Carlow Launches €8 Million Innovation Hub to Boost Local Economy

A new regional innovation and enterprise hub, named Catalyst HQ, was officially launched in Carlow, aimed at enhancing support for manufacturing and technology-driven businesses in the South East of Ireland. The initiative, with an investment of €8 million, is expected to create 175 direct jobs and an additional 175 indirect jobs over the first 15 years.

The hub will be located on O’Brien Road in Carlow Town and will consist of two modern buildings. One will be a single-storey light industrial structure measuring 915 square metres, supplemented by office space. The second will be a two-storey office building covering 1,369 square metres. Construction is set to begin in the second quarter of 2026, with completion projected for 2028.

The announcement was made by Peter Burke, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, in a ceremony held at Enterprise House. During the launch, David Walsh, lead of the entrepreneurial advisor panel, described Catalyst HQ as “a genuine game-changer for the South East.” He emphasized that while the infrastructure is vital, the underlying network of support will be instrumental for businesses.

“This facility will foster a community of experienced entrepreneurs dedicated to mentoring the next generation,” Walsh stated. He added that the hub will provide essential professional services necessary for launching and scaling successful businesses.

Services offered at Catalyst HQ will include export readiness and compliance assistance, high-quality market intelligence, global trade insights, innovation mentoring, and support for technology adoption.

Entrepreneurs from Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, and Wexford will benefit from tailored interventions aimed at enhancing their market presence. Kieran Comerford, Head of Enterprise and Economic Development at Carlow County Council, noted that micro-businesses, defined as having ten or fewer employees, constitute the largest employment group in the South East.

“Catalyst HQ is designed as a transformative regional asset that will empower businesses at every stage of their growth journey,” Comerford explained. He pointed out that through targeted interventions and sector-specific support, the hub will help position South East businesses for sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive global environment.

The facility will serve as a central point for local enterprises looking to optimize international trade processes and access advanced technologies. Catalyst HQ aims to cultivate a long-term culture of innovation, collaboration, and global market engagement within the region.

The project will offer two distinct streams for companies in the manufacturing and manufacturing support services sectors. Catalyst Scale will focus on supporting business scale-ups with fewer than ten staff, while Catalyst Grow will cater to more established companies with over ten employees and their own premises.

Funding for the initiative has been partially secured from the Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme. This program aims to accelerate economic growth across all regions of Ireland.

With the establishment of Catalyst HQ, the South East is set to enhance its business support infrastructure, fostering a more robust economic landscape for both new and existing enterprises.