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Boost for Women's Entrepreneurship as Trio of Programmes Launch as part of Shared Island Enterprise Scheme
The opportunity to unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs across the island has been given a boost with the announcement that InterTradeIreland, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, is launching three new programmes to enable women-led businesses to grow, innovate and scale. The suite of programmes, set to commence at the start of 2026, will support women entrepreneurs at every stage, from early ventures to scaling already established businesses. Participants will gain access to expert mentorship, tailored support, workshops and networking opportunities that will accelerate their business growth. The three new programmes, supported by the Shared Island Enterprise Scheme funded by the Government of Ireland, include: WeBuild - A tech programme designed to empower women entrepreneurs to accelerate their tech-driven business ideas, and develop tech-enabled ventures focusing on innovation, AI learning and building strong, future-ready businesses. This programme is delivered by TechFoundHer. WeGrow - A growth programme for established women-led SMEs who are aiming for growth and expansion across the island and seeking to reflect on their business potential. This programme is delivered by Women in Business NI and Network Ireland. WeScale - A scaling programme dedicated towards empowering women entrepreneurs to scale strategically and sustainably, blending world-class learning, bespoke mentoring and investor access. This programme is delivered by AwakenHub. Speaking about the launch of the new programmes, Michelle Billham, Assistant Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at InterTradeIreland, said: "We are proud to lead the way in supporting women's entrepreneurship across the island. InterTradeIreland, in collaboration with our key delivery partners, is delighted to facilitate the delivery of these new programmes to empower women-owned businesses to scale operations, secure investment, and enhance leadership for international expansion, ultimately leading to increased confidence and market entry readiness for participants." Mary Gormley, Head of Entrepreneurship at Invest Northern Ireland, said: "We recognise the extraordinary potential, innovation, and resilience that women entrepreneurs bring to our economy, and we are delighted to be working in partnership to support women's entrepreneurship. "Driving entrepreneurship through collaborative working is central to economic growth. Alongside Invest NI's Ambition to Grow: Supporting Women programme, these new programmes will empower our women entrepreneurs to start, grow and scale their businesses and connect them with other ambitious female founders across the island. "By providing targeted support and fostering an inclusive business environment, the programmes will bolster our work to increase the number of female entrepreneurs and help them to unlock new global opportunities and create good jobs." Carol Gibbons, Head of Entrepreneurship at Enterprise Ireland, said: "Enterprise Ireland is committed to encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting female entrepreneurs in achieving their growth ambitions in international markets. As part of our commitment to diversity, we are passionate about ensuring women founders have the support they need to succeed. Together with InterTradeIreland and Invest Northern Ireland, we are delighted to announce the Women Entrepreneurship programme aimed at ambitious women looking to take their businesses to the next level. This trio of programmes engages participants with insights and experiences to succeed and provides the right connections to strengthen and accelerate their business." Applications for WeBuild, WeGrow and WeScale are now open. For more information on the programmes or to apply, visit https://intertradeireland.com/entrepreneurship/womens-entrepreneurship-enquiry-form. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. ...
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New research finds a more balanced public mood on AI and employment
A new national survey challenges the popular narrative that Irish people are largely fearful of AI, and uncovers a clear generational divide in attitudes toward it. When asked about AI and employment, the survey of 1,039 adults - conducted by Ipsos B&A on behalf of Irish tech company, the UX Design Institute - shows 41 per cent expressed a negative view, 31 per cent were positive, and 28 per cent were neutral. This suggests that while concern exists, 59 per cent are neutral or positive, indicating that most people do not see AI as an inevitable threat to jobs and are keeping an open mind about its impact. Positivity towards AI is strongest among younger adults: 42 per cent of 16-24-year-olds feel positive about AI's impact on jobs, compared with just 22 per cent of those aged 50 and over. The research also shows that AI tools have gone mainstream in Irish workplaces, with 65 per cent of employees saying they now use them in their jobs at least occasionally, and 14 per cent using them daily. This rises to 20 per cent for 16-24 year olds. "The conversation about AI and jobs has become dominated by fear," said Colman Walsh, CEO of the UX Design Institute, which has recently launched a suite of AI courses for those working in the digital space. "But our data shows a more balanced reality. Yes, some are cautious but most people are open-minded or optimistic about its potential impact. They're curious, not panicked." "That's a very healthy place for Ireland to be as we navigate this technological shift." Only 35 per cent of all adults say they never use AI at work - a figure that drops to 24 per cent among 16-24-year-olds, but rises to almost half (48 per cent) among those aged 50 and over. This highlights how generational exposure is influencing adoption. However, only 15 per cent feel very confident they're using AI to its full potential. This drops to 6 per cent amongst those aged 50 and over, showing how older workers risk being left behind. Those who feel positive about AI and are confident using it are significantly more likely to be using it often in their work. 63 per cent say that training would be valuable. This rises to 71 per cent among desk-based workers, suggesting particularly strong demand for AI training among professionals in roles where these tools are most relevant. "Irish professionals are already using AI. They just want to get better at it," Walsh added. "The findings suggest a workforce that's keen to learn and experiment, but still figuring out how to make AI part of everyday work. The next step is helping people gain the confidence and skills to use it more effectively." To help address the confidence and skills gap revealed by the survey, the UX Design Institute has launched a new suite of live online certificate courses for digital teams to harness AI in their day-to-day work. "Our training programmes bridge the gap between curiosity and confidence," Walsh added. "They are designed for anyone working in digital who wants to stay up to speed with this new world." "With AI developing at an incredible pace, we've designed these courses to be delivered live, allowing us to respond quickly to new developments and emerging best practices." The new UX Design Institute courses cover customised AI training for teams working in the digital space as well as specialist courses covering AI for UX, user research and prototyping. See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you re...
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How satellites can help track climate adaptation
Satellite-based Earth observation provides a unique and powerful tool in tracking climate adaptation, an international study involving University of Galway researchers has shown. A team at the University's Ryan Institute is helping to pioneer new methods of combining data recorded from space with artificial intelligence to measure actions that help communities, ecosystems and infrastructure adjust to current and future climate impacts in the global agrifood sector. Title image details : captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-3 mission on 26 October 2025 shows the 'brightness temperature' at the top of Hurricane Melissa as it barrelled through the Caribbean Sea towards Jamaica. Credit - European Space Agency. Satellites to track climate adaptation The science behind it allows assessments of even the most remote agricultural regions in the world, where ground measurements are sparse or too challenging. The findings feature in a European Space Agency (ESA)-led study, published this week in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science to coincide with COP30. The researchers mapped the potential for Earth observation in supporting different targets in the framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA), a key action under the Paris Agreement from 2015, which aims to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate impacts. Their analysis found that many of the most critical changes to climate, known as Essential Climate Variables (ECVs), can be directly used to understand and support climate adaptation action. Focusing on four key sectors - agriculture, biodiversity, extreme events and health - the study reveals how space-based data offers something no other monitoring system can provide: truly global coverage with objective and repeatable measurements spanning up to 60 years. Professor Aaron Golden, research team leader at the University's Ryan Institute and co-author of the study, said: "The analysis highlights the vital and unique role satellites play in supporting the Paris Agreement's Global Goal on Adaptation. The knowledge capability of consistent, long-term observations offers policymakers tools to measure progress and identify regions at risk." The research team highlighted concrete applications of earth observation science across four key themes: Agriculture: satellites monitor water productivity, irrigation efficiency, and crop migration patterns. Biodiversity conservation: platforms like Global Mangrove Watch and Global Forest Watch provide crucial geospatial information on ecosystem extent and changes. Extreme events: satellites characterise flood extent, drought anomalies and urban heat islands at scales impossible with ground-based stations alone. Health sector: Earth observation data on land surface temperature and air quality inform heat exposure assessments and disease outbreak forecasting. Dr Sarah Connors, Climate Applications Scientist at ESA, the study's lead author said: "Earth observation data should be considered as an integral part of the Global Goal on Adaptation indicators. Our research demonstrates that satellite data can inform adaptation tracking across many sectors, but it must be integrated into the indicator framework from the outset - as experience with the Sustainable Development Goals shows, it's much harder to introduce later." Professor Frances Fahy, Director of the University of Galway's Ryan Institute, said: "This research exemplifies the world-class, impact-driven research emerging from the Ryan Institute and our growing Geospatial Centre. By using satellite Earth observation data to better understand and track global climate adaptation, Professor Golden's work reinforces the vital role that cutting-edge interdisciplinary research plays in addressing the climate crisis and shaping international climate policy." Professor Golden added: "I am delighted the impact our research in quantifying climate adaptation in food production using AI and earth observation data has had in providing a direct ...
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New sustainability initiative to assist Wind Turbine Blade Recycling
Northern Ireland based Plaswire, a leader in recycling solutions, has announced a groundbreaking initiative that uses blockchain, IoT and AI technology to revolutionise the recycling of wind turbine blades, unlocking a seismic opportunity for other sectors, including aerospace. Wind Turbine Blade Recycling Partnering with digital trade specialist company ubloquity, the new system sets a new global standard for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, delivering transparent and granular traceability for Plaswire's RX polymer - a recycled composite material derived from decommissioned wind turbine blades. This marks the world's first application of blockchain to track and verify recycled polymers throughout the entire lifecycle, from blade collection to reuse. Andrew Billingsley, CEO of Plaswire, explains: "By 2035, millions of wind turbine blades installed in the 2000s and 2010s will reach the end of their 20-30 year lifespan, creating millions of tonnes of composite waste. Europe alone is expected to generate around 350,000 tonnes of end-of-life blades by 2030 - this presents both a significant challenge and opportunity for sustainable recycling and circular economy solutions, such as those pioneered by Plaswire. "This collaboration with ubloquity marks a major step forward for the recycling of wind turbine blades. For the first time, we can provide complete transparency on the journey of every kilogram of our RX polymer, from its origin in decommissioned wind turbine blades to its next life in new products - all in real-time. That level of traceability is transformative for industries under increasing pressure to cut their environmental impact and achieve ambitious sustainability goals. We are particularly excited about the opportunities this creates for the aerospace and defence sectors where the highest levels of traceability and transparency are not just desired; they are essential." Working with the major global wind developers, Plaswire fully recycles wind turbine blades into durable RX polymer, which is then used for construction, packaging, logistics parts and furniture. With this new blockchain solution added to the process, the company offers its extended customer base a fully traceable, sustainable solution supporting the principles of the circular economy. Rick Atherton, Technical Project Manager at ubloquity, added: "Trust and transparency are essential if recycled materials are to be widely adopted. By implementing our digital product passport (DPP) and combining Plaswire's processing and shop floor recycling data, we can demonstrate exactly where their polymer originates and how it is reused. This gives industries the confidence to choose recycled composites over virgin materials and helps them deliver on their sustainability commitments." Plaswire believes this solution could extend beyond the energy sector, particularly into aerospace, where thousands of aircraft are expected to be retired over the next decade, producing significant volumes of composite waste. The company estimates that its new system could cut carbon emissions by 2.7 tonnes of CO? for every ton of material processed, significantly driving a circular economy. Dr Leslie Orr, Director of ADS Northern Ireland said: "Net Zero carbon is a key goal for the aerospace industry. It is great to see two Northern Ireland companies working together addressing a global issue. This recycling tracking solution from Plaswire and ubloquity is an innovative contribution to our industry, to recycling and to the environmental protection of our planet." About Plaswire Plaswire develops recycling solutions for hard-to-process materials such as wind turbine blades and aircraft interiors, creating new resources like RX Polymer to replace high-carbon virgin materials. Plaswire is deeply committed to the pursuit of a net-zero future, where every action and decision is guided by the principles of environmental responsibility. About ubloquity Based in B...
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HRLocker announces strategic partnership with Paycheck Plus by IRIS
HRLocker, Ireland's leading HRIS platform, has announced a strategic partnership with the country's premier payroll services provider, Paycheck Plus by IRIS, to deliver a seamless, end-to-end, integrated payroll and HR experience for SMEs across Ireland and the UK. By uniting HRLocker's management platform with Paycheck Plus's payroll expertise, the partnership addresses a critical gap in the SME market: a lack of integration between HR systems and payroll services. The seamless all-in-one solution eliminates data silos, streamlines processes, and ensures greater accuracy across the employee lifecycle. With a phased rollout in the fourth quarter of 2025, existing customers will benefit from the combined offering in the months ahead. Notably, SMEs will gain a single source of truth for employee data, automated information flow between HR and payroll, and synchronised processes that improve compliance while reducing errors. "This partnership is about giving SMEs clarity and confidence," said HRLocker CEO, Crystel Robbins Rynne. "HRLocker is focused on delivering the practical tools SMEs need to manage growth with accuracy and ease. By connecting HR and payroll into a single solution, we're enabling businesses to spend less time on admin and more time on their people." "Paycheck Plus's mission has always been to simplify payroll for businesses. Partnering with HRLocker extends that simplicity across the entire employee lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency for our clients," added IRIS Senior Director, Brona Grogan. "This collaboration reflects IRIS's commitment to improving the way people work by making business processes more efficient. Together, HRLocker and Paycheck Plus are setting a new standard for integrated HR and payroll in Ireland and the UK." As part of the new strategic partnership, HRLocker CEO Crystel Robbins Rynne and Paycheck Plus Lead Product Manager Niall Clarke hosted a free 45-minute webinar on Thursday 20th November at 11am. This informative and practical session will help employers understand and prepare for changing compliance demands arising from Ireland's auto-enrolment pension scheme, which begins on 1 January 2026. For more information, and to receive a recording of the webinar, visit: https://www.hrlocker.com/webinars/auto-enrolment-in-ireland See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
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