TU Dublin Innovation: Demonstrating Impact in the 2024 Knowledge Transfer Survey
TU Dublin Innovation welcomed the release of the Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey (AKTS) 2024, underscoring the university’s strong contribution in research translation, innovation, and collaboration with both industry and the research community. The AKTS, compiled by Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) and Enterprise Ireland and in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority, provides a detailed snapshot of how Irish higher education institutions transform research activity into tangible products, services, new companies, and broad societal contributions.
TU Dublin Innovation continues to strengthen its performance across key indicators:
- 670+ Invention Disclosure Forms (IDFs)
- 150+ patent filings
- 20+ patents granted
- 260+ Licensing & Option Agreements (LOAs)
- 45+ spinout companies
- 650+ industry collaborations
With over 600 invention disclosures celebrated in 2024, and a growing list of spinouts and partners, TU Dublin exemplifies how a technological university can lead in both innovation and collaboration. TU Dublin’s work spans digital health, artificial intelligence, water safety, and infrastructure resilience, with researchers making clear contributions to Ireland’s economic growth and societal wellbeing.
Dr Paul Maguire, Head of Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at TU Dublin commented:
AKTS confirms that Ireland’s knowledge transfer system is stronger than ever. TU Dublin Innovation is proud to play a leading role working with TU Dublin researchers, SMEs, multinationals, and government partners to deliver innovations that drive economic growth, safeguard infrastructure, and improve quality of life.
The AKTS not only measures national performance but also highlights the stories behind successful commercialisation, with several TU Dublin case studies featured prominently in the 2024 survey.
StylAI – Generative AI for Smarter Fashion Retail
TU Dublin researchers have developed, in conjunction with StylAI (an innovative fashion tech SME), a generative AI platform supporting fashion retailers in personalising recommendations, optimising inventory management, and reducing returns. This collaboration demonstrates how TU Dublin research applies artificial intelligence to challenges in sustainability and consumer engagement, generating value for both SMEs and global markets.
Puritee – Empowering Water Safety
Puritee, a TU Dublin spinout founded by a former student, has developed pioneering water safety technology that helps communities identify contaminants in their local water supply and protect public health. Fully supported by TU Dublin Innovation, Puritee is a powerful example of how university spinouts can transform ideas into ventures with real societal impact and market promise.
These case studies illustrate how TU Dublin Innovation provides critical support, assisting researchers and industry in rapidly delivering solutions that benefit industry, communities, and society at large.
Collaborate with TU Dublin
Earlier this year, TU Dublin was awarded €32.21 million to host the ARC Hub for ICT, marking the first time a Technological University has led a national scale research hub. Directed by Professor Sarah Jane Delany, the ARC Hub for ICT aims to accelerate commercialisation in strategic ICT domains, including artificial intelligence, healthcare technologies, sustainability, and smart infrastructure. Dr Paul Maguire, stated:
The ARC Hub for ICT represents a step change in Ireland’s capacity to scale innovation and research translation. It anchors our leadership in ICT innovation and strengthens Ireland’s capacity to bring world-class research to market.
TU Dublin Innovation encourages businesses of all sizes to engage with Open Labs, a dedicated environment for research collaboration, prototyping, testing, and innovation support. Collaboration is central to effective knowledge transfer, and through funding and initiatives like the ARC Hub for ICT, the Enterprise Ireland Proof of Concept Fund - which provides early stage support for commercially promising research, and Open Labs, TU Dublin continues to open doors externa partners interested in research, innovation, and scaling new solutions.
Contact TU Dublin Innovation now via innovation@tudublin.ie to learn more.
TU Dublin Innovation is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27
