Dublin has fast become one of the most vibrant cities in the world for startups. Irish entrepreneur and New York Startup scene veteran Niamh Bushnell has been announced as Dublin's first Commissioner for Startups.  

Bushnell told Irish technology media publication Silicon Republic.

“It’s been so exciting to see the Dublin tech scene rise up over the last few years. We have the opportunity to build on the success to date and become one of the great start-up capitals of the world and I’m looking forward to helping us get there and stay there.”

Bushnell is a former Enterprise Ireland executive based in New York. She subsequently founded Tech Resources which was behind the creation of a resource helping Irish companies planning to do business in the US. She was also recently appointed entrepreneur in residence at Talent Tech Labs in Manhattan.

The role of the new Startup Commissioner is to take strategic responsibility for making Dublin the best place in Europe to start and grow a tech and innovative business. This new job is funded privately through the DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs. Bushnell’s job will be to develop international recognition of Dublin as an innovation hub where companies will start-up, scale faster and create long-term sustainable jobs and added value to the economy.

The commissioner for start-ups was pushed through by Dublin Chamber of Commerce and Dublin City Council.

The new commissioner will work with Dublin City Council, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices to realize the potential of Dublin’s existing business ecosystem, which already supports a wide range of tech and innovative start-ups and acts as a base for many global tech companies.

“We see the Dublin commissioner for start-ups as making an important contribution to the city council’s expanded economic development role,” said Owen Keegan, chief executive of Dublin City Council.

“We look forward to working closely with Niamh to improve the services and assistance we offer to start-up businesses.