Dogpatch Labs expands with opening of redeveloped vaults

Ulster Bank and Dogpatch Labs, one of Ireland’s leading co­working spaces for tech start­ups have today announced a new partnership agreement. The deal will enable Dogpatch Labs to develop over 8,000 sq ft of new space in the historic 200 year old vaults below The chq Building. The redeveloped vaults will give not just Dogpatch Labs residents but also the wider tech community in Ireland a world class platform from which to host meetups, workshops, events and hackathons.

Neville Isdell the CHQ owner at the launch of the vaults, source Infomatique.

Patrick Walsh, Managing Director of Dogpatch Labs said, “?This initiative validates the current momentum of Dogpatch Labs and Dublin’s start­up ecosystem. Ulster Bank are stepping up and facilitating the construction of this most vital piece of infrastructure at the centre of Dublin’s start­up community. As a member of IBOS international banking network, Ulster Bank is a natural partner for us, and their involvement will make a real contribution to our resident companies abilities to scale internationally. The chq historic vaults sat at the beating heart of Irish commerce for over a century and with Ulster Bank’s support they’ll beat again at the heart of Ireland’s new generation of businesses.”

Enabling this new space will firmly embed Ulster Bank within Ireland’s rapidly growing technology ecosystem. For their part, the redeveloped vaults will also serve as an off­site ‘Innovation Hub’ for Ulster Bank, for workshops and showcase demonstrations. The deal also includes Ulster Bank’s innovation solutions team taking space in Dogpatch Labs to work shoulder to shoulder with the startups housed there. Ulster Bank will also use the vaults to continue its sustained outreach programme into the start­up community, the focus of which will be a series of events with, amongst others, a theme of innovation in FinTech.

Maeve McMahon, Director of Customer Experience and Product at Ulster Bank said, “?This isn’t a sponsorship for us – any organisation could put money into a venture – Dogpatch’s ethos exemplifies our ambition for Ulster Bank and supporting businesses to reach their potential. There is something unique about Dogpatch Labs – which can’t be articulated and we are delighted to be supporting the next stage of it’s development.”