It came as very sad news to hear that the Digital Hub in Dublin is to be dissolved. It is currently home to over 30 technology companies and has been home to more than 400 companies since it was established.
The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) stated it was “deeply disappointed by the decision of the Government to dissolve the Agency following a recommendation by the Minister for Environment, Climate & Communications”.
In a statement Paul Holden, Chair of the Board stated “The Board of The Digital Hub was surprised to learn that the Agency is to be dissolved, and extremely disappointed that our ambition to build an enterprise cluster focused on e-health, climate action and other significant social and economic challenges, rooted in the local community, was not shared. We will endeavour to ensure the smooth transfer of responsibilities and the continuation of the regeneration activity in Dublin 8. Based on our discussion with the LDA, I am confident that it will work closely with the community to ensure that the DHDA property portfolio is developed for the benefit of Irish society.”
Since its foundation, the Hub has hosted over 400 companies, with well-known alumni including Amazon, Distilled Media Group (Daft.ie), Eventbrite, Etsy, Havok, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (Riverdeep), Kavaleer, Sonru, Slack and Stripe. There are 31 currently companies resident at The Digital Hub, who employ 270 people on the campus, and approximately 3,000 worldwide.
This is a huge lose to Dublin and to startups and entrepreneurs.