Last Friday, the RDI Hub in Killorglin in Kerry marked a major milestone and celebrated five years of fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration. As a founding member, ADAPT has been proud to play a role in the development of the RDI Hub which has become an important location for startups and established businesses alike to scale and commercialise cutting-edge research.
RDI Hub is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Ireland, designed to bring together startups, corporates, and researchers in a shared space where they can learn from each other and accelerate growth. A not-for-profit partnership between Fexco, Munster Technological University (formerly Institute of Technology, Tralee), and Kerry County Council, the hub is backed by the Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation Regional Enterprise Development Fund, administered by Enterprise Ireland.
The anniversary event featured hurling legend Joe Canning, who spoke about leadership, communication, and the role of data in sport, while Minister Norma Foley addressed the audience on the power of innovation to drive regional economic growth.
Artificial Intelligence was a key theme, with panel discussions featuring industry leaders exploring how AI is transforming business. RDI Hub CEO Liam Cronin and Fexco CEO Neil Hosty reflected on the centre’s journey so far and shared exciting plans for the future.
Speaking at the event, ADAPT’s Director, Professor John Kelleher said: ““From the beginning, ADAPT saw the potential of an AI Summer School in Kerry and was proud to partner with the RDI Hub to make it happen. Since 2020, the school has become a key forum for discussing AI’s rapid evolution, a space to explore how it’s reshaping industries, challenging governance, and ensuring its benefits outweigh the risks.
The conversations and collaborations that happen here matter. They help shape the future of AI in a way that serves society. Congratulations to the RDI Hub on five fantastic years and we look forward to many more.”
A highlight of the event was the launch of RDI Hub’s first-ever impact report, showcasing its success in helping Irish and international businesses scale through innovation. The event also saw the announcement of the €1 million Smart Regions AI Navigator programme, developed in partnership with Enterprise Ireland and co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. This programme is designed to help SMEs adopt AI technologies, and several participating businesses shared their experiences of how it has already made a difference.
With its focus on the commercialisation of research, digital transformation, and industry collaboration, the RDI Hub has made a real impact over the past five years. ADAPT’s continued support of the RDI Hub will continue this year with the annual John McCarthy AI Summer School for 2025 focusing on AI and Finance.
