The PorterShed is celebrating 4 successful years at the heart of Galway city and the business community in the West of Ireland. It is home to a range of innovation driven enterprises including FleetOps, Clearbookings, Video Sherpa, Herdeye, TheKnotWW. Other successful tech companies previously under this busy roof include Altocloud who joined with 16 employees, departed when their workforce grew to 45 and have now scaled up to 110. Rent the Runway, an IDA company that started out in the PorterShed grew quickly from 1 to 18 before moving to their permanent home in the Claddagh. Over four years The PorterShed has been home to 65 companies and supported the creation of over 750 jobs in the region.
THE PORTERSHED TEAM
“The team at AIB Galway are very proud to continue our engagement with the PorterShed, as main sponsor. This sponsorship is a key part of our drive to support the business life of our community, beyond the provision of banking services. We recognise and applaud the achievements of the PorterShed team including its recent Validator regional roadshow for early-stage start-up‘s and its Open for Business initiative (that highlighted local businesses which continue to serve customers during the Covid crisis). These recent initiatives supplement the long-term value created by the team in supporting the creation of hundreds of jobs over the last four years and really show the value that the PorterShed is adding to the economy in the West of Ireland. Go n-eiri libh go leir!” Evin Cusack, Head of AIB Galway & Mayo
In addition to a vibrant shared coworking space, the PorterShed offers additional communal spaces and services for all members including a lunch area and coffee dock, sharing refreshments and opportunities to meet fellow PorterShed members and community. The PorterShed creates an enhanced network of cross-sector contacts, peer-to-peer support, informal mentoring, access to VCs and Angel investors.
A range of events are held in the space throughout the year including launches, charity events and exhibitions. There have been a number of esteemed visitors to the PorterShed including An Taioseach Leo Vradkar, Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist Scott Nolan, Adrian Jones, Managing Director Goldman Saks and AIB CEO Colin Hunt, among others.
EXCITING PLANS FOR RELOCATION AND INCREASED CAPACITY
The current building has capacity for 130 members across 43 companies. Having recently received funding from Enterprise Ireland CEO Mary Rodgers reveals plans for a relocation to Market Street and much-needed increased capacity for the PorterShed members. “We will have two sites, a total capacity for 280 members and a dedicated event space. We are taking our learnings from the PorterShed to improve layout and accessibility. We know for sure there will be a Barista style coffee machine and we will definitely improve the comfort of our phone booths. The market street locations will be on multiple floors, that will be new for us and we are excited for more meeting rooms and breakout areas. It’s like growing up.”
If all goes to plan, Mary says that the company will move to this new location at Building One, the Warehouse in early 2021 and to their second building at The Connacht Tribune at the end of that year. “It is a privilege to work alongside board members and a team who are so committed and hardworking. We are very fortunate to have the support of AIB, KPMG and the WDC without whose support our expansion plans would not be viable. We work closely with Galway Chamber and Galway Technology Centre, with a shared vision for Galway – we are confident the best is yet to come. For more on members, services and events, visit Portershed.com
Portershed, Galway | © Superfly Ireland
