Digital Hub to provide extra office space

The Dublin-based Digital Hub attracted 23 new companies to its "cluster" last year, bringing the total number of firms at the specialised enterprise centre to 70.

In an end-year review published today, the Digital Hub Development Agency said 2013 had been one of its busiest and most successful years, and flagged plans to make available extra office space for 2014.

The agency, a State body, is charged with operating a centre of excellence for nurturing digital enterprises.

Among the companies joining the hub last year were social gaming company Bull or Bear, online video interview firm Sonru and digital news service Silicon Republic.

Additions also included US e-commerce crafts brand Etsy and US software firm eMaint, which both established European bases at the centre.

Collectively, companies based within the cluster now employ 900 people.

High occupancy rates
"Throughout 2013 we continued to have high occupancy rates across all of our office space and, on an ongoing basis, we experienced high levels of demand from companies looking for space at the Digital Hub," said Edel Flynn, chief executive of the Digital Hub Development Agency.

“This year we plan to make additional office space available on our campus to cater for the ever-increasing demand from companies looking to locate here.”

Ms Flynn said the agency was “optimistic” as 2014 begins. “We’re on a strong footing now, and well prepared to move to the next phase of . . . development.”

Since its establishment 10 years ago, more than 170 firms have moved through the hub, generating more than 2,000 jobs.

These companies include gaming firm Havok, property sales group Daft.ie and online retailer Amazon.