RDI Hub Secures Strategic Role in Europe’s AI Ecosystem: Officially appointed as an Associated Partner of ICHEC under the EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna Programme, connecting Kerry and the South-West to cutting-edge AI and HPC infrastructure.
Direct Access to World-Class AI Resources for Regional Innovators: Partnership gives RDI Hub members and local enterprises access to AI-optimised supercomputing, secure AI sandboxes, and future quantum-enabled systems.
Major Milestone for Regional Innovation Leadership: This designation positions RDI Hub as a national and European leader in AI and high-performance computing, driving growth for startups and SMEs across FinTech, Sustainability Tech, Health, and more.
Kerry, Ireland, 19.11.2025, 2.00pm
RDI Hub, a leading regional innovation centre supporting startups, SMEs and multinationals, based in Kerry,, established as a public private partnership between Fexco, Munster Technological University, Kerry County Council, has today announced its official designation as an Associated Partner of ICHEC (Irish Centre for High-End Computing) under Ireland’s newly announced AI Factory Antenna part of the EU’s EuroHPC Programme and the wider European HPC AI Initiative.
This €10 million national investment will deliver AI-optimised high-performance computing, secure AI sandboxes, advanced data environments, and a pathway to future quantum-accelerated AI systems.
RDI Hub’s partnership ensures that companies in the South-West now have direct access to the same EuroHPC-backed infrastructure powering Europe’s next generation of AI innovation.
Earlier this month, Minister Robert Troy visited the RDI Hub, where he spoke of the inspiring facilities, high-calibre talent and the unique environment that distinguishes the Hub as a regional innovation engine.
He noted that this new designation under the EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna Programme further strengthens RDI Hub’s position as a leading national and European player in AI, innovation, and enterprise support, reaffirming its role in driving opportunity and growth across the South-West.
Quotes
Minister Robert Troy
“RDI Hub’s designation as an Associated Partner of ICHEC is a strong signal of Ireland’s commitment to regional innovation. Through the EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna Programme, advanced AI and HPC capabilities will now reach innovators in Kerry and the southern region and far beyond. This is exactly the kind of balanced innovation model that supports enterprise growth nationwide.”
— Robert Troy, Minister of State, Department of Finance
Fergal Brosnan, CEO RDI Hub
“Being appointed an Associated Partner of ICHEC under the EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna Programme programme is a major milestone for RDI Hub,” said Fergal Brosnan, CEO of RDI Hub. “This places the Region firmly within Europe’s AI and HPC landscape and ensures our member companies can develop, test and scale advanced AI solutions using world-class computational resources.”
Professor Jean-Christophe Desplat (Director, ICHEC) says:
“EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna Programme will deliver a critical component of our national Advanced Computing infrastructure, bringing software platform and services for the accelerated adoption of AI within our SME and startup ecosystem as well as public sector bodies.”
James Harkin, Chief Software Architect, ICHEC
“The EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna initiative is designed to ensure world-class AI and HPC infrastructure reaches innovators across all regions of Europe. RDI Hub’s role as an Associated Partner of ICHEC is essential in delivering that mission — enabling organisations across the South-West Region to access AI-optimised and future quantum-enabled computing systems, backed by ICHEC’s national expertise.”
— James Harkin, Chief Software Architect, Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC)
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Unlocking European HPC AI Capability for the Region
As an Associated Partner of ICHEC in the EuroHPC AI Factory Antenna Programme, RDI Hub and its members will benefit from:
- Access to EuroHPC AI-accelerated supercomputing infrastructure
- Future quantum-enabled AI hardware under the AI Factories Initiative
- Ireland’s national secure AI sandbox for responsible AI development
- Specialist technical and engineering support from ICHEC
- Connectivity into European AI Factory nodes, TEFs, and cross-border research clusters
- Advanced training and talent development in AI, HPC, and quantum computing
This partnership significantly strengthens the region’s capacity to support enterprise innovation, applied research, and high-scale AI development across FinTech, Sustainability Tech, Digital, Travel Tech, Health, Manufacturing and emerging sectors.
About RDI Hub
RDI Hub is a leading regional innovation centre, based in Kerry, supporting startups, SMEs and multinationals across AI, FinTech, Digital, Travel Tech and high-growth technology sectors. It is a public–private partnership between Fexco, Munster Technological University, Kerry County Council and supported by Enterprise Ireland.
About European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking
Created in 2018, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) is a joint initiative between the EU, European countries and private partners to develop a World Class Supercomputing Ecosystem. Ireland is a founding member, represented by DFHERIS on its Governing Board.
It promotes the development of HPC and AI capacities and capabilities through the running and co-funding of competitive calls.
