The summit will bring together business leaders, policymakers and international experts to explore the district’s role in driving future growth and innovation across Ireland and Europe.
On October 13 and 14, Sandyford Business District (SBD) will host its International Innovation Summit, bringing together business leaders, public sector representatives and global innovation experts to explore how Sandyford can strengthen its position as a globally connected hub for business, innovation and investment.
Home to 26,000 employees and 1,000 companies, SBD is already a major centre for international business, with companies including Microsoft, Mastercard and Google based in the district, alongside leading Irish and European businesses such as Cubic3 and John Paul Construction. The summit is the product of two years of collaboration between Sandyford Business District and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, driven by a shared ambition to build on these strengths, strengthen the local innovation ecosystem, support start-up and SME growth, and create stronger connections between local businesses and international markets.
Attendees will include representatives from the European Association of Business Innovation Districts, investors, academia and key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Bringing these perspectives together will allow SBD to draw on international experience while identifying practical opportunities for collaboration, investment, and growth within the district.
A key focus of the summit will be the proposed Sandyford Innovation Campus, which has the potential to provide a new focal point for innovation, collaboration and investment within the district. The summit also comes at a critical juncture for Ireland and Europe, taking place during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union and against a changing global economic and geopolitical landscape. The event will consider how strong local innovation networks can contribute to Ireland, and Europe’s, future competitiveness and resilience.
The programme will feature panel discussions, presentations and workshops, bringing together local and international perspectives, to explore key issues shaping the future of business and innovation districts, including:
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How to stimulate local and international investment;
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The role of business districts in shaping national innovation strategies;
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Creating the conditions for local businesses and innovation ecosystems to thrive;
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The importance of SMEs, alongside start-ups and multinationals, in driving innovation;
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Building strong international connections, driving collaboration between experts, and establishing a resilient pipeline of innovation opportunities.
Ger Corbett, CEO of Sandyford Business District, said: “Sandyford Business District is already home to a remarkable concentration of international businesses, talent, and investment. Our ambition is to build on these strengths and create an environment where businesses of all sizes can innovate, collaborate, and grow.
The International Innovation Summit gives us an opportunity to interact, collaborate, and learn from experts hailing from the district, across Ireland, and internationally. We look forward to sharing ideas and examining how business districts can play an even greater role in supporting innovation and investment.
We want the summit to go beyond discussion, by building stronger connections between experts and businesses from across the world and identifying practical ideas that can help shape the future success of Sandyford Business District, Ireland, and Europe.”
Event information
Date: Tuesday, 13 October and Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Time: 12.00pm–5.30pm (13 October); 9.00am–12.30pm (14 October)
Location: Block G, Central Park, Sandyford, Dublin
Time: 12.00pm–5.30pm (13 October); 9.00am–12.30pm (14 October)
Location: Block G, Central Park, Sandyford, Dublin
Day one will be followed by drinks and networking.
For further information and to register, visit www.sandyford.ie/innovationsummit26.