Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the announcement of €1,326,414 in Smart Regions funding for 8 Galway projects, part of a national €18 million investment in 40 innovation and enterprise projects across the country.

The Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Scheme – co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union – supports regional innovation in areas such as AI, agritech, food, sustainability, advanced manufacturing and digital enterprise. The funding supports regional enterprise through new facilities, industry clusters, SME training programmes and feasibility studies that help regions build long-term innovation capacity.

Galway has secured strong backing across several strategic initiatives, including:

• Creative Leaders Innovating for Market and Business Growth – €330,400
  Delivering innovation and leadership programmes to strengthen SME competitiveness.
• Grow Remote Ireland – €69,320
  Expanding remote-work infrastructure and employer supports to boost regional job access.
• Galway City Innovation District – €166,909
  Developing new early-stage innovation infrastructure and entrepreneurship pathways.
• Galway Growth Cluster – €49,632
  Exploring clustering opportunities to link SMEs with academia and industry partners.
• Marine Institute (Galway) – €50,000
  Supporting feasibility work on blue-economy innovation and future marine research capacity.
• Údarás na Gaeltachta (Galway) – €40,000
  Scoping new Gaeltacht-based enterprise initiatives aligned with regional strengths.

Minister Canney said: “This level of investment shows the strength and depth of Galway’s enterprise and innovation community. These projects will support high-potential startups, strengthen SME growth, expand food and digital innovation, and create new opportunities right across the county. Galway is well placed to lead in sectors that are critical to Ireland’s future competitiveness.”