Dundalk's Creative Spark and FactoryXChange launch collaboration

FactoryXChange and Creative Spark launched their new collboration last week.

FactoryXChange (FXC), one of Ireland’s leading European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs), and Creative Spark are now strategic partners.

To mark the launch of this exciting collaboration, FactoryXChange and Creative Spark co-hosted an open access event at Creative Spark in Dundalk on Wednesday, 16 July.

The event showcased the digital supports available to local businesses and provide a hands-on introduction to the FXC programme.

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This powerful collaboration strengthens FXC’s mission to accelerate digital adoption across Ireland — with a renewed focus on the creative industries, start-ups, and regional entrepreneurship.

Since opening its doors in Dundalk in 2012, Creative Spark has been a dynamic force in supporting artists, designers, makers, and entrepreneurs across Ireland.

By providing creative space, enterprise support, and access to new technologies, Creative Spark has helped grow hundreds of businesses from the ground up.

Now, through its partnership with FXC, these services will be enhanced by cutting-edge digital tools, expert mentorship, and direct access to EU-funded transformation programmes.

“Creative Spark is more than a space — it’s a catalyst,” said Sarah Daly, Executive Director of Creative Spark.

“This partnership with FactoryXChange will help our creative and entrepreneurial community tap into digital solutions that unlock new growth, income, and opportunity.

“Together, we’re ensuring that the next generation of ideas and innovations are born, built, and scaled right here in our region.”

FactoryXChange is co-funded by the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme and Ireland’s Recovery and Resilience Fund, managed by Enterprise Ireland.

Designed as a comprehensive one-stop-shop for digital transformation, FXC helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and public sector organisations build tailored digital roadmaps, access technical experts and EU-subsidised services, adopt advanced tools in data, AI, and automation, upskill their teams, and secure innovation funding — all while reducing the cost and complexity of digital adoption.

Whether you’re a local food producer, engineering firm, craft business, or creative start-up, FXC’s national network ensures you’re never more than 90 minutes from support that can transform how you work, compete, and grow.

“Creative Spark represents everything FXC stands for — accessibility, sustainability, and real-world impact,” said Karin Jancykova, Senior Programme Manager for FactoryXChange.

“Their on-the-ground knowledge and community reach will help us bring digital transformation to even more businesses, particularly in the creative and cultural sectors.

“This isn’t just about tech — it’s about job creation, resilience, and long-term regional growth.”

FactoryXChange brings together a powerhouse team of partners including Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), the Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, the Technological University of the Shannon, and KPMG Future Analytics.

Together with Creative Spark, they offer businesses across Ireland a seamless path from first idea to digital delivery — lowering the barriers to innovation and making transformation achievable, affordable, and aligned with real business needs.

With this new partnership, FXC continues to expand its reach — embedding digital capability into every corner of the Irish economy and ensuring that no business is left behind.

FactoryXChange (FXC) is a European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) funded by the Digital Europe Programme and Ireland’s Recovery and Resilience Fund, managed by Enterprise Ireland. FXC provides Irish businesses with access to advanced technologies, expert guidance, and fully funded digital services to help them compete and grow.

Creative Spark is a hub for creativity, enterprise, and innovation in Dundalk, County Louth.

It provides workspace, training, and community support for entrepreneurs, artists, and makers, helping to drive economic development and creative growth across the region.