SCALE by Platform94, a regional community of ambitious scaling businesses with a strong export focus, last week marked its first anniversary with a landmark celebration in Leitrim.

The initiative, led by Galway’s Platform94 and delivered in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, brings together indigenous businesses from across the West and North West to collaborate, innovate, and accelerate their international growth journeys.

To celebrate the milestone, more than 40 business leaders came together for a very special evening at the Shed Distillery of PJ Rigney.

There, founder & CEO Pat Rigney offered his own insights on the challenges and learnings of scaling internationally, showcasing the power of brand and the global impact an Irish SME can achieve through ambition and innovation.

The anniversary coincided with the release of the latest SCALE Community Insights Report, which revealed the impressive growth of the community in just twelve months.

SCALE by Platform94 has now grown to 85 indigenous scaling businesses, whom employ over 2,300 people and generate a combined revenue of more than €300 million, with 89% already trading internationally.

The report also highlights key opportunities and challenges for the region’s scaling businesses.

Strategic partnerships are emerging as a major driver of growth, enabling companies to unlock new markets, while technology adoption remains both a challenge and an opportunity for global competitiveness.

Economic uncertainty has overtaken talent and funding as the number one concern for members, yet optimism remains strong, with the majority of businesses on track to deliver an average of 15% growth this year.

Headcount has already risen by 21% in 2025, with a target of 30% by year-end.

CEO of Platform94 Marie Donnellan said that what struck her most from these results ‘is the resilience and ambition of our regional businesses’.

“Despite economic uncertainty being named as the number one challenge, companies are pushing ahead with growth plans, new market entries, and innovation,” she said.

“The emphasis on strategic partnerships and technology adoption shows that collaboration and adaptability are now at the heart of how our members scale internationally.”

Pictured: CEO of Platform94 Marie Donnellan (front centre) and the community from SCALE by Platform94 mark a year of success at the Shed Distillery in Leitrim.