Business, Innovation & Opportunities Across Inishowen and the North West
Welcome to the August edition of the ii Update, bringing together upcoming events, business supports, funding opportunities, training and research relevant to businesses and professionals in Inishowen and the wider North West.
📍What’s Happening at the ii
In-person ii event | ii Meetup | After-work meetup with drinks, snacks and chat, plus a TechTides update from Alastair Cameron | Thursday 3 September @ 5pm | Details and RSVP
In-person ii event | 🎓 Digital Skills Opportunities in Inishowen: From Survey to Solutions | ii, with IDP and NW DEPTH partners NWRC, Donegal ETB/Donegal College, Ulster University and ATU Donegal | Breakfast event sharing digital skills survey results and the relevant local digital training options. Open to SMEs, the self-employed and anyone interested in digital skills training opportunities – most of which are free! | Friday 18 September, doors open 8am, event starts 8:30am | Details and Registration
In-person ii event | Driving Innovation in Engineering, Manufacturing & Technology | Breakfast networking with speakers from PEM Technology Gateway, BORMAC and Momentum Tax Group on R&D and business support | Tuesday 20 October, 8:30am, at the ii | Details and Registration
Elsewhere in the region
In-person event | DisrupTech on Tour | Donegal stop on the national roadshow for the €40 million Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) Call 8: morning funding session plus an afternoon tour of ATU’s WiSAR Lab | Tuesday 1 September, Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny (morning) and WiSAR Lab, ATU (afternoon) | Details and Registration
In-person event | Donegal College/Donegal ETB | Cybersecurity, Don’t Get Scammed by AI | Early-morning session with Dr Clare Ryan (ITUS Secure Technologies) on spotting AI-powered scams | Tuesday 8 September, 8 to 10am, Radisson Blu Hotel, Letterkenny | Details and Registration
In-person event | Londonderry Chamber of Commerce | Business Supports for SMEs in the Cross-Border Region | Free lunchtime seminar (lunch included) on financial and employment supports for businesses across the border region | Tuesday 15 September, 12 to 2pm, The Ebrington Hotel, Derry | Event Details and Booking
In-person event | ALPHA Innovation | Disrupt by the Sea | Scale-up pitch competition: Ireland’s top ventures pitch investable, globally scalable ideas to US investors live, with mentorship, US network intros and cash-for-equity on offer for shortlisted founders | Thursday 24 September, on the Donegal coast | Find out more
💡 Skills Development Supports
📑Fully Funded Digital Skills Courses
The North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) is offering flexible, fully funded digital and cybersecurity training, with courses covering AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, advanced manufacturing, digital media, and ICT. View available NW DEPTH programmes.
🎓 Donegal ETB/Donegal College: Skills to Advance, Autumn 2026 Part-Time Courses
Part-time courses for Donegal employees and business owners, online and in person, day and evening, fee waivers available. Highlights: AI productivity, Excel, ILM leadership and management, social media marketing, and care skills. Book Excel Associate or Excel Expert directly, or contact Dearbhla Kelly for the full timetable: enterpriseengagement@donegaletb.ie / 086 601 6131.
💰 Funding, Investment & Growth Supports
InterTradeIreland: SupplyChain+ Programme | A new all-island programme helping SMEs strengthen supply chain capability and resilience through mentoring, expert guidance and tailored planning. Learn more here.
InterTradeIreland: New WeVenture Programmes for Women Researchers | New programmes are now open to help women researchers across the island explore and develop the commercial potential of their research. The WeVenture Ideation and Pre-Commercialisation programmes are open for applications now. Learn more here.
InterTradeIreland: SupplyChain+ Programme | A new all-island programme helping SMEs strengthen supply chain capability and resilience through mentoring, expert guidance and tailored planning. Learn more here.
InterTradeIreland: New WeVenture Programmes for Women Researchers | New programmes are now open to help women researchers across the island explore and develop the commercial potential of their research. The WeVenture Ideation and Pre-Commercialisation programmes are open for applications now. Learn more here.
InterTradeIreland: Trade Connects 2026 | Two free half-day events on cross-border trade opportunities, Dublin 8 October and Belfast 21 October. Register now
InterTradeIreland: WeGrow and WeScale | Final chance to apply for funded programmes helping women founders expand, network and access mentorship, closing soon. Apply now
InterTradeIreland: Go-2-Tender Workshop, 8 and 10 September, online. Book | Two free half-day events on cross-border trade opportunities, Dublin 8 October and Belfast 21 October. Register now
InterTradeIreland: Go-2-Tender Workshop, 8 and 10 September, online. Book
Please feel free to email info@theii.com if you’d like to host an event at the ii, discuss membership or partnership options, or share an opportunity with our network.
