~Built research opportunities between Irish industry and Florida universities~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Recently, Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly joined Governor Ron DeSantis to meet with several business leaders in Dublin, Ireland, to discuss investment and research opportunities in Florida’s robust, innovation economy. Florida and Ireland are two of the fastest-accelerating economies in the world.
FloridaCommerce and SelectFlorida met with Irish photonics and semiconductor companies and researchers. Thanks to Governor DeSantis directing nearly $400 million in resources for related workforce education since 2022, the meeting participants discussed potential opportunities for Irish companies and researchers to partner with Florida universities, colleges, and key stakeholders. FloridaCommerce and SelectFlorida will work to facilitate those relationships and engagements.
Potential partnerships with Florida’s universities and colleges were frequently discussed over the course of both days. Additionally, there was significant interest in potential private and public sector connections in areas such as fintech and other financial services, manufacturing, and health tech.
“FloridaCommerce and SelectFlorida, under the Governor’s leadership, have identified many ways to partner with Irish companies, and this trip proved that to be true in abundance,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “The private sector in Ireland has become known around the world for innovation in IT and fintech, and the state of Florida offers unique strengths in manufacturing and R&D capabilities along with world-leading presences in industries like aviation and aerospace and health tech – the perfect environment for job creators.”
The Governor and state leadership met with:
- Accenture
- AerCap Holdings
- Devexperts
- Floww
- Granite Digital
- Intact Software
- Ococo, Ltd.
- Smurfit Westrock
- Transfermate
- Uniphar Group
Seven of these companies already have a footprint in Florida, in some cases quite a significant presence: Accenture, AerCap, Floww, Ocuco, Smurfit Westrock, Spona, and Transfermate.
FloridaCommerce and SelectFlorida visited Accenture’s The Dock and were briefed by the Accenture team on research and development projects currently underway in Florida. Accenture has a significant presence in Florida with four offices and more than 2,500 employees.
Governor DeSantis and Secretary Kelly were joined by Florida State University President Richard McCullough, Board of Governors member Craig Mateer, State Board of Administration Executive Director Chris Spencer, and Florida CEO Carlos Duart at a roundtable with several Irish companies. A significant focus of the discussion pertained to Florida’s number one post-secondary and workforce training systems. Much of the conversation also revolved around Florida’s incredible financial readiness to welcome foreign direct investment and the many ways that Florida consistently creates a successful landing for both domestic and overseas companies. Ireland’s interest in Florida’s number one ranked workforce pathways was a common point of discussion throughout the trip.
Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and SelectFlorida met with:
- AmCham Ireland
- Eblana Photonics
- Elkstone Partners
- Enterprise Ireland
- Mbryonics Ltd.
- Pilot Photonics
- Spona
- Stripe
- The Tyndall National Institute
Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has the number one ranked economy in the United States and one of the strongest economies in the world, with an annual GDP of nearly $1.6 trillion; Florida would be the 16th largest economy in the world if it were a standalone country. Other state leadership also met with businesses and partners in Ireland last week.
In 2023, the total bilateral merchandise trade between Florida and Ireland was more than $1.5 billion, making Ireland Florida’s sixth-largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in Europe. Ireland is Florida’s seventh largest foreign direct investor by employment, with Irish-owned affiliates accounting for more than 15,700 jobs. Trade between Florida and Ireland has boomed, with Florida exports to Ireland growing by 61% in 2022-2023.