GTC Origins

GTC was established in 1994

Galway Technology Centre was established in 1994 as a Social Enterprise in the wake of the closure of Digital Equipment Corporation to ‘encourage and support the development of  the indigenous technology based industry in Galway at the time. GTC acquired a reputation for the provision of flexible, high quality, serviced office space with a range of integrated technologies, facilities and supports. As a social enterprise, GTC has supported 300+ companies, 3000+ jobs, and €1.3bn GVA for the West region over the past 25 years.

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Our Vision…

…to be internationally recognized as a leader in accelerating innovation-driven enterprises onto a global scale.

GTC was established as a Social Enterprise with its initial mission & purpose as “encouraging and supporting the development of indigenous technology based industry in the Region”.  We believe in promoting enterprise, facilitating growth, and creating community.

GTC Timeline

  • 1994

    Galway Technology Centre was established in 1994 following the closure of Digital Corporation’s manufacturing plant in Galway. The Centre opened initially with 7 companies employing 26 people and continued to grow and service an ever expanding IT sector during the 1990’s.

  • 1994 – 1999

    Over 30 COMPANIES moved through the GTC incubating process, generating over 300 JOBS in the process.

  • 2000 – 2001

    In response to the need for better infrastructure and services, the Centre was completely re-developed into a 50,000 sq. ft. modern, state of the art Technology Centre and has continued to grow in the interim to service an extensive range of ICT and knowledge-based enterprises in the region.

  • 2003

    Background

    The Cube GTC’s desk incubation facility was launched with support from Galway County & City Enterprise Board to provide flexible, high quality, low cost space for start-ups. Services also included virtual office and hot desk options.

  • 2005

    HP supported IT lab added to the GTC to provide high quality training lab and meeting service in the Centre.

  • 2006

    GTC are the first enterprise to utilise fibre based broadband services from the Galway Metropolitan Area Network.

  • 2007

    O’Briens open on-site sandwich bar to provide additional catering services to GTC clients.

  • 2008

    GTC join forces with CISCO to install new VOIP telephony network to enhance the range of voice and data services available to clients.

  • 2009

    GTC runs very successful Enterprise Forum for Start-ups with support of Enterprise Ireland, Galway Chamber and WESTBIC.

  • 2010

    BioWare (a Division of Electronic Arts) locate in GTC on a temporary basis to commence recruitment for their Customer Center of Excellence and Network Operations Center.

  • 2013

    GTC launches new support packages for start-up business with it’s Virtual Office service including business address, telephone number and call answering service.  An Taoiseach Enda Kenny visits the centre as the guest of honour at the re-launch of GTC for its 20th anniversary.

  • 2014

    A €360K investment in upgrades is started. The investment programme will be carried out over three years. Phase one includes refurbishment of meeting rooms and public areas and the installation of new air conditioning systems.

  • 2014 – 2016

    As part of the GTC mission, the GTC board was more than willing to provide support offering operational and governance services to GCID/Portershed as they were first being set up. 

     

  • 2015

    The completion of the second phase of a €360K investment is announced. This phase included the installation of a new platform lift at reception and the launch of thekitchen@gtc, a new shared multifunctional space.

  • 2016 – 2018

    Upgrade of The Mezzanine Seminar & Event Space. Upgrade of meeting and training rooms to include DryWipe Walls & Interactive Screens.

  • 2018

    Harvest @ Druid

    Inaugural Harvest panel event hosted by GTC at the Mick Lally Theatre brings together leaders from Industry, Sport, Culture into the venue. Launch of Alumni Video Series showcases past GTC member companies; Storm Technologies, ExOrdo, Mathworks, and IPSwith.

  • 2019

    Academy West

    Planning permission received for 20,000 sqft extension to current building to be rolled out with additional supports for ICT companies under the program, AcademyWest@GTC. GTC launches a new website and new branding following 25 years of successfully supporting the ICT sector in the west of Ireland.

  • 2021

    #Scaling Our Legacy – A celebration of 25 years of Galway Technology Centre and the look to the future.

    Scaling Our Legacy

Our Partners

Galway Chamber
West Bic
Enterprise Ireland
Local Enterprise Office
IDA Ireland
Nacec
Cisco
Zenotec
iTag
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Plannet 21