TU Dublin Launches €13.6 Million ARISE Programme to Drive SME Innovation and Economic Growth Across Eastern and Midlands Region

Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) today launched a transformative €13.6 million initiative, ARISE – Amplifying Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise, which aims to revolutionise the way Irish industry and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access research, innovation, and expert support. Funded by the European Union and the Government of Ireland, ARISE is designed to catalyse economic growth and competitiveness in the Eastern and Midlands Region by bridging the gap between academic research and real-world industry challenges. 

The programme offers industry access to TU Dublin’s cutting-edge facilities, Ireland’s largest concentration of academic researchers in a technological university, and a team of innovation specialists who will help businesses improve processes, develop new products, and build resilient, future-proof operations. ARISE focuses on five key sectors that are crucial to Ireland’s innovation economy: 

• Biopharma, Life Sciences and Medical Technologies
• Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
• Food, Agritech and the Bioeconomy
• ICT and Financial Services
• Audio-Visual, Creative and Cultural Industries.

ARISE will play a critical role in promoting regional economic resilience, especially in the Eastern and Midlands Region, which has a diverse mix of urban hubs and rural communities. By embedding innovation support in these regions, TU Dublin is helping to level the playing field for industry, particularly SMEs outside traditional tech clusters. 

President of TU Dublin, Dr Deirdre Lillis, said:  

TU Dublin is deeply embedded in the region’s enterprise ecosystem and ARISE is a perfect example of how we are deepening and accelerating the university’s role, not just as a place of learning, but as a key driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, and real-world problem-solving. Whether it’s an early-stage agri-food startup or a med-tech scale-up, we are here to help Irish businesses turn smart ideas into real-world impact.” 

TU Dublin has long been recognised as a leader in translational research, with more than 1,000 researchers and innovation professionals working in close collaboration with enterprise and government partners. 

Vice President for Research & Innovation, TU Dublin, Dr Brendan Jennings, said:  

Over the past decade, TU Dublin has supported over 700 companies through innovation vouchers, knowledge transfer, industry-focused research, and start-up acceleration. ARISE marks the next evolution, building structured, long-term partnerships between our researchers and industry to drive impactful innovation within regional ecosystems

Businesses selected to participate in ARISE will benefit from: 

• Tailored Innovation Roadmaps: Bespoke support plans aligned with each SME’s business model, sector, and growth ambitions
• Access to Advanced Research Facilities: Including robotics and automation labs, cleanroom biotech spaces, and TU Dublin’s immersive media studios
• One-to-One Research Clinics: Expert advice on challenges such as product development, digital transformation, supply chain innovation, and regulatory pathways
• Pilot and Prototyping Support: Hands-on assistance to rapidly test new product or process ideas
• Funding Navigation: Help accessing EU, national, and regional innovation grants
• By demystifying academic collaboration and delivering tangible, measurable outcomes, ARISE makes research work for business.

Backed by €13.6 million in funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Government of Ireland, ARISE is a flagship model for EU–university–enterprise collaboration. It aligns with national goals under Ireland’s Innovation 2023–2027 Strategy and EU Cohesion Policy priorities, particularly in fostering smart specialisation and green transformation. 

For more information on Research and Innovation at TU Dublin click here.

ARISE is currently open for expressions of interest from SMEs and will begin showcasing sector specific success stories through a national media and digital campaign. See ARISE news here.