Dungarvan Enterprise Centre – Understanding the State of Play of the Digital Ecosystem

The Dungarvan Enterprise Centre (DEC) is dedicated to building a digitally empowered, adaptive, and sustainable business ecosystem in Dungarvan and West Waterford. At the heart of this mission is a cutting-edge digital hub that provides remote working spaces, training, incubation, and innovative digital services.

To achieve this vision, DEC recognises the importance of thoroughly understanding the local digital landscape, identifying existing gaps, challenges, and specific digital needs. This knowledge is essential for effectively supporting entrepreneurs, businesses, and the broader civic community in adopting and advancing digital innovation. In pursuit of this goal, DEC sought the expertise and support of EDIH ENTIRE to drive its digital transformation efforts and bring its vision to life.

ENTIRE EDIH has been instrumental in supporting the Dungarvan Enterprise Centre (DEC) through discovery workshop engagements to identify the current state of digital play in the West Waterford region where DEC resides.

The initial face-to-face workshop between DEC and an EDIH researcher pinpointed key areas DEC wanted to explore, namely the current state of digital play in the locality. The engagement involved independent study by the EDIH researcher, covering aspects such as population demographics, including educational attainment, adult dependency ratios, and employment rates, while also identifying the industries present in the catchment area. This analysis also provided a historic comparison, focusing on trends in population, education, and employment, to highlight growing trends and emerging industries.

A consultation workshop followed to present the findings to DEC, which led to the need for identifying similar European Innovation Centres as precedents for the approach DEC aims to implement. This also involved evaluating how investments in similar Innovation Centres were most effectively utilized.

This is invaluable information for DEC, as it offers a comprehensive view of the digital landscape, highlighting both technical and business gaps and challenges. The insights will actively contribute to DEC’s future digital transformation strategy, ultimately benefiting the organisation and the community it serves by creating a competitive and sustainable digital capability in the region.

This process is currently being followed up with a focus group workshop involving DEC board members, as well as local enterprise representatives and client industries that DEC aims to engage.

The following measurable outcomes and impacts have been achieved:

1. Providing DEC with the capability to advance its digital transformation, enabling it to offer a dedicated digital facility for nascent, emerging, and existing entrepreneurs within the locality.

   • This outcome was achieved through the deliverable report on the Current State of Digital Play, presented by the EDIH researchers. The report identified key sectors such as smart agriculture, fisheries, artisan food providers, and burgeoning IT companies that DEC can engage with.

2. Facilitating coworking and remote working spaces, skills training, digital assessments, and a digital incubator utilizing cutting-edge technologies.

   • DEC’s investment in these facilities is expected to foster the growth of small companies, which can, in turn, lead to the consolidation of industry sectors within the area. Successful companies are likely to attract other businesses, reinforcing the local ecosystem. Furthermore, the skills training provided will position DEC as a recognised innovation hub, benefiting both resident companies and those seeking to enhance their digital presence.

3. Strengthening connections to higher education institutions (HEIs) and research centers in Munster and beyond.

   • DEC provides a platform for entrepreneurs and technologists from HEIs to pursue their business ideas as startups. Long-term investment in these connections will cultivate a culture of innovation and transformation from ideation to product, attracting further investment into both DEC and the region as a whole.

4. Enhancing and transforming regional businesses through technology and data.

   • Research conducted by the EDIH consortium partner as part of the 'Current State of Digital Play' service identified innovation centers with similar business models. These case studies set a precedent for transforming regional businesses through digitalisation initiatives focused on local enterprises.

5. Advancing DEC’s digital transformation in the offerings and services it provides to its community, keeping them aligned with the latest digital advancements.