Dublin has a rich history when it comes to tech companies, and as a tech hub it has an enviable reputation that is well-deserved. Over the last couple of decades, it has been taking significant steps to attract leading tech companies to create a base within the city.

IBM was the first American tech company to choose to set up their Irish subsidiary. This was a decision that they made in 1956, and they still have an impressive presence in Dublin today. They were followed just a year later by Ericsson, the Swedish multinational, who chose to make an investment in Dublin facilities.  Other big names within the tech industry were quick to follow with well known brand names like Dell, Hewlett Packard and Microsoft also choosing Dublin and boosting its growth as a result.

The tech industry in Ireland currently employs over 37,000, generating €35 billion in export revenue, and is the home to household names like Amazon and Google. Even better, with more tech companies from the US and the rest of the world considering making the move this is good news for any SEO agency in Dublin – like us – that thrives on growth.

Why are tech companies choosing Dublin?

The businesses that are choosing Dublin come from a range of different industries. They are selecting Dublin not only for its vibrant culture but also for the business-friendly tax infrastructure that it offers as a member of the EU. They are also choosing Dublin because:

• It offers a skilled English-speaking workforce that is readily available
• There is also a good sized pool of international workers available as well
• There is a rich tech startup ecosystem
• There is already a
• The Irish government invests heavily in R&D, with much of this investment being directed towards innovation in tech
• Quality of life in Ireland is good, whilst Dublin is a big city it has a good transport infrastructure and plenty of suburban areas with reasonably priced housing where there is plenty of fresh air. There is also access to plenty of good schools within the area for those employees with families and, of course, Dublin University
• Within Dublin, there are a lot of tech-focused accelerators and incubators
• For modern, forward-thinking companies, the open culture and diverse population are a big draw

Ultimately, Dublin’s proven track record which stretches back over several decades make it an ideal choice for those tech giants who are looking for a long-term destination where they can invest in the future of their own business.

Google

Having chosen to base their European headquarters in Dublin, Google occupies a number of buildings across the city, and in the docklands areas. They first established themselves in Ireland in 2003 with just a few employees. However, the company has grown to present day where they have around 5,500 employees and are one of the largest employers in the tech sector in Ireland.

A number of Google’s operations are now run from Dublin together with some of their core functions including finance and engineering. The roles that are undertaken within the Dublin office are also diverse, offering a wide range of jobs within the local economy. The significance of this location often brings in stakeholders from around the world further boosting the local economy.

Bringing in an annual revenue of around €72.6 billion is of significant value to the Irish economy. Furthermore,  it is estimated that a new wave of AI tools, something that Google is pushing hard for, has the potential to boost the economy in Ireland up by as much €45 billion per year within a 10 year period. This means an additional 8% value to be added to the GDP of Ireland.

The tech giant has made significant investments in the local area and attracts others where they lead. Their very presence in the city makes it more attractive to technology startups in a way that cannot be overstated

Amazon

Another tech giant, Amazon, has had a base in Ireland since 2004, which has seen them investing heavily in the infrastructure and creating jobs for local people. They currently employ around 6,500 individuals across three communities and data centres based across Ireland  in Cork, Dublin and Drogheda. Dublin is the site of Amazon’s first Irish fulfilment centre, which employs around 500 people.

They have also recently made the announcement that they will be creating a new data centre in Grange Castle, Dublin. The area is favourable to Amazon with a readily available workforce with expertise in the digital service economy.

Amazon estimates that they have invested around €18 billion in Ireland since 2020.

IBM

Already one of the top multinational tech companies in Dublin, Ireland, IBM has been operating in the country since 2011. They currently employ 3000 staff at their Dublin based research lab.

They have recently announced plans to recruit a further 800 employees over the course of the next three years for roles that will be in AI technology. They have indicated that this decision has been made based on the current technology climate. The decision to further expand within Ireland is due to the readily available highly talented workforce in the Dublin region.

IBM recently reported three monthly profits of €17.38 billion from their Irish holdings, figures which were up on their estimates.

Microsoft

With offices in Dublin, and Belfast, Microsoft has a substantial presence in Ireland. They employ over 3500 people from over 90 different nationalities making their workforce an incredibly diverse one. These individuals are employed in a range of roles including those working with AI and within startup ecosystems.

They first set up premises in Dublin in 1985, and have grown significantly over the years, investing in both people and services within the area. In recent years, they have created custom built premises, where the majority of their staff work, at a cost of €134 million, signalling a clear commitment to remaining in Ireland for the foreseeable future.

In the 12 months ending June 2023 Microsoft Ireland announced revenues of €69.9 billion with profits of €3.9 billion pre-tax.

Dublin is unquestionably a great base for many of the top tech companies to expand into, and this can only have a positive impact on Ireland’s wider economy as a result.