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SBD International Innovation Summit October 13th & 14th

Register for one day or both days: Register Here

We are pleased to invite you to the Sandyford Business District International Innovation Summit 2026, taking place in Block G, Central Park Leopardstown, D18 NH10, on October 13th and 14th 2026, with half-day sessions each day.

This year’s Summit will bring together a powerful mix of local and international leaders shaping the future of innovation, including representatives from the European Association of Business Innovation Districts, national and EU government, investors, academia and key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Together, we will continue advancing the ambition of Sandyford Business District to position itself as one of Europe’s leading innovation districts.

The 2026 Summit will also feature interactive working sessions designed to ensure active participation, collaboration and practical takeaways that can be applied directly within your organisation.

AGENDA:

DAY 1: Tuesday October 13th: Business Districts & Innovation

12:00 Registration (a light lunch will be provided)

1:00 Welcome & Introduction to Sandyford’s Innovation Campus

An Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Saul

Paul Kennedy (Director of Economic Development, DLRCC)

Ger Corbett (CEO, SBD)

1:15 Keynote: Adrian Weckler

Business & Innovation Districts play a vital role for regional and national economic wellbeing. They represent a significant proportion of the economy, convene a wide swath of stakeholders, promote innovation, and help ensure liveability and prosperity at a local level. Working together, within and across Europe, they can course correct our economic woes.

1:30 Plenary Panel: Sandyford’s Role in a Fast-Changing International Context

Sandyford seeks to be a premier European business and innovation district. It has committed to help lead the emergence of the European Association of Business & Innovation Districts (EABID). What foundation stones and priorities must be in place for Sandyford, indeed any EU District, to respond to today’s pressing needs?

Moderator: Adrian Weckler

Panel: Anne Devine (Deputy Chief Executive, DLRCC), Tasos Vasiliadis (Founder, JOIST Innovation Park), Conor Simpson (Regional Manager for MidEast & Dublin, IDA), Ger Corbett (CEO, SBD), Dr. Aawatif Hayar (Professor UM6P, Former Minister), Local Startup Founder

2:30 Workshop Orientation

Theme Champions will describe why their themes are so vital, the challenges they seek to address to and what outputs to deliver – with participants’ assistance – as context setting for all. Each theme moderator will briefly present their workshop.

Presenter: Graham Colclough

2:45 Parallel Theme Workshops (Round 1)

Theme 1: Supporting Sandyford’s Businesses

Explore how Sandyford’s SME community can collaborate and co-create cutting-edge, AI-enabled business solutions, exploiting the Innovation Campus asset, to understand how shared development can drastically cut costs, boost productivity, and improve business and staff outcomes. Inspired by a proven showcase from Whitworths UK, this practical session seeks to explore and secure “in principle” local commitment to develop a local demonstrator, that can help lead the way to safely exploiting AI’s potential across your entire business.

Moderator: Ger Corbett (CEO, SBD). Champions: Paul Dermody (CEO, HRI & SBD Board), Dan Kilper (Trinity College Dublin), Audrey Stenson (Head of Business & Psychology Department, IADT), Roland Storti (Founder, Minfo), Sascha Knopp (Cofounder, PUSH Forward), Fergus de Búrca (Managing Director, Phone Neue Ltd)

Theme 2: Promoting Investment (VC, PE, Real Estate, Infrastructure)

Hear from operators and investors across venture capital, university venture building, private equity, real estate and infrastructure on how they size up a local market before they commit. Then turn the lens on yourself: how would your ideal investor rate your market? And which partners beyond your own sector could make you, and the district, more investable?

Moderator: Ryan McHenry (Partner, Three Mast Group). Champions: Cyril McGuire (CEO, Infinity Capital & SBD Board)

Stimulants: Liam Cronin (Director of Innovation, UCD), Abhinaya Chandrasekaran (Sr Investment Associate, EIT Urban Mobility), Paolo Carbone (Head of Public Transport Capital Programmes, TII), Cian O’Hora (Managing Director, Integrated Material Solutions), Ronan Webster (Managing Director, Henderson Park)

Theme 3: Influencing Competitiveness via National Innovation Blueprints

Help shape the future of European economic growth by joining key Irish and EU stakeholders to address the innovation gaps highlighted in the Draghi and Letta reports. Share, compare, and refine draft National Innovation Blueprints to build actionable recommendations at local to European levels. Help refine the vital influential role of Business Districts as convenors of business, public, academic, society, and private capital.

Moderator: Graham Colclough (Partner, UrbanDNA). Champions: Pierce Dargan (DLR Councillor, CEO Equine MediRecord, & SBD Board).

Stimulants: Tasos Vasileiadis (CEO, JOIST), Boris Tomas (Trinity College Dublin), Dr. Aawatif Hayar (Professor UM6P, Former Minister), Ronan Donagher (NED, ex World Rugby), Tomáš Šebesta (BIC Business Innovation Centre, Plzeň, CZ)

5:30 Plenary Catch-Up, Day 2 Plans & Drinks

The opportunity for all participants to understand what is emerging across all three themes, and ready for further action in Day 2.

DAY 2: Wednesday October 14th: Taking Action

A short recap for each Theme to ensure orientation and readiness for action planning

9am Registration/Tea/Coffee

9:30 Parallel Theme Workshops (round 2) – From Ideas to Action

Further developing each theme, ensuring recommendations and practical actions emerge

11.30 Plenary Feedback Panel (Theme Champions & Moderators)

This will share forward commitments for each theme, and seek individual feedback and material personal commitments

12:30 Closing (a light lunch will be provided)