Ireland’s national gathering for the creative industries.
Where creative industries, technology, and enterprise converge
Film. Animation. Games. Immersive. Design. Creative Tech. Music Tech
On 21 May 2026, founders, studio leaders, investors, policymakers, and researchers will gather in Galway for a national summit exploring the future of the creative economy.
EDGE26 brings together the people building and supporting globally competitive creative businesses, examining how innovation, intellectual property, and emerging technologies are transforming the digital creative industries.
Date: 21 May 2026
Location: Dexcom Stadium, Galway
EDGE26 is Ireland’s Creative Economy Summit, bringing together the people building and supporting the next generation of creative businesses.
From film and animation to games, immersive technologies, design, and creative tech, the summit connects founders, studios, investors, researchers, and policymakers exploring how Ireland can build globally competitive creative companies.
As the creative industries continue to grow and converge with technology, new opportunities are emerging for creative entrepreneurs to scale internationally and build valuable intellectual property.
Hosted by CREW in Galway, EDGE26 creates a national platform for the creative industries to connect, share insight, and explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth.
EDGE26 brings together the people shaping Ireland’s digital creative industries and the wider creative economy.
In the room you’ll meet leaders from across the creative and innovation ecosystem, including:
EDGE26 will feature leading voices from across the creative industries, technology sector, and innovation ecosystem.
From founders building internationally recognised studios to investors, researchers, and policymakers shaping the future of the creative economy, our speakers will share insights on scaling creative businesses, developing intellectual property, and navigating emerging technologies.
We are bringing together perspectives from across film, animation, games, immersive technologies, design, and creative tech.
Explore the full list of confirmed speakers and updates as they are announced.
The creative economy is one of Ireland’s fastest-growing sectors, spanning film, animation, games, immersive technologies, design, and creative tech.
As creative businesses scale internationally and new technologies reshape production and storytelling, the sector needs stronger connections between creators, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and policymakers.
EDGE26 brings this community together to explore how Ireland can build globally competitive creative companies, unlock the value of creative intellectual property, and strengthen the creative industries as a driver of innovation and economic growth.
Why Attend
EDGE26 offers:
• A focused forum to connect with peers across the creative industries
• Exposure to founders, investors, and decision-makers
• Insights from expert speakers on scaling creative businesses
• Conversations on IP, investment, talent, technology, and market access
• An opportunity to help shape the future of Ireland’s creative economy
Who Should Attend
EDGE26 is designed for those working in, supporting, or investing in the digital creative industries, including:
• Creative founders and studio leaders
• Startups and scale-up companies
• Investors, funders, and advisors
• Enterprise and innovation ecosystem leaders
• Universities and research organisations
• International speakers and collaborators
EDGE26 brings together the people shaping Ireland’s digital creative industries and the wider creative economy.
In the room you’ll meet leaders from across the creative and innovation ecosystem, including:
• Creative founders and studio leaders in film, animation, games, immersive technologies, design, and creative tech
• Startups and emerging studios developing new creative products, platforms, and intellectual property
• Investors and funding partners exploring opportunities in creative IP and high-growth creative ventures
• Enterprise and ecosystem leaders supporting the growth of Ireland’s innovation and creative enterprise landscape
• Universities and researchers working at the intersection of creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship
• Policymakers and development agencies shaping the future of Ireland’s creative industries
EDGE26 creates a space where creativity, business, technology, and investment come together, helping build stronger connections across Ireland’s growing creative economy.
We’re inviting ambitious start-ups and early-stage companies from across the digital creative industries to apply for a place in the EDGE26 Start-up Zone.
This curated showcase will spotlight emerging creative businesses and connect them with an influential audience of founders, investors, decision-makers, and ecosystem leaders attending the summit.
If you’re building a new venture in film, animation, games, immersive, design, or creative tech, this is an opportunity to share your work and connect with the wider creative economy community.
EDGE26 is proudly supported by our Lead Patron, Atlantic Technological University, together with a select group of organisations who have joined the summit as Founding Patrons.
Their support reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Ireland’s creative industries and supporting the growth and international competitiveness of commercial digital creative enterprises.
EDGE26 forms part of CREW’s CLIMB programme – Creative Leaders Innovating for Market & Business Growth, supported by Enterprise Ireland through the Smart Regions Fund. CLIMB is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021–2027.
Atlantic Technological University
EDGE26 takes place at Dexcom Stadium in the heart of Galway City.
Located just minutes from Eyre Square, Ceannt Train Station, and Galway’s main bus connections, the venue is easily accessible for attendees travelling from across Ireland and internationally.
Dexcom Stadium offers modern conference facilities, onsite parking, full accessibility, and high-speed WiFi throughout.
As a city known for its creativity, culture, and hospitality, Galway provides the perfect setting for Ireland’s Creative Economy Summit.
We look forward to welcoming you to the West of Ireland and the famous Céad Míle Fáilte, one hundred thousand welcomes.
