{"id":562145,"date":"2026-04-03T12:28:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:28:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/562145\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T12:28:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T12:28:18","slug":"atu-innovation-hub-mayo-marks-20-years-of-supporting-entrepreneurship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/562145\/","title":{"rendered":"ATU Innovation Hub Mayo marks 20 years of supporting entrepreneurship"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

The ATU iHub in Mayo marked its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of support for entrepreneurship and innovation in the west of Ireland. Pictured are Maria Stanton, Michelle Lee, Barbara O\u2019Shea and Anjalee Weerasinghe of ATU iHub Mayo. Photo: Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

\n Published:
\n Thu 2 Apr 2026, 4:28 PM\n <\/p>\n

The ATU Innovation Hub Mayo is celebrating a significant milestone. . . 20 years since opening its doors on March 20, 2006.<\/p>\n

What began as the Innovation in Business Centre has evolved through the GMIT Innovation Hub and into today\u2019s ATU Innovation Hub.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Mykola Avlas of AskTask.ie and Eoghan O\u2019Mara Kilbane of MovieGame.ai., Helen Gavin of SocialJam and Annmarie Gavin of AMG Optimus.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

But one thing has remained constant\u2014its unwavering commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering innovation across the region.<\/p>\n

Over the past two decades, the Innovation Hub has welcomed a vibrant and diverse community of founders and start-ups.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Daria and Alex Blackwell, former Innovation Hub clients, with Maria Staunton.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

Since its inception over 240 companies have been assisted , creating 800+ jobs.<\/p>\n

Over 20 high potential start ups have been created in Mayo and over 50 businesses have transitioned to the wider west region with 74% of businesses still in business after seven years.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gillian McGeever with David McNicholas and Austin Lacey of Inova Recruitment.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

Many completed the entrepreneurship programmes including Enterprise Ireland\u2019s New Frontiers Programme, and the EMPOWER series for female entrepreneurs\u2014EMPOWER and EMPOWER Cumas\u00fa (funded by \u00dadar\u00e1s na Gaeltachta), as well as EMPOWER Elevate, supported by the Local Enterprise Offices in Mayo and Galway.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sorcha O\u2019Grady and Jens Hellberg (TruckScience).
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

Over 200 female founders have been supported through these programmes.<\/p>\n

These initiatives have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs refine their ideas, build sustainable businesses, and scale with confidence.<\/p>\n

Alongside programme delivery, the iHub has long been a cornerstone for companies seeking space to grow.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Nora McDonald of Eden Wellness and Sophia McHugh of Rubydo Gifts.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

Through its range of office, desk, and virtual memberships, the Hub has provided a professional, supportive home for hundreds of resident companies.<\/p>\n

Their creativity, determination, and achievements have shaped the region\u2019s innovation ecosystem and continue to inspire future founders.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Helen Gavin, Anne-Marie Gavin, Eoghan O\u2019Mara Kilbane, Mykola Avlas, Sorcha O\u2019Grady, Martin Parsons, Deborah Coyle, Tony O\u2019Kelly and Anne Walsh.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

The success of the Innovation Hub is also deeply rooted in its dedicated team.<\/p>\n

Over the years, staff have supported founders on every step of their journey, delivered high-quality programmes, and built the warm, collaborative environment that defines the ATU Innovation Hub today.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Maria Staunton, Manager of ATU iHub Mayo and Margaret Charlton of Enterprise Ireland.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

Collaboration has been central to its work, with strong partnerships across Mayo\u2019s State agency organisations.<\/p>\n

Together, they have delivered impactful initiatives such as Mayo Ideas Month, celebrating creativity, enterprise, and community. Events like Digital West, the Mayo Business Awards, and a wide array of business-focused workshops and gatherings have further strengthened the region\u2019s entrepreneurial landscape.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Frank Salmon of CMS Distribution, Lorraine Heskin of Gourmet Food Parlour and Harry Hughes of Portwest.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

ATU iHub Mayo has conceived and delivered other enterprise pilot programmes allowing wider access business supports in Mayo and the wider region.<\/p>\n

The iHub celebrated by having an event in Breaffy House with approx. 150 people registered.<\/p>\n

The theme for the evening was Starting, Growing and Scaling a Business and speakers on the panel included Harry Hughes from Portwest, Frank Salmon from CMS Distribution and Lorraine Heskin from The Gourmet Food Parlour.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Tony O\u2019Kelly, Turlough Rafferty, Michelle Lee, Ceola McLynn, Dr Orla Flynn, Chris O\u2019Malley, Maria Staunton, Brendan Jennings, Michael Gill, Kieran Ryan, Barbara O\u2019Shea and Anjalee Weerasinghe of Atlantic Technological University.
\n Photo by
\n Michael McLaughlin<\/p>\n

Some Alumni from the ihub also spoke including Vivienne Kyne from Sportlomo, Sorcha O Grady from Truckscience, Helen Gavin from Social Jam and Matt Conlon from Cytidel.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we mark 20 years of ideas, impact, and innovation, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of our journey\u2014our clients, partners, supporters, and staff,\u201d said Maria Staunton, manager of ATU iHub Mayo.<\/p>\n

“A wide range of companies have been supported through ATU iHub Mayo, for example Truckscience, BuyMedia, Sportlomo, Full Health Medical, Digital Doors, BrightBeam, Retail Stocktaking, Cytidel, Neuronic, Allergy Lifestyle, Superfolk and Cubbie to name but a few.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and continuing to shape a dynamic, innovative future for our region. Here\u2019s to the next chapter,” added Ms. Staunton.<\/p>\n

\n Published:
\n Thu 2 Apr 2026, 4:28 PM\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The ATU iHub in Mayo marked its 20th anniversary, celebrating two decades of support for entrepreneurship and innovation…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":562146,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[28,158],"class_list":{"0":"post-562145","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entrepreneurship","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-entrepreneurship"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=562145"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/562145\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/562146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=562145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=562145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=562145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}