Minister Seán Canney Welcomes Extension of NDRC Contract – Galway’s PorterShed to Continue Driving Regional Innovation
Seán Canney T.D., Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the contract for the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) with current service provider Dogpatch Labs until the end of 2026. This ensures the continued delivery of critical early-stage startup supports across the country, including through the highly successful PorterShed in Galway.
The PorterShed is one of three regional partners delivering the NDRC programme. The PorterShed has played a central role in fostering a vibrant startup ecosystem in the West of Ireland – providing entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, accelerator programmes, investment, and a powerful national network.
Minister Canney said: “This is very positive news for Galway and for the entire western region. The PorterShed has proven to be an outstanding regional partner in delivering the NDRC, offering real support for start-ups and early-stage tech companies outside of Dublin. I am delighted that this important work will continue through to the end of 2026, giving local entrepreneurs the tools, confidence, and opportunity to succeed on the national and global stage.”
“The decision to extend the NDRC contract ensures continuity of service and lays the foundation for Enterprise Ireland’s new National Accelerator Platform. It’s a clear signal of the Government’s commitment to balanced regional development and the importance of supporting innovation-led startups across the country.”
Enterprise Ireland’s new strategy, Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally, sets a target of 1,000 new startup supports by 2029. A successor National Accelerator Platform is currently in development for launch in 2026, designed to reflect the evolving needs of founders and the recommendations from the recent OECD report on Ireland’s startup ecosystem.
The current NDRC model, operated by Dogpatch Labs and its regional delivery network, ensures that world-class support is available not just in major cities, but in regional innovation hubs like Galway.