How Irish small businesses are going digital – and why you should too
)
Posted: Fri 30th May 2025
8 min read
Digital transformation isn't just a buzzword – it's the key to future-proofing small businesses across Ireland.
That's the driving belief behind Tech Hub Ireland, Enterprise Nation's initiative to help small businesses adopt and harness digital tools to grow sustainably.
And if the stories of Irish business owners already benefiting from this support are anything to go by, it's an opportunity no entrepreneur should ignore.
Launched in partnership with tech giants like Amazon, Google, Square, .ie and GS1, Tech Hub Ireland offers diagnostics, tailored action plans, training and expert guidance – all accessible through a single, easy-to-use digital platform.
But what truly brings the impact to life are the voices of small business owners across Ireland who are transforming their operations thanks to Tech Hub's support.
Digital change starts small – and grows fast
Take Vandita Agarwal, founder of Articulate Digital Business. After seeing how many Irish businesses still relied on paper-based processes, she launched her company to help them digitise.
Thanks to Tech Hub, she's moving towards building an integrated e-commerce infrastructure – bringing both in-store and online experiences together.
She explains:
"Embracing digitalisation has been tremendously beneficial for us. It not only streamlines our processes but also helps eliminate common issues such as geographical location restrictions and communication errors.
"Using advanced digital tools means we're better equipped to meet our clients' needs and adapt to the ever-evolving market."
Vandita's journey illustrates Tech Hub's core promise – that going digital doesn't have to be expensive, it just needs to be guided by experts who understand the realities that small businesses face.
Technology as a growth partner
For Marinda Malan, founder of Marinda Malan Consulting, the challenge wasn't embracing tech, but scaling it strategically across her growing consulting practice.
She says:
"Digital technology – particularly AI – has fundamentally reshaped how I run my consulting practice and deliver value to clients.
"Over the past year, I've built fit-for-purpose, AI-powered knowledge bases that support with creating content, educating clients and marketing across multiple formats. This has significantly saved time while maintaining high quality.
"The key is that we never start with the tech. We begin with a real business problem – and use digital tools where they add clarity, speed or scale."
Marinda's goal for 2025? Linking all her tech tools into intelligent, end-to-end client experiences. It's a bold move made possible by the digital literacy and insight promoted by initiatives like Tech Hub Ireland.
Technology with a social mission
Niamh Tallon, founder of Her Sport, uses digital platforms to champion women in sport – a mission with both cultural and commercial impact.
While her young team is familiar with tools like Asana, ChatGPT and Canva, she admits there's still more to unlock.
She explains:
"Making the most of the tools that are available, and finding the time to figure out which are worth investing in, is a challenge. There's a lot out there and it can be hard to find something good, trustworthy and suitable.
"Our team is young and should be au fait with technology, but I know there are tools we aren't using that could support and streamline the business. And if we're this put off by it, so are many others."
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start – or even what's worth the time. Tech Hub Ireland helps you cut through the noise with personalised support.
Scaling securely, growing globally
Cloud and AI business Avonix Global, led by Ositadimma Nduka, credits digital technology with making his firm more agile and better placed to make important decisions. But as the company scales, the focus is on robust systems: CRM, cyber security, AI-driven support and predictive analytics.
Ositadimma explains:
"We're actively seeking tools, partnerships and solutions that support growth and long-term digital success.
"We're also interested in learning more about machine learning, predictive analytics and other emerging technologies that can give us a competitive advantage."
Making global gaming work from Ireland
For Kevin Beirne of Gabro Games, going digital is the business model. With games deployed across nine countries, Kevin relies on platforms like AWS – introduced through Tech Hub partner programmes – to reduce costs and complexity.
He says:
"Our business thrives on technology and is what allows us to deliver our service worldwide, despite our small size. Adopting a cloud-native approach has massively benefited us.
"Despite the complexity of our project, all the tools we needed and more were available on AWS at very affordable prices. Using AWS has allowed us to safely experiment and grow with very little overhead cost."
All Gabro Games's R&D cloud operations cost under $500 a month. That kind of support is only possible with the right digital backing, and initiatives like Tech Hub Ireland. Now, Kevin is exploring analytics and SEO to fuel growth.
Digital streamlining for solo business owners
Even solo entrepreneurs like Jen Corcoran of My Super Connector are seeing tangible benefits. Jen recently revamped her tech stack to simplify her email marketing and manage her client relationships more efficiently.
Jen says:
"My whole business is based on technology. I'm all about streamlining the existing tech that I have and making the most out of each system."
Tech Hub Ireland: Your digital transformation partner
Backed by world-leading tech companies and developed by Enterprise Nation, Tech Hub Ireland addresses the real challenges small businesses face: a lack of time, confidence, clarity and resources.
But it doesn't stop at advice. Through its Small Business Tech Consortium, the initiative advocates for national policies that support small businesses in adopting digital tools, making sure government and industry collaborate to create lasting, inclusive change.
Ready to join the digital future?
If you're a small business in Ireland, unsure how to make technology work for you, Tech Hub Ireland is your starting point. With tailored guidance, practical tools and a community of like-minded businesses, it's never been easier – or more important – to start your digital journey.
Visit Tech Hub Ireland to get started.
Relevant resources
Revolutionise your small business with Tech Hub
Get tailored recommendations, join virtual workshops, connect with expert advisers and find practical resources – all for free. Go to Tech Hub now
You might also like…
