Innovate. Collaborate. Scale.

Building on the wider From Ireland to Europe: Connecting Enterprises to Manufacturing Innovation event and Ibec Manufacturing Day, the session will explore how EDIHs can work together to help manufacturing companies access specialist expertise, test and adopt digital technologies, identify relevant support services, and connect with partners beyond their home market. Participants will hear a real-world customer journey and good practice from AI EDIH Hungary, before taking part in a structured matchmaking exchange focused on capabilities, SME needs and collaboration opportunities.

The discussion is designed to be action-oriented: identifying useful referrals, joint activities, pilot opportunities, knowledge exchange and early-stage project ideas that can strengthen the European support available to manufacturers.

What You Will Gain

• Insight into a practical EDIH customer journey and lessons from AI EDIH Hungary.

• A clearer view of the specialist services, technologies and sector expertise available across the European EDIH ecosystem.

• Direct connections with Irish and European EDIHs, research and technology organisations, clusters and innovation partners.

• Opportunities to identify cross-border referrals and support pathways for manufacturing SMEs.

• Potential partners for joint pilots, knowledge-sharing activities, collaborative services and future project development.

• Clear next steps to convert introductions made during the session into purposeful follow-up actions.

What to Expect

Expect a concise opening perspective followed by a facilitated, highly participative matchmaking conversation. The session creates space for participants to introduce their capabilities, articulate the needs they see among SMEs, and identify where collaboration across Ireland and Europe can deliver practical value.

This session supports the event’s wider objective of helping Irish manufacturers access European expertise, partnerships and innovation opportunities as they pursue digital, sustainable and competitive growth.

Who Should Attend

• Representatives of Irish and European Digital Innovation Hubs.

• Manufacturing SME support organisations and enterprise-development agencies.

• Research and technology organisations with relevant digital-manufacturing, AI, data, sustainability or automation expertise.

• Cluster managers, industry associations and innovation intermediaries.

• EU-funded project partners and ecosystem organisations seeking complementary delivery partners.

• Manufacturing-focused service providers interested in referrals, joint programmes or cross-border pilot activity.

• Policymakers and stakeholders working to improve SME access to innovation supports across Europe.

Agenda

• 14:30–14:35 | Welcome and session framing

  John Cosgrove, TUS, introduces the objectives, participants and expected outcomes.

• 14:35–14:45 | Opening perspective from AI EDIH HU

  Katalin Dunay shares a practical customer journey and good practice from the Hungarian EDIH.

• 14:45–15:10 | EDIH and ecosystem matchmaking exchange

  Participants briefly share relevant capabilities, SME needs and opportunities for cross-border cooperation.

• 15:10–15:25 | Priority connections and collaboration opportunities

  Identify referrals, joint activities, pilots, knowledge exchange and potential project ideas.

• 15:25–15:30 | Summary and next steps

Registration

Early registration is recommended. Spaces are limited to ensure high-quality engagement for all attendees.

Please register via the below form.