FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY

Nurturing Kildare’s emerging and established tech innovators, this Tech Cluster brings tech companies, start-ups, innovators and educators together with a collective goal to stimulate the tech sector across Kildare and into the mid-east region.

The cluster driven by Kildare LEO works closely with: MERITS, Enterprise Ireland ,Maynooth University ,Carlow IT ; Kildare Wicklow ETB; Wicklow and Meath Local Enterprise Office and the IDA. Across the regions of Kildare, Wicklow and Meath, the ‘Mid East Tech Cluster’ is driven by MERITS (Mid East Regional Innovation Thinkspace) and the Kildare Local Enterprise office.

2026 Tech Cluster Events: 

Pitch Pace

26^th February - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!5DXIVB

MERITS Tech Pre-Accelerator

April - https://submit.link/4l6

Idea Ignition

24^th September - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!5NC30C

MERITS Tech Pre-Accelerator

September- https://submit.link/4l6

TechConnect Sprint

29th October – https://www.localenterprise.ie/!STH1JE

Year End Strategy Session

3^rd December - https://www.localenterprise.ie/!SA6EP4

TECH MENTORS IN RESIDENCE 2026 - Click here to book

TECH INCUBATION

This Tech Cluster incubates new startup technology businesses by providing flexible desk space, along with bespoke business supports and training and by hosting industry specific networking opportunities.

The10 week MERITS Tech Pre Accelerator programme catapults these startup businesses to the next stage by helping founders secure their first customers, build an MVP and structure their revenue models.

TECH CLUSTER

The quarterly Tech Cluster meet up’s provide inspiration from founders who have built, sold, or currently run some of Irelands most successful companies in the technology sector.

For Scaling business, the supports are tailored for international trading, market expansion and financial assistance, along with fully serviced office space and access to smart meeting rooms.

These events also provide tech professionals and business leaders with regular opportunities to meet and network, before listening to presentations by indigenous and international technology companies.

Tech-focused business skills training, from perfecting the perfect pitch, to accessing finance and positioning for investment.

2026 Tech Cluster Events:

February 26th - Pitch Pace: Pitching Masterclass

March 2026: Investor Readiness Event

April 2026: Tech Pre-Accelerator Begins

24th September: Idea Ignition

October 2026: TechConnect Sprint

November: Destination Digital: A national tech in tourism event 

3rd December 2026: Year End Strategy Session for tech entrepreneurs/businesses

CREATECH @ MERITS

Our newest sub-cluster, building on the Digital Creative Industires Ireland Roadmap for the Mid-East Region, places focus on innovative content creation.

CreaTech brings together creative skills and emerging technologies to create new ways of engaging audiences and to inspire business growth and investment.

Building on the Creative Ireland Roadmap, CreaTech embraces the commercial and cultural possibilities of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, 5G, and other developing fields.

Click here to join our tech cluster