- New technology and research hub backed by Fexco, IT Tralee and Kerry County Council.
- Innovative public private partnership supported by Enterprise Ireland.
- Enhancing the South-West’s position as an IT and fintech leader.
RDI Hub, a new research, development and innovation hub backed by Fexco, IT Tralee and Kerry County Council has appointed Liam Cronin as its chief executive. Liam was previously Associate Director of Commercialisation at Trinity College Dublin’s ADAPT Research Centre, and worked in Microsoft for 25 years prior to that.
RDI Hub is a not for profit public-private partnership CLG which through a living lab ecosystem will drive design led innovation, nurture entrepreneurs, and facilitate research, development and training in the financial technology sector. RDI Hub was successful in the highly competitive Enterprise Ireland Regional Enterprise Development Fund, and will bolster the South West’s position as a globally connected financial services and ICT skills hotspot, helping with job creation and economic growth. Commenting on his appointment RDI Hub Chief Executive Liam Cronin said:
“I am very excited to have joined RDI Hub to lead our mission of creating an ecosystem for innovative and fast-growing companies. We will be located in an area that is already synonymous with entrepreneurship and technology, particularly focused on the fintech sector. I am ambitious for the quality of companies that we will attract to the hub, which will be world-class in terms of the facilities and support programmes it will offer. Successful applicants will include both national and international high potential start-ups, entrepreneurs, SMEs, academics, local authorities and the public sector bodies.”
Fexco has donated the premises in which RDI Hub will be housed, the previously-named Liebig Building is a former factory outside Killorglin that is currently undergoing redevelopment. The building will be renamed in honour of John McCarthy as a tribute to the Stanford University Computer Scientist, one of the founders of the discipline of artificial intelligence, whose father was born in Cromane in Kerry.
Fexco CEO, Denis McCarthy said:
“The RDI Hub is an exciting initiative for both the South West and Fexco, and I am pleased we have been able to attract someone with Liam’s wealth of experience to lead the project. It is an excellent example of Government, Higher Education and Private Enterprise working together to drive job creation and economic growth. The Hub will champion investment in innovation and technology, and we are proud to support it.”
Dr. Brendan O Donnell, Acting President, IT Tralee:
“RDI Hub will put us on the map as a globally-connected financial services, innovation and ICT skills hotspot. IT Tralee’s proven track record of education and research in the fields of entrepreneurship and technology will provide a ready source of ideas and innovation that companies in the Hub will benefit from”
Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council:
“This partnership initiative is a perfect example of what can be achieved when the local authorities, industry leaders and third level institutions work together to drive economic development and facilitate job creation in their regions. We are excited about what RDI Hub will do to drive economic growth in Kerry and build on the county’s formidable reputation as the birthplace of some of the country’s most successful businesses.”
RDI Hub is currently recruiting three new staff members as it gears up for its launch, with applications sought for the roles of Programme Manager, Operations Manager and Members & Community Manager.
RDI Hub will also soon be announcing how companies can apply to become members, and benefit from the facilities, support and mentoring that will be on offer in this design led living lab ecosystem. To find out more please visit www.rdihub.com
About RDI Hub
RDI Hub is a world-class centre for design-led, innovation located in Ireland’s South West. A first of its kind, RDI Hub focuses on commercialisation of innovation and research in the fintech and related technologies’ sectors. RDI Hub is a not-for-profit partnership between Government, HEI Research and Private Enterprise.
For further information please contact:
Murray:
- Doug Keatinge; 086-0374163; dkeatinge@murraygroup.ie
- Andrew Smith; 087-6437693; asmith@murraygroup.ie
