Two Midlands based Technology Hubs have secured funding of €1.88 million under the 2025 Capital Equipment Call managed by Enterprise Ireland.

As a result of this investment, the capabilities of the successful Technology Gateways and Technology Centres – Irish Manufacturing Research in Mullingar, and Applied Polymer Technologies at TUS Athlone – will be enhanced, enabling them to deliver cutting-edge solutions to industry and support innovation across key sectors in the Midlands and beyond.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD commented:

“Research and innovation are the lifeblood that will fuel Ireland’s long-term competitiveness and bring us the technology and industries of the future. By investing in advanced equipment for our Technology Gateways and Technology Centres, we are giving Irish businesses the tools to turn ideas into market-ready solutions faster and with less risk. This is about building a stronger, more resilient economy powered by innovation, and building trusted relationships between industry and academia for the benefit of both.”

Managed by Enterprise Ireland, the Capital Equipment Call is designed to bridge the gap between existing capabilities and state-of-the-art technologies, ensuring Irish enterprises—particularly SMEs—can access world-class research infrastructure to accelerate product development and competitiveness. The two Midlands projects were among 7 project nationally to receive funding under the Call.

Enterprise Ireland CEO Jenny Melia added:

“Access to cutting-edge equipment is often the catalyst that allows a company to move from early-stage research to a commercially viable product. Through this call, we are strengthening the capability of our Technology Gateways and Technology Centres to deliver high-value solutions for Irish enterprises, particularly SMEs. These investments ensure that businesses can innovate with confidence, reduce development timelines, and compete at the highest level globally.”

Supporting research and innovation for Irish SME’s

The two Midlands projects funded under this call are:

• Irish Manufacturing Research, Mullingar – Femtosecond Laser Machining (€1,282,774)
• Applied Polymer Technologies (TUS Midlands) – Advanced 3D Printing Suite (€600,000)

Technology Centres and Technology Gateways provide complementary benefits to Irish enterprise. Technology Centres focus on medium-to-long-term, industry-led research in strategic sectors, helping companies collaborate on shared challenges and future-proof their businesses. Technology Gateways, on the other hand, deliver near-to-market solutions and rapid problem-solving for SMEs, offering access to expertise and equipment that accelerates product development and reduces risk. Together, they ensure businesses of all sizes can innovate, improve productivity, and compete globally.