History
The vision begins:
- In 1994 the idea for developing an enterprise centre emerged from discussions between Dublin BIC & Diageo Ireland (Guinness Ireland Group)
- The goal was to stimulate enterprise development and business innovation within the inner city
The vision gets backing:
- Guinness offered Dublin BIC a site and warehouse for an enterprise centre at Taylor’s Lane within its James’ Street complex. It also contributes cash towards the centre’s development
- Mid 1997, further financial support was committed by Dublin City Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland and Guinness Workers’ Employment Fund (GWEF)
- The total value of the support for the centre to date is €10m, to provide 6,000 M² of incubation space
The vision becomes reality:
- In 2000, the centre opened its doors with 77 units with the capacity to accommodate up to 400 people
- A management company, the Dublin Enterprise & Technology Centre Limited (DETCL) trading as GEC was established to operate the centre. Dublin BIC was appointed as centre manager
The vision is a success:
In 2010, the GEC marked its 10th Anniversary with impressive results.
- 265 businesses have graduated through the Guinness Enterprise Centre
- 17 companies have expanded since graduating with sales of €70 million employing 474 with an equity investment of €46 million
- 508 people are employed in the 77 companies that graduated through the centre
- The centre provided incubation to 68 start-up and development enterprises, employing 335 people during the 2008-2009 period
