University of Limerick Highlights Innovations from Deep Tech Start-ups

Seventeen prominent researchers from Ireland presented groundbreaking innovations to potential investors during a special event at the Nexus Innovation Centre at the University of Limerick on December 1, 2025. This showcase, part of the deep tech partner opportunity platform (POP), provided a unique networking opportunity for scientists from state-funded deep tech research institutes and entrepreneurs, aiming to spark Ireland’s next major innovation success story.

The showcased projects featured deep tech solutions specifically designed to address pressing real-world challenges. Innovations spanned a wide array of fields, including semiconductors, food technologies, artificial intelligence, data analytics, advanced battery anodes, and solid-state nanopore and micropore chip technologies. The event also highlighted advancements in medical technology, educational technology, renewable energy, and robotics.

Entrepreneurs attending the showcase had the chance to connect with investors, mentors, and commercial leaders, all of whom play a crucial role in transforming pioneering inventions into market-ready solutions. This event marked the fourth installment in a series of business partner events organized by the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) at UL, underscoring its commitment to fostering deep engagement among researchers, founders, investors, mentors, and industry leaders.

Paul Dillon, director of the Technology Transfer Office at the University of Limerick, emphasized the vital role of Irish universities in accelerating the transition from academic research to impactful spinouts. He stated, “Ireland’s universities are central to fast-tracking visionary founders’ academic research and creating spinouts with real-world impact. At UL, we are proud to champion this collaborative national effort, one that strengthens Ireland’s innovation landscape and supports visionary founders on the journey from research to real-world impact.”

The research supporting these ventures receives backing from notable organizations such as Enterprise Ireland, Research Ireland, the Higher Education Authority, and the European Union. This collaboration highlights the importance of sustained investment in deep-tech innovation to foster growth and success in the sector.

Gert O’Rourke, new ventures manager at the University of Limerick, added, “Researchers deliver the breakthroughs; our role is to help bring them to the world. At UL, supporting the commercialization of research isn’t just about creating companies; it’s about creating opportunities that change lives, strengthen communities, and inspire the next generation of innovators.”

The projects presented at the event originated from several esteemed institutions, including the University of Limerick, University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), Atlantic Technological University (ATU), University of Galway, Teagasc, Munster Technological University (MTU), Dublin City University (DCU), and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

This showcase reflects not only the innovation taking place within Ireland’s academic institutions but also the potential for these advancements to make a significant impact on both local and global scales. As the deep tech landscape continues to evolve, events like this play a crucial role in bridging the gap between research and market application, ultimately paving the way for future breakthroughs that can transform industries and improve lives.