The strength of the island of Ireland’s thriving innovation ecosystem and cluster organisations have been showcased to TCI Network, the leading global network of clusters and innovation ecosystems around the world, ahead of its prestigious global conference which is being held in Dublin in October 2025.
The 28th TCI Global Conference hosted by InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, is a joint-all island initiative under the all-island clustering strand of the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme. This is the first time the three economic agencies will be working collaboratively for the mutual benefit of both economies on the island, and it is also the first time in the conference’s 28-year history that it will work across borders, showcasing the unique offering that the island of Ireland presents.
TCI Network CEO, Patricia Valdenebro had the opportunity to experience the strength of some of the current cluster organisations across the island, including the Advanced Technologies in Manufacturing (ATIM) and Northern Ireland’s Maritime and Offshore (NIMO) clusters, during a three-day visit and tour.
Speaking about the visit, Patricia said:
The TCI Global Conference is TCI Network’s flagship annual event, and our aim for this year’s conference is to leave a legacy on the island, whilst also showcasing the expertise across Ireland and Northern Ireland to a global audience. The strength of the clusters has been evident throughout my visit, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience first-hand the thriving cluster ecosystems across both jurisdictions.
In an era of technological leaps, climate urgency, geopolitical shifts, and global interdependence, clusters and collaborative networks are stepping up. They are the engines of transformation: anchoring resilience, accelerating green innovation, and building bridges across borders to keep our economies open, dynamic, and competitive.
TCI is at the frontier of clustering, and we want to bring our expertise and best practice of managing cluster initiatives and designing transformative policies to attendees who will travel from all over the globe. With InterTradeIreland’s experience in clustering, they are leading on the dynamic development of an informative and beneficial conference programme that will offer invaluable insights to attendees.
Attendees to the conference will have the opportunity to see the cutting-edge work and collaboration that is currently taking place across the island’s two jurisdictions, through participation in dedicated cluster tours. They will hear from world-class cluster experts and thought leaders about how clusters can help build partnerships, encourage innovation and growth at a faster rate, and strengthen prosperity. The conference will offer valuable resources and practical tools on best practice in cluster management, as well as exploring cluster policies.
The 28th TCI Global Conference is taking place in the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin from 14th to 16th October 2025. You can find more information on TCI Network here.
