E202 ‘A journey of innovation: Reflections and Prospects’ with UCD’s Liam Cronin

Today’s guest is Liam Cronin, Director of Innovation at University College Dublin and former CEO at the RDI Hub. In this episode, Liam reflects on six impactful years at RDI Hub, highlighting job creation, European funding and AI program successes. Now in his new role Nova UCD, he aims to support startups, drive AI innovation and build strategic partnerships.

Liam’s journey at RDI Hub over the past six years had been nothing short of transformative. From arriving at what was essentially a construction site in June 2019 to seeing the RDI Hub flourish into one of the pivotal centres for innovation and AI, Liam has been an integral part of a story driven by ambition and collaboration. The facilities, once mere blueprints and hard hats, have become a bustling epicentre that nurtures over 100 companies while cultivating thousands of jobs and training opportunities.

However, the road was not without obstacles. Liam shares his memory of the hub launching successfully in February 2020, only to face closures six weeks later due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, through resilience and community effort, the RDI Hub thrived, becoming a beacon of innovation with substantial impacts on local economies and businesses. The alignment with European funding accentuated the commitment to growth, raising nearly half a million euros in recent times.

A cornerstone of RDI’s success includes initiatives like the AI Summer School, which provides fertile ground for industry-academic synergy. This year, the sixth iteration focuses on AI for Finance, a timely endeavour as the finance industry grapples with rapid technological transformations. The sessions, enriched with renowned speakers and in-depth workshops, highlight practical applications and industry use cases, emphasising an applied learning approach.

Marking the end of one chapter, Liam just this week began a new journey as Director of Innovation at Nova UCD. His vision remains steadfast: to support the creation and growth of startups in Stillorgan, much like his work in Killorglin, County Kerry. Working alongside organizations like CeADAR and leveraging his experience, Liam aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, focusing on job creation and product development within the startup ecosystem.

Engagement is a recurrent theme in Liam’s strategy. The vital interaction between academia, industry, and community is at the heart of his work, guiding companies from the hypothetical to the practical. His commitment to “walking the journey” alongside community members ensures a dialogue-driven environment that values input and shared learning experiences.

As Liam looks towards the future, he notes, “Ireland stands on the cusp of an epic opportunity in AI and innovation.” With all necessary elements in place – from multinationals to local innovators – the potential is undeniable. The vital task remains one of integration, where innovative efforts harmonise under a unified aim to enhance national productivity, profitability, and access to resources.

Liam’s transition to Nova UCD marks an exciting new chapter characterised by continuity and change. Drawing from years of rich experience, he is poised to bring his collaborative ethos and innovative drive to a new community, continuing to sow seeds of innovation and entrepreneurship for years to come. We, at AI Ireland, wish him the very best in his new role, confident that his future endeavours will echo with the same resounding success as those he leaves behind.