation, sharing what helps turn publicly funded research into spinouts that can grow and last.
Bringing partners from across Europe to the West of Ireland supports a shared ambition to build stronger, more resilient regional economies by improving how research, innovation and entrepreneurship connect in practice. For our region, this matters because successful spinouts help retain talent, create high-value jobs, and strengthen the wider enterprise pipeline, from early-stage founders through to scaling companies with export potential.
Funded by Interreg Europe, VIADUCT (Valorising Public Research to Drive Technology Transfer and Commercialisation through the Creation of Spin-offs) aims to promote the creation and development of technology-based spin-offs by helping regions strengthen the policy instruments that support knowledge transfer and commercialisation. The project brings together partners from seven European regions, supported by ASTP, Europe’s leading association of knowledge transfer professionals, with cooperation structured around interregional thematic workshops, study visits and peer learning designed to translate shared experience into practical policy improvement.
The Galway programme opened with contributions from Councillor David Collins, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, and Allan Mullrooney, CEO of the WDC, followed by input from the project partnership led by the University of Zaragoza. Sessions included a regional perspective from Kenny Deery of the West Regional Enterprise Plan and a European view on spin-off creation and technology transfer from VIADUCT advisory partner ASTP, alongside peer learning on approaches being tested across the partner regions.
Site visits and stakeholder engagement formed an important part of the agenda, showcasing the supports available in Galway for founders and scaling businesses. Partners visited PorterShed, with contributions from the PorterShed team and Platform94, and engaged with the University of Galway Innovation Office and BioInnovate Ireland on commercialisation pathways, training supports and the wider health innovation ecosystem.
Across the two days, partners also worked on policy improvement proposals, reflecting VIADUCT’s focus on moving beyond exchange into practical change that can strengthen regional support instruments over time. This included reflections on why supporting spin-out creation and consolidation matters for strengthening our regional enterprise ecosystem and supporting innovation with real impact.
Hosting VIADUCT in Galway aligns closely with the WDC’s 2025 to 2029 strategy, Unlocking Potential, Driving Change, particularly the pillars focused on enabling our enterprise ecosystem and strengthening partnerships and influence. By convening European partners and regional stakeholders, and by contributing to evidence-informed policy learning, the WDC is supporting start-up and scaling enterprises, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging EU cooperation to help position the region as a hub for innovation and applied research.
