AIM Centre Honoured with National Award at 2025 LAMA All Ireland Community & Council Awards
The AIM Centre is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious 'Best Enterprise & Start-Up Hub' at the 2025 LAMA All Ireland Community & Council Awards. This recognition highlights the AIM Centre’s pivotal role in fostering innovation and supporting businesses across Ireland’s West and North-West regions.
Celebrating Innovation and Economic Growth
The LAMA All Ireland Community & Council Awards celebrate excellence in local government and community initiatives that drive economic growth, enhance quality of life, and preserve cultural heritage. Held in Cork last weekend, the event showcased Ireland’s commitment to building vibrant, sustainable communities.
Among the distinguished winners, Sligo County Council was recognised for its outstanding contributions, securing two national awards: Best Enterprise & Start-Up Hub for the AIM Centre and Best Tourism Initiative for Queen Maeve Square. Additionally, the Council received a nomination for Best Irish Language Initiative, further underscoring its dedication to cultural and community enrichment.
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Declan Bree, remarked:
“These awards reflect our commitment to fostering innovation, celebrating heritage, and empowering communities. The AIM Centre and Queen Maeve Square exemplify Sligo’s innovative and dynamic spirit, and we are equally proud of our Irish language nomination, which highlights our dedication to the promotion and preservation of our language.”
AIM Centre: Driving Digital Innovation in Manufacturing
Located in the repurposed former Sligo Fire Station, the AIM Centre has quickly established itself as a beacon of technological progress since its launch in February 2024. Providing a collaborative environment for up to 80 innovators, the Centre enables enterprises to embrace Industry 4.0 and 5.0 through a range of tailored programmes:
AIM Advisory: A dedicated mentorship programme supporting businesses in scaling and adopting emerging technologies.
AIM Exchange: A dynamic platform fostering collaboration between industry leaders, researchers, and start-ups.
AIM Talent: A specialist initiative cultivating expertise in robotics, IoT, and AI to strengthen regional skills and competitiveness.
With the backing of a €998,000 Smart Regions grant, the AIM Centre is now set to launch the National AI Studio, a game-changing initiative designed to accelerate AI adoption among SMEs, enhance regional competitiveness, and solidify Sligo’s reputation as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
Acknowledging Sligo County Council’s Unwavering Support
This award is a testament to the collaboration and vision that have driven the AIM Centre’s success. We extend our sincere gratitude to Sligo County Council for their unwavering support from day one. Their commitment to fostering enterprise and innovation has been instrumental in the Centre’s journey, enabling us to create a thriving ecosystem for businesses and entrepreneurs.
As we look ahead, the AIM Centre remains committed to driving digital transformation, supporting ambitious enterprises, and ensuring that Sligo continues to lead the way in technological innovation.