Dublin’s technology ecosystem is to be mapped as part of a new initiative to find out how
many start-ups are in the capital, what sectors they are in and how advanced they are.
The Dublin Data Initiative, which was instigated by the city’s new commissioner for start-ups Niamh Bushnell, will begin collecting data from start-ups and stakeholder organisations in January, with the aim of mapping the tech ecosystem and informing start-up policy.
The initiative will be undertaken in conjunction with Start-up Genome, a global non-profit that maps start-up ecosystems, in partnership with technology supply chain business PCH.
Ms Bushnell said the initiative was the first such mapping exercise of Dublin’s tech-related start-up sector to be carried out.
“To continue to build on Dublin’s character and reputation as a global tech hub we need great data about our companies, their strengths and challenges, and how we, as an ecosystem, can better support them at every step along the journey.”
She said Start-up Genome had already mapped the tech and start-up ecosystem of other cities including London and Berlin, adding that the data for Dublin would come from banks, the Government, Enterprise Ireland, accelerator programmes, start-ups and stakeholder organisations such as Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Startup Ireland and Amárach Research,
“It is important to find out what the start-ups are doing, what stage they are at, how many there are, and what level of finding they have.
“ We need this data to establish a baseline from which we can see trends, identify weaknesses and establish goals.”
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton said Ireland has many strengths, including good availability of seed funding and venture capital, an enviable presence of leading international companies, good accelerators and incubators for early-stage companies and well-established support systems from State agencies.
“By collecting better data we can build on these strengths, address weaknesses, support more start-ups and create the jobs of the future.”
