Pathway to Innovate is a catalyst for SMEs who are ready to strengthen resilience and competitiveness through structured innovation.
Ireland has world-class supports and Pathway to Innovate ensures expanding SMEs engage with this ecosystem strategically, confidently and at the right time. At its core, Pathway to Innovate delivers real value through tailored Access: access to the right people, access to the right supports, access to funding pathways, access to the wider ecosystem.
Delivered regionally through masterclasses and in-person Innovation Clinics & workshops Pathway to Innovate equips established SMEs with the clarity, structure and connections needed to embed innovation at the core of their business strategy. It strengthens the ecosystem by preparing companies to engage with supports in a focused, purposeful way — improving outcomes for both business and agencies.
Resilience. Competitiveness. Growth. These are not outcomes by chance — they are built through deliberate innovation. Ireland has world-class supports across Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), Skillnet Business Networks and others. Pathway to Innovate ensures expanding SMEs engage with this ecosystem strategically, confidently and at the right time.
Diagnose. Connect. Evolve.
The Pathway to Innovate has a unique model utilising Innovation Clinics where attendees can:
Pathway to Innovate is designed for established, growth-oriented SMEs (typically 3+ years operating, €1m+ revenue, 10–50 employees) who are ready to grow with structure. By aligning business ambition with the right supports, Pathway To Innovate strengthens individual companies — and Ireland’s innovation system as a whole.
Innovation Clinics are structured, face-to-face sessions designed to help SMEs cut through complexity. Businesses collaborate with peer expert facilitators to examine their innovation challenges, uncover opportunities for growth, resilience and competitiveness, and define a clear, actionable path forward.
In addition to Innovation Clinics a series of in-person workshops & engagements including webinars will be scheduled across the year.
Sign up to our mailing list today to receive updates about our 2026 clinics in your area.
Led by Alan Maguire (Founder & CEO of ESI), this masterclass explores the strategic connection between sales and innovation. Learn how to use sales conversations to spark innovation, position innovation as a driver of growth, and align your strategies for maximum commercial impact.
If you can answer yes to all four of these questions, Pathway to Innovate could be the next successful step for your business.
Register your interest for upcoming Pathway to Innovate events now.
Pathway to Innovate supports ambitious SMEs to strengthen resilience, competitiveness and growth through structured innovation. Pathway to Innovate is a focused, in-person pathway helping SMEs secure the right supports, embed innovation practices and accelerate purposeful growth.
Leadership and Ecosystem Strength
Pathway to Innovate is led by senior leaders with deep, extensive commercial and innovation experience. With expertise spanning high-growth SMEs, multinationals, and national support structures including Skillnet Innovation Exchange, they combine practical insight in commercial strategy, partnership development, ecosystem building, and innovation execution.
This ensures Pathway to Innovate helps SMEs confidently navigate Ireland’s innovation ecosystem, connect with enterprise partners, and turn innovation ambition into tangible growth.
Pathway to Innovate Clinics are delivered by the IRDG Innovation Skillnet.
IRDG is Ireland’s leading independent, not-for-profit, business-led innovation network, focused on strengthening research, development and innovation capability since 1992. With deep cross-sector expertise and long-standing industry credibility, IRDG brings practical, expert-led innovation capability building to Irish enterprises.
Through these clinics, participating SMEs develop a clear, leadership-aligned 90-day innovation action plan — translating strategic discussion into structured next steps and sustained momentum.
Pathway to Innovate combines leadership insight, ecosystem connection and IRDG’s innovation expertise to help SMEs move forward with clarity, confidence and measurable progress.
SME leaders know innovation is critical for growth. But the real challenge isn’t ideas, it’s finding a clear, structured way to turn them into results. That’s exactly the gap Strategic Innovation &
Entrepreneurship Programme is designed to close.
IRDG Innovation Skillnet is now selecting 12 Irish SMEs for the Strategic Innovation & Entrepreneurship for SMEs programme, delivered as part of the national Pathway to Innovate initiative. Valued at €12,500, running across 10 weeks it is 90% funded and designed specifically for senior SME leaders ready to move from ambition to execution.
You’ll walk away with
Applications close on March 26th.
Pathway to Innovate is designed for established, growth-oriented SMEs (typically 3+ years operating, €1m+ revenue, 10–50 employees) who are ready to grow with structure. By aligning business ambition with the right supports, Pathway To Innovate strengthens individual companies — and Ireland’s innovation system as a whole.
In addition to Innovation Clinics a series of in-person workshops & engagements including webinars will be scheduled across the year
Discover some of the ways in which Pathway to Innovate will inspire and support regional SMEs to energise and grow their businesses.
Sign up to our mailing list today to receive updates about our 2026 clinics in your area.
Pathway to Innovate is brought to you by Skillnet Ireland in partnership with Skillnet Business Networks and National Initiatives.
