This past December, I boarded a transatlantic flight to Galway, Ireland—equal parts excited, curious, and honored. I had been selected as one of only four American writers invited to tour the country’s thriving medical technology industry (medtech) and attend the annual MedTech Rising Conference, an international gathering of thought leaders shaping the future of global healthcare innovation.
This was not just a reporting assignment. It was an opportunity to step directly into a country where medtech is not just an industry, it is part of the national identity. Enterprise Ireland, the government agency responsible for helping Irish companies grow, innovate, and compete in world markets, had generously arranged this press tour and all travel logistics, allowing us writers to immerse ourselves fully in the experience without distraction. That generosity set the tone for the journey ahead: welcoming, collaborative, and meticulously organized.
What followed was one of the most eye-opening professional experiences of my writing career!
Arriving in Ireland’s MedTech Capital
Galway greeted us with a crisp December chill and cool, daily rains—but the seasonal weather was perfectly balanced by the warm, unmistakable hum of creative energy. This picturesque city on Ireland’s west coast is far more than a tourist destination—it’s the nerve center of a medical technology ecosystem that has helped make Ireland one of the world’s leading exporters of medical devices with over 500 companies and 50,000 employees nationwide.
What struck me immediately was the density of innovation. Galway’s medtech cluster has been evolving for decades, supported by universities, research centers, government investment, and global manufacturers who chose Galway for its talent pipeline and collaborative culture. The city felt both historic and forward-looking—an ideal landscape for a conference centered on the future of healthcare technology.
Before the conference began, our small group embarked on a curated tour of local medtech facilities and supporting universities. Enterprise Ireland’s team coordinated visits with precision, ensuring we saw a cross-section of Ireland’s ecosystem—from agile startups to large multinationals, from engineering labs to prototype workshops. But these visits weren’t staged showcases; they were opportunities to meet the real people doing the work!
Every company we visited, whether a small team perfecting a device component or a large engineering facility assembling next-generation delivery systems, spoke the same language of innovation, responsibility, and global impact.
MedTech Connect+: Where Innovation Meets Opportunity
Our conference experience began on December 3 with Medtech Connect+, a high-energy showcase at the impressive Galmont Hotel, where Ireland’s most promising SMEs pitched breakthrough technologies to potential partners, investors, and multinational leaders. The session was designed as a launchpad, giving emerging companies a platform to raise awareness and accelerate collaboration opportunities.
The room buzzed with excitement as entrepreneurs shared prototypes, clinical insights, and hard-earned lessons. Their confidence wasn’t the bravado of salesmanship—it was the quiet conviction of people who understand the lifesaving potential of their work!
For me, the most inspiring aspect was the openness of the environment. CEOs mingled with graduate researchers; investors shared tables with clinicians; and in between presentations, people gathered in clusters to talk shop, exchange ideas, or simply grab a coffee and ask a stranger, “So what brings you here?”
Ireland has a reputation for friendliness, but this was something deeper—a genuine culture of collaboration that Enterprise Ireland and its partners have nurtured over many years. Their mission to accelerate the development of world-class Irish companies in global markets was not just evident; it was embodied in the energy of the room.
The evening ended with a warm networking reception, where conversations continued over drinks and laughter. It felt like we had stepped into a global innovation family gathering rather than a formal industry event.
MedTech Rising 2025: A Day of Insight, Strategy, and Celebration
December 4 marked the main event: MedTech Rising 2025, a full-day conference co-hosted by Irish Medtech, Enterprise Ireland, and IDA Ireland, bringing together nearly 500 business leaders and experts from around the world. The agenda promised a deep dive into the most pressing trends shaping the global medtech landscape—and it more than delivered!
As Ireland celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Irish Medtech organization, speakers reflected on the sector’s extraordinary growth: 500 companies, 50,000 employees, and €20 billion in annual exports. Hearing these numbers underscored why Galway is an ideal host city and why Ireland has become a magnet for medtech innovation.
Key Themes That Shaped the Day
The morning kicked off with an intelligence report analyzing the rapidly evolving global medtech economy. Speakers examined everything from regulatory complexity and supply chain disruptions to AI integration and sustainability initiatives.
Throughout the day, several themes resonated with particular clarity:
- Innovation as a National Strategy: Ireland’s medtech ecosystem is designed (not by accident) and supported by universities, industry partners, and government agencies working in concert.
- AI and Digital Health: Sessions explored how secure, patient-centered digital innovation is becoming essential to modern healthcare solutions.
- Global Pressures and Local Responses: As geopolitical uncertainties and economic shifts challenge supply chains, Ireland is positioning itself with strategic investment and resilience planning.
- Talent and Training: With intensifying global competition for skilled workers, Ireland is investing in leadership development, clinical capabilities, and inclusive talent strategies to maintain its competitive edge.
What impressed me most was how honestly and openly speakers discussed challenges and not just successes. It was clear that Ireland views transparency and collaboration as core strengths.
A Night of Celebration
The day concluded with a black-tie Gala Awards Dinner, honoring the innovators, researchers, and companies driving Ireland’s medtech success story. But our small press group opted to have a private gathering at a local, historic pub filled with voices, laughter, and live music—the perfect opportunity to reflect on this amazing trip and experience, reinforce our mutual connections and newfound friendships, and say goodbye.
The Enterprise Ireland Difference
Having attended many industry events in my career, I can say with confidence that Ireland’s medtech story is different—and Enterprise Ireland is the reason.
Their role is not merely promotional—it is foundational. As the government organization dedicated to helping Irish businesses start, grow, and scale internationally, Enterprise Ireland acts as a bridge connecting innovation with opportunity. They support research centers, facilitate partnerships, fund technological development, and ensure that young companies are not left to fend for themselves in an increasingly competitive global marketplace.
During our visit, I saw firsthand how deeply embedded they are in every layer of the medtech ecosystem. Their representatives did not just arrange logistics—they welcomed us into the community, provided insights, and ensured that we understood the significance of what we were witnessing.
Ireland’s medtech success is no accident. It is the product of decades of vision, investment, and collaboration—and Enterprise Ireland stands at the center of that effort.
Leaving Ireland and Reflection
When the time came to fly home, I felt a familiar melancholy—the kind that comes after a trip that shifts something inside you. Galway had opened its doors and Enterprise Ireland had opened its world.
As my plane lifted into the cold December sky pointed toward Pittsburgh, I thought about the small Irish companies preparing products that may someday save lives across the globe, the students and researchers building tomorrow’s technologies in university labs, the executives negotiating partnerships over cups of strong coffee, and the policymakers laying the groundwork for future breakthroughs.
I realized that I had not just observed Ireland’s medtech ecosystem—I had been invited into it. And I left with one clear understanding: Ireland is not just participating in the global medtech industry—it is truly shaping it.
Enterprise Ireland’s dedication, the country’s collaborative spirit, and the extraordinary talent clustered in Galway make this small island a global powerhouse. I feel profoundly grateful to have been there—to witness it, to learn from it, and now, to share its story.
Author’s Note: A special acknowledgment and thanks to Priscilla Thomas, Emily Beaman, and everyone at Global Situation Room, Inc. (our U.S. facilitator with Enterprise Ireland)—whose organizing, assistance, and support made all of this possible!
Christopher Cussat
Christopher Cussat brings a unique blend of creativity, scholarship, and storytelling to his role as Senior Writer/Editor at Healthcare Business Today. A graduate of Duquesne University with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in English, Christopher has spent more than two decades crafting compelling stories that inform, inspire, and connect readers across diverse industries.
His bylines have appeared in an impressive range of publications, including Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Advantage, American Builders Quarterly, Canadian Executive Quarterly, Energy International Quarterly, Hispanic Executive Quarterly, Northern Connection Magazine, The Strip Magazine, and Western Pennsylvania Hospital News.
Before joining Healthcare Business Today, Christopher served as Associate Director of Admissions at Duquesne University, where he recruited and advised students in the pharmacy, natural sciences, and health sciences programs. In this role, he traveled extensively throughout the region and beyond, representing the university at academic fairs and conferences. This experience not only strengthened his communication and storytelling skills but also gave him firsthand exposure to the people, programs, and institutions shaping the future of healthcare education.
