The Oeiras delegation continued its institutional agenda on April 2 with a visit to the ENGINE Hub in Limerick, followed by a networking lunch with representatives of the business community and local institutional figures.
The ENGINE Hub, run by the Innovate Limerick initiative, is an innovation and entrepreneurship center that acts as a coworking space, incubator, and support for the development of technological and creative start-ups, with strong links to local universities and European innovation projects and is an example of how local authorities can create environments that are conducive to the growth of new businesses, boosting economic development and retaining talent.
During the visit, the delegation attended two presentations of high strategic interest, namely by Dennis Barry, Head of Innovate Limerick, who presented the mission, structure, and impact of the initiative, and demonstrated how a healthy articulation between the public sector, companies, and higher education institutions has promoted the urban and economic revitalization of Limerick. The Innovate Limerick model proved to be inspiring for Oeiras, a municipality that has been consolidating its position as a territory of innovation and international attractiveness.
For her part, Helen Ryan, Senior Enterprise Development Officer at Limerick Enterprise Office, detailed the local entrepreneurship support programs, including funding, capacity building, and mentoring for SMEs and start-ups. This integrated support approach for entrepreneurship was deemed a best practice for Portugal.
The visit was followed by a networking lunch attended by business representatives from the region, as well as prominent institutional leaders. This provided the Oeiras delegation with a valuable opportunity to establish direct contacts, exchange experiences, and identify potential synergies for collaboration in the areas of innovation, economic development, and public policies to support entrepreneurship,
The visit to the ENGINE Hub and the meetings with Limerick’s main innovation players were a milestone in this institutional mission, reinforcing OVIA and Oeiras City Council’s commitment to internationalization, territorial cooperation, and building solid bridges for the future of innovation in Portugal.
