Some of Ireland’s biggest companies are hunting office space in Galway, highlighting the city’s increased desirability by the business community. The tech sector is Galway’s fastest-growing industry, followed by tourism and manufacturing.
A thriving business environment means the job outlook in Galway is on the rise. In fact, financial experts believe all the leading business sectors in the city will have open job positions for those seeking employment.
Aerogen
Medical Device giant Aerogen is one of the biggest companies in the city. Last year, the company generated over €120 million in revenue and employs about 500 people within the city but has many more employees around the country.
Aerogen specializes in creating medical devices for treating respiratory diseases. It played a vital role in helping fight the 2019 coronavirus disease four years ago. Since then, it has doubled down on its mission to create non-invasive ways of delivering drugs to the lungs.
Aerogen has been around for more than 20 years. While it has been expanding around Europe, it is still committed to the Galway economy. This means it is constantly donating money to local charities. It also gives the locals a priority during employment.
Grafton Digital
Grafton Digital began in 2018 as a college idea between two friends—Erik Jentetics and Daragh Jordan. The idea was to modernise businesses in Ireland by helping them develop an online presence.
Six years down the line, Grafton Digital is one of the best businesses to work for in Galway. This is especially true if you’re skilled in computer programming, web design, digital marketing, or animation.
The business is growing rapidly and now features an office in New York. Although the company is determined to grow in the US, it has no plans to abandon Galway any time soon.
Builin Blasta
Builin Blasta has an interesting history. It started as a local café for native Irish speakers. But after months of underperforming in the market, it found an innovative way to increase its income.
It launched a new product to its menu—homemade condiments. It then marketed its new line of products throughout the city and later forged a partnership with Supervalu Food Academy.
Today, Builin Blasta is one of the most successful food businesses in Galway. This is all thanks to its founder’s decision to try different ideas after his original idea failed to work.
Clean Cut Meals
The food business is a multi-million industry in Galway. Michael Dyer and Conor McCallion discovered this very thing back in college and partnered to create a highly successful business.
At its core, Clean Cut Meals creates prepped meals for busy professionals across Galway. The company originated aimed to prep healthy meals for people who love to work out.
It still prioritises healthy eating in its recipes. However, the menu has broadened to include meals catered to different types of people. The best thing about the company is that it is a highly charitable business.
During the pandemic, Clean Cut Meals donated thousands of free meals to frontline workers. Over time, it has also supported local charities in various ways.
The Dough Bros
You don’t need to be from Galway to have an idea of what the Dough Bros do. They specialize in food, more so pizza with creative toppings. The business consists of brothers Ronan and Eugene Greaney.
In 2013, the brothers were out of work but had a passion for food. They leased a truck and began their pizza business around the city. In the next decade, the Dough Bros grew to become one of the best pizza takeaway businesses in the area.
Seapoint Leisure Arcade
For over 20 years, Seapoint Arcade has been providing fun in Galway. A family-owned business based in Salthill, Seapoint provides a range of activities. Famed primarily for its bustling bingo games that they hold 4 nights a week, it’s a common haunt of locals.
Seapoint has become an institution in Galway since its opening, and is a huge provider of jobs in the city due to its size, the range of games offered, and being situated in an idyllic location right next to the sea. From penny falls to casino games, it has it all.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy but you don’t get a chance to visit Seapoint while you’re in Galway, keep an eye out for the multitude of online casinos that have emerged across Ireland since their legalisation.
Gran Grans Foods
Gran Grans Foods is yet another food business from Galway making waves throughout the country. The company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, having opened in 2004.
The couple behind this business, Nigel and Magaly Murray, have always had a passion for the food and beverage business. When the two first met, they opened an Irish-themed pub in Peru.
They later relocated to Galway to start a business centred on condiments, sauces, and jams. Besides their main food business, Nigel and Magaly own a pantry where they stock products from local food providers. Additionally, the hard-working couple has a coffee shop that specializes in Peruvian organic coffee.
Orrecco
Orrecco is a fitness company that helps athletes maximize their talent and stay fit throughout their careers. Orrecco is deeply rooted in Artificial Intelligence and big data analysis.
The company uses large volumes of data to analyze athletes’ performances over the years. It then uses AI to help athletes discover how to minimize injuries in their careers.
The team at Orrecco consists of some of Ireland’s most talented data scientists and AI experts. This team has worked with athletes in six major sports and dozens of sports teams.
For example, it has helped players at Chelsea Women FC in London, the Dallas Mavericks NBA team, and Harlequins RFC. The two founders behind this company, Brian Moore and Andrew Hodgson, say their company is committed to helping athletes perform optimally all around the world.
Marteye
For a long time, farmers in Ireland didn’t have an online presence. But thanks to companies like Marteye, they can buy and sell their livestock and food products online hassle-free.
Marteye launched in 2020 after the pandemic crippled cattle marts throughout the country. Mark McGann and Ciaran Feeney came together to start an online mart headquartered in Galway.
It didn’t take long for the business to take off. Marteye attracted 50,000 users within six months and raised over €150 million in a year. Today, the business has more than 120,000 users who use it to buy and sell livestock, horses, and machinery.
What’s more, it has expanded beyond Ireland. It operates in four countries and works with more than 70 auction centres.
