Portershed is the ultimate mashup of entrepreneurs, startups, growth companies, educational institutions, the Galway Chamber, state agencies and local government. Our goal is to create an innovation ecosystem, one that creates a synergistic relationship between people, companies, and place, that facilitates idea generation, open learning, collaboration and accelerates commercialisation. Spaces for entrepreneurs need to be complemented by the skills to succeed as a startup founder - so that people know how to progress their idea, technology or passion through to a successful startup, or to produce a new innovation within existing companies. Portershed allows entrepreneurs to use collaborative spaces, coworking spaces, mingle with other entrepreneurs and have efficient access to everything from insights into the latest technology to legal and financial advice. Rather than endure long commutes and daily congestion, residents of Portershed can choose to work and live in places that are connected, walkable, bike-able and connected by technology. PorterShed was set up to address a number of needs in Galway. A recurring theme was the lack of a downtown innovation hub for incoming and indigenous startups - with all the expected features: red brick walls, wooden beams, fibre internet, and of course, coffee. Along with Galway Chamber of Commerce, we took the first step in making what we have called the Galway City Innovation District (GCID) a reality. In September 2015, renovation started on the former Guinness storehouse owned by CIÉ i.e. The PorterShed, and in April 2016 it opened its doors to startup companies and officially opened in May. PorterShed is a showcase for Galway’s tech startup scene, and incorporates a coworking space housing 22 innovative companies and up to 62 people in total, hot desks for casual members and an open space for events and workshops.