UnicornQuest Partners Gather in Galway to Strengthen Europe’s Innovation Ecosystem
WestBIC is an Enterprise Ireland partner providing hands-on startup support, funding readiness and investment preparation for early-stage founders in the west of Ireland.
The latest UnicornQuest Interregional Learning Event took place in Galway, Ireland, on 7–8 October 2025, hosted by WestBIC. The event brought together project partners and stakeholders from across Europe to explore Ireland’s collaborative approach to supporting start-ups and scaling enterprises.
Over two days, participants shared progress on policy improvements and regional action plans aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems — or “unicorn forests” — that nurture high-growth enterprises across partner regions.
Policy Innovation and Collaboration
The sessions opened at Platform94, where Deirdre Mac Loughlin (WestBIC Chair), Pietro De Martino (EBN President), and João Assunção (PACT) welcomed partners.
Key presentations included insights from Kenneth Deery on the West Regional Enterprise Plan and James Donlon (WestBIC) on Ireland’s Action Plan for Policy Improvement.
Partners from all regions then shared their own action plans and monitoring strategies during a hands-on workshop led by Marinka Vovk (CPU Reuse Center, Slovenia).
Exploring Ireland’s Innovation Ecosystem
The event showcased Ireland’s vibrant support environment for start-ups and innovation. Presentations from Enterprise Ireland, Platform94, Western Development Commission, and WestBIC highlighted national and regional programmes such as Pre-Seed Start Fund, Prep4Seed, and New Frontiers, all designed to accelerate high-growth entrepreneurship.
Participants visited the ATU Innovation Hubs, where Turlough Rafferty, Innovation Centre Manager, and his team presented the university’s commercialisation supports and entrepreneurship initiatives, including the New Frontiers Programme. The session offered valuable insights into the role of higher education institutions in driving innovation-led regional growth.
Day 2 began with a visit to the Galway Chamber of Commerce, where partners took part in a consortium meeting to discuss next steps for policy improvements, monitoring activities, and project communications and financial planning. Karen Ronan, CEO of Galway Chamber, then outlined the Chamber’s work in supporting and scaling innovative enterprises through initiatives such as the Galway City Innovation District and Portershed.
The event concluded with a visit to the University of Galway, where Dr Sinéad Walsh, Director of Operations at BioInnovate Ireland, delivered an engaging presentation on the programme’s impact in fostering medtech entrepreneurship. Participants toured the facilities and learned how BioInnovate’s approach contributes to the development of high-potential start-ups and scale-ups in the health innovation sector.
Looking Ahead
The Galway meeting marked a milestone in the UnicornQuest journey, focusing on refining policy improvements and preparing for the next monitoring phase. It also strengthened collaboration among European partners, while highlighting the West of Ireland’s innovation strengths and its growing potential to cultivate its very first unicorn.