€16m ‘Work IQ’ Innovation Centre opening in Tallaght next spring will support creation of 700 jobs

A €16 million purpose-built innovation centre, Work IQ, situated in Tallaght’s newly developed Innovation Quarter, is on track to open early next year. Enquiries are now being taken at www.workiq.ie to register interest in becoming part of the Work IQ community through the various services on offer.

The four-storey, 2,980m2 building offers three floors of flexible office accommodation to support businesses, local entrepreneurs, start-ups or SMEs. The centre also features a range of communal facilities on the ground floor, including meeting rooms and a public café facing directly onto a stunning new urban plaza.

Work IQ will accommodate up to 60 businesses and play a major role in developing start-up enterprises in order to support the creation of over 700 jobs worth €80m to the economy. Key features of this cutting-edge facility designed as a hub for businesses that are serious about innovation, technology and scaling up will include:

· Private and shared office space and co-working options

· A variety of meeting and conference rooms and an on-site café

· Tailored business support, including training, mentoring, funding support and skills development

· Regular on-site networking events, workshops and innovation showcases

· Collaboration opportunities through partners including the Local Enterprise Office Enterprise Ireland, South Dublin Chamber, Technological University Dublin, Tallaght University Hospital and the South Dublin County’s many major multinational businesses

Work IQ will be the first Irish centre run by Oxford Innovation Space, the organisation responsible for managing the largest network of innovation centres in the UK, housing over 1,000 innovative early-stage businesses.

Speaking in advance of the opening of Work IQ, Colm Ward, Chief Executive of South Dublin County Council, said:

“Our new Work IQ facility will provide start-ups and entrepreneurs with workspaces and opportunities in a place designed to support business growth and development. It will be a hub for the community, businesses and entrepreneurs to come together and collaborate, innovate and progress in a really strong, supportive environment provided through our exciting partnership with Oxford Innovation Space.

We are passionate about fostering innovation, encouraging talent and providing support to young companies in the emerging Innovation Quarter in Tallaght to develop a pipeline of great new businesses with lots to offer Tallaght and South Dublin County.”

Strategically located on land owned by South Dublin County Council in Tallaght Town Centre, Work IQ is a key part of a new urban district called Innovation Quarter Tallaght being developed by the Council that also includes a new cost rental apartment scheme (which, along with Work IQ, will be served by the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, Heatworks) and a new public park called Innovation Square. The €16 million project is funded by the Council, with significant support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.

The building was designed for South Dublin County Council by a multi-disciplinary team led by McCullough Mulvin Architects and its delivery will complement a combined investment of over €80m in infrastructure projects in the centre of Tallaght, including the aforementioned Innovation Quarter, new link roads, major public realm enhancement, a fourth stand at Tallaght Stadium (making it a 10,000-seater, UEFA Category 4 stadium capacity) and a proposed new Heritage Centre.

“We are thrilled to bring the expertise of Oxford Innovation Space to Work IQ and Ireland,” said Jo Stevens, Managing Director, Oxford Innovation Space. “Our mission is to create an environment where innovative ideas flourish and entrepreneurs have the support they need to turn their visions into reality. We look forward to contributing to the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape and being a catalyst for economic growth in the Tallaght community.”

Work IQ is set to open in Spring 2024 and will mark a significant milestone in the Council’s mission to create spaces that inspire and empower the innovators of tomorrow.