Platform94, the west of Ireland’s largest innovation hub, has announced a new international partnership with Sister, Manchester’s £1.7bn innovation district, establishing a dedicated Manchester base for Irish scaling companies through a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations.
The 12-month agreement provides Platform94 community members with reciprocal complimentary access to workspace at Sister, creating a “home away from home” for founders exploring or expanding into the UK market. In return, Sister customers will gain access to desk space and soft-landing supports at Platform94 in Galway, strengthening cross-border collaboration between two of Europe’s most dynamic regional tech ecosystems.
The partnership is designed to reduce barriers to international growth and provide practical, on-the-ground support for companies navigating early UK market entry. Key elements of the agreement include:
· Reciprocal workspace access: Free, short-term desk bookings for customers of both hubs.
· Market entry support: Streamlined pathways for Irish companies scaling into the UK and UK companies entering Ireland.
· Knowledge exchange: Direct collaboration between founders, teams and innovation communities in Galway and Manchester.
The announcement comes as Platform94’s latest 2026 Business Outlook shows that the UK is the primary target market for expansion in the coming year, outpacing the Irish domestic market target.
Manchester is the UK’s largest tech hub outside London and the fastest-growing tech city in Europe, home to more than 10,000 digital businesses. Since launching in 2024, Sister has supported more than 50 startups across AI, sustainability, healthtech and advanced materials.
Galway continues to strengthen its position as a global innovation centre, hosting eight of the world’s top 10 medtech companies including Medtronic and Boston Scientific. Since 1994, Platform94 has grown to 11 times its original size, supporting more than 500 companies on site, enabling over 4,500 jobs and contributing more than €2bn in GVA to the regional economy. The organisation also leads ‘SCALE by Platform94, growing a regional community of scaling business leaders across the west and northwest of Ireland, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland.
“Both Greater Manchester and Galway are home to thriving digital and tech sectors, with shared strengths in areas like AI and medical technologies," said Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester. "During our recent trade mission to Ireland we explored opportunities for further collaboration and it’s great to see those discussions result in this partnership, which is all about helping innovative companies work together and access new markets.
"Many Irish companies have chosen Greater Manchester as their UK base, and by strengthening our offer we can make that process more straightforward for the next wave of businesses looking to expand here, meaning more investment and more jobs created in our city region.”
Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, added: “Manchester and Ireland share a deep connection that goes back centuries, and moments like this show how that relationship continues to deliver real economic value for both regions. Sister is establishing itself as a globally connected innovation district, and this signing with Platform94 reflects that. Irish businesses are drawn to Manchester for our innovation ecosystem and access to world-class talent and by connecting two leading innovation hubs, we’re making it easier for ambitious companies on both sides to collaborate, share expertise and scale successfully while creating opportunities for our residents.”
Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94, said: “Eighty per cent of our community leaders are targeting new or continued growth in the UK over the next 12 months. While ambition is strong, the cost of expansion remains the number one challenge for founders scaling internationally.
"This partnership directly addresses that reality by reducing friction at the earliest stages of market entry - providing trusted space on the ground, access to local networks, and practical support that helps companies test, land and scale with confidence," Ms Donnellan added. "By connecting Galway and Manchester, we’re creating a tangible pathway for ambitious businesses to move faster, collaborate more deeply, and unlock new opportunities on both sides.”
Liz Bamber, director of place at Sister said: “This partnership is more than sharing desks; it’s about supporting businesses to grow and expand, and share talent, ideas and ambition. By linking Sister and Platform94, we are creating a frictionless environment for entrepreneurs to scale across borders, enter new markets, and leverage industry experts. The University of Manchester’s world-class talent and resources will also be connected through its dedicated innovation arm, Unit M. Ultimately, we are forging a path where we can benefit from each other's unique regional specialisms.”
Laura Brocklebank, UK Manager at Enterprise Ireland, highlighted the importance of Platform94, which is supported by Enterprise Ireland, as a technology-scaling hub for the west of Ireland. She said the newly announced partnership would “align the vibrant innovation ecosystems of Galway and Manchester and further support the pathway for innovative Irish companies to build meaningful connections in Manchester, when they are ready to take that next step.
"The UK is the largest country market for Irish exporters and Enterprise Ireland through our offices in Manchester, London and Scotland is focused on supporting clients to enter and scale in the UK market,” Ms Brocklebank added.
To mark the signing, Sister hosted a showcase event in Manchester with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester; representatives of Enterprise Ireland, Manchester Investment Development Agency Service, Skillnet Innovation Exchange and a number of Platform94 members currently scaling into the UK market.
