Irish businesses are facing increasing pressure to grow, digitise and stay competitive all while managing costs, sustainability commitments and shifting customer expectations. Finding the right partners and technologies to support that journey can be challenging and time-consuming.
Digital for Growth is a joint initiative from Guaranteed Irish and Skillnet Innovation Exchange designed to help Irish businesses address operational and growth challenges through collaboration with innovative Irish solution providers.
The initiative provides Guaranteed Irish members with access to a structured, low-risk process that connects business challenges with trusted solutions that can improve competitiveness, productivity and performance.
What Is Digital for Growth?
Digital for Growth is a collaboration between:
- Guaranteed Irish with its strong, trusted business network across Ireland, and
- Skillnet Innovation Exchange with its proven, challenge-led collaboration model.
Conor Camordy, Director Skillnet Innovation Exchange with Bríd O'Connell, CEO, Guaranteed Irish at the launch of the partnership.
Together, we have created a practical platform that helps Irish businesses:
- Clearly define and refine operational or growth challenges
- Access a curated network of innovative Irish solution providers
- Receive tailored proposals that directly address those challenges
- Progress to pilot projects, proofs of concept or commercial implementation, only when the fit is right.
The initiative supports both sides of the innovation ecosystem:
- Companies seeking solutions to business challenges
- Innovative Irish companies looking to grow through new commercial opportunities
At its core, Digital for Growth is about supporting business that supports Ireland – by bringing established businesses and Irish innovators together to solve real problems and unlock new growth at pace.
Why Digital for Growth Matters for Irish Business
Irish organisations of all sizes are accelerating their digital and sustainability journeys. Yet many face similar barriers:
- Limited internal time or expertise to scan the market for solutions
- Difficulty assessing which providers are credible, capable and aligned with their needs
- Concern about the risks of investing in new technologies or partners
Digital for Growth addresses these challenges head-on by:
- Providing a structured process to define and communicate your challenges
- Giving access to a trusted, curated network of Irish solution providers
- Enabling low-risk exploration, with no obligation to proceed if a solution is not suitable
- Ensuring that the benefits of innovation – jobs, investment and capability – are anchored in the Irish economy
The Types of Challenges Digital for Growth Targets
Digital for Growth focuses on practical, real-world challenges that impact growth, efficiency and competitiveness. Typical areas include:
- Digitalisation of business processes: Streamlining manual or paper-based processes, enabling better collaboration and reducing errors.
- AI and automation opportunities: Applying AI and automation to routine tasks, customer journeys or decision-making to free up time and improve performance.
- Cost efficiency and productivity: Identifying ways to improve margins, reduce waste and make better use of resources.
- Sustainability and ESG data management: Capturing, tracking and reporting sustainability metrics and ESG data in a reliable, transparent way.
- Supply chain and operational challenges: Improving visibility, resilience and performance across supply chains and operations.
- Sales growth and customer engagement: Enhancing customer journeys, marketing effectiveness and sales enablement.
- Data management and decision-making: Creating better access to accurate, timely data to support confident decision-making.
Who Can Take Part in Digital for Growth?
Digital for Growth is open to two key groups:
1. Guaranteed Irish Members with a digital challenge that want to:
- Improve efficiency and productivity
- Solve operational bottlenecks or process challenges
- Strengthen competitiveness at home and abroad
- Identify new growth opportunities
- Access innovative Irish solution providers with relevant expertise
2. Irish Solution Providers registered with Skillnet Innovation Exchange offering:
- Digital solutions and business platforms
- AI and automation capabilities
- Sustainability and ESG data solutions
- Operational and process-improvement tools
- Business technology and data expertise
The Digital for Growth Process: How It Works
Digital for Growth is built on a simple, five-step, challenge-led process.
- Challenge Definition: Skillnet Innovation Exchange works with participating companies to shape and define their business challenge.
- Challenge Launch: The challenge is presented to a curated network of innovative Irish solution providers.
- Solution Proposals: Relevant solution providers submit tailored proposals addressing the challenge.
- Shortlisting & Pitching: Selected providers are invited to pitch directly to the participating business.
- Commercial Engagement: Businesses can progress to pilot projects, proof of concept or commercial implementation. There is no obligation to proceed if no suitable solution is identified.
How to Get Involved in Digital for Growth
Digital for Growth is designed to be simple, structured and outcomes-focused.
- If you are a Guaranteed Irish member with a business challenge:
Share your challenge with the Guaranteed Irish Membership Team. We’ll introduce you to the Skillnet Innovation Exchange team to shape it into a clear brief.
Email Clemence@guaranteedirish.ie. - If you are an Irish solution provider:
Register your interest in joining the curated network of innovators supporting Digital for Growth. You’ll have the opportunity to respond to real, qualified challenges from Irish businesses and build new commercial relationships. For Guaranteed Irish members that are not yet solution providers, you can benefit from six months of fees waived to access training and pitch for challenges.
At Guaranteed Irish, we are supporting business that supports Ireland. Digital for Growth is a powerful way to do just that – by connecting Irish businesses with trusted Irish innovation partners to drive growth, competitiveness and sustainable success.
If you’d like to learn more or explore how to participate, contact the Guaranteed Irish team today.
