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One week on from the Sandyford International Innovation Summit 2026. So what stood out?

Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/NzuwEv8w9Ks

Last week, Sandyford Business District, in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, brought together leaders from business, investment, academia and the public sector for two days of discussion, collaboration and fresh thinking on the future of innovation.

Looking back, a few key takeaways really stood out.

• Innovation needs collaboration. Progress happens when business, academia, government and private capital work together. Breaking down silos and creating meaningful connections is essential to turning ideas into action.
• Investment is about more than funding. Alongside capital, businesses need access to expertise, mentorship, partnerships and the right support to grow. Creating the right environment for innovation is just as important as attracting investment.
• AI must deliver real-world value. For businesses, particularly SMEs, the opportunity lies in using AI to improve productivity, manage costs and achieve better outcomes.
• The right environment matters. Innovation thrives where complementary services, talent and expertise come together, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and growth.
• Sandyford has an opportunity to lead. Hosting the Summit in the building proposed for the Sandyford Innovation Campus brought the conversation to life. Seeing the space first-hand reinforced the potential to create a connected hub where innovative businesses can work, collaborate and grow.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway was the energy in the room. The conversations, connections and willingness to explore new ideas demonstrated the value of bringing different perspectives together around a shared ambition.

Now that the dust has settled, the real work begins!

We are bringing together the key insights, ideas and recommendations from the Summit in a summary document, alongside the next steps towards the realisation of the Sandyford Innovation Campus. We look forward to sharing this in due course as we build on the momentum generated and turn the conversations into meaningful action.

At SBD, we believe our role is to help make those connections happen - bringing businesses together, championing investment and helping shape a district where innovation can thrive.

The Summit may be over, but the conversations and plans are only beginning.

Thank you to DLRCC, our speakers, panellists, facilitators, partners and everyone who joined us and contributed to making the Summit such a success.

#WorkingTogether #Sandyford #Innovation #Investment #Collaboration #InnovationDistrict