Over 150 regional attendees – including representatives from 76 west of Ireland scaling companies – came together last week as Platform94 hosted one of the largest UK market-focused trade events ever held in the region.

The ‘Scaling to the UK’ event was delivered in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Enterprise Ireland UK, and Skillnet Innovation Exchange, filled the Radisson RED Galway to capacity.

Designed to strengthen Irish–UK trade relations, the session brought together a powerhouse line-up of UK trade experts, including senior officials from the Department for Business and Trade, Enterprise Ireland UK, and regional investment leads from Wales, Greater Manchester, and the West Midlands.

The event had a singular focus: delivering practical, tangible insights to help Irish companies optimise their success rate when expanding into the UK. Topics ranged from market readiness and sector-specific opportunities to on-the-ground support available across UK regions.

A standout panel featured Irish founders with proven UK scaling success including Brian O’Rourke, CEO & Co-Founder of CitySwift, who shared first-hand lessons on winning customers, building UK operations, and adapting to local market expectations.

“This event was all about breaking down the real-world barriers to international growth,” said Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94.

“The UK is Ireland’s closest trading partner, with a population of over 67 million. But each region has its own ecosystem, buyer expectations, regulatory nuances, and talent landscape.

“Scaling companies need to be informed, intentional, and well-connected to succeed. Our long-standing relationship with the Department for Business and Trade has been central to making this event possible.

“This event showed what’s achievable when Irish founders get direct access to the right people, practical insights, and on-the-ground expertise to guide their UK expansion journey.”

The event is part of Platform94’s wider strategy to support internationally scaling companies through its SCALE by Platform94 community – a fast-growing network of ambitious indigenous companies across the west and northwest of Ireland.

Pictured at the ‘Scaling to the UK’ event in the Radisson RED Galway were (front – from left) Martin Pathan, Department for Business and Trade; Tess Bartlett, West Midlands Growth Company; Marie Donnellan, CEO of Platform94, Sinead O’Riordan, Skillnet Innovation Exchange; Joseph Beaden, MIDAS, Manchesters Inward Investment Agency, with (middle) Dave Hickey, Chair of Platform94; Brenda Dooley, Founder of AXIS The Reimbursement Experts, and Stephen Connolly, Ordorite, and (back) Alex Jones Casey, MIDAS and Patrick McMahon, Enterprise Ireland UK.