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Silicon Republic
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Sci-tech news and views since 2001. Voted Ireland's best science & technology website 7 times. News and deep-dives on tech, life science and innovation.
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Luminate Medical, a Galway-based medtech company, has announced the raising of $21m as part of an expanded Series A funding round, as well as the creation of 130 new jobs.

Galway’s Luminate expanding home cancer treatments amid raise of $21m in funds
Galway's Luminate Medical will expand it's home cancer treatment options with the recent funding of $21m in a Series A funding round.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Check out today's Daily Brief for the latest sci-tech news, including:

🔬 Stripe YSTE kicks off
🔎 FT: China reviewing Meta’s acquisition of Manus
🎼 Universal Music signs new AI deal with Nvidia

...and more!
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Stripe YSTE kicks off
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January 7, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Popular chatting platform Discord has confidentially filed for an initial public offering, reports Bloomberg, citing sources close to the matter.
Bloomberg: Discord files for IPO under the radar
Discord has been considering an IPO for years. In 2021, it rejected a reported $10bn takeover bid by Microsoft.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:17 AM
Julie Collison discusses her role in the data and AI space, as well as the elements of the industry that keep her motivated.

‘Done well, data and AI improves accountability – done badly, they amplify risk’
Julie Collison explores the data and AI industries and how a strong foundation is the basis for a resilient career.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:06 AM
US chipmaker Nvidia and music platform Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced plans for a partnership that will see UMG leverage Nvidia’s AI infrastructure across its music catalogue.

Universal Music enters into Nvidia deal to expand AI capabilities
Nvidia and Universal Music Group (UMG) have brokered a partnership that will deploy AI tech across UMG's catalogue holding millions of tracks.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:56 AM
The surprise acquisition by Meta of Chinese-founded AI player, Manus, has drawn the attention of authorities in Beijing, the FT is reporting.
Chinese authorities reviewing Meta $2bn acquisition of Manus - FT
Chinese founded AI start-up Manus was snapped up by Meta last week for $2bn. Now authorities in Beiijing are reviewing the acquisition.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:52 AM
This year, more than 1,000 students will be presenting 550 projects, competing for more than 200 prizes. By the end of the week, one individual or team will receive the title award as Stripe Young Scientist and Technologist of the year.
Thousands expected to attend as YSTE’26 kicks off with Stripe at helm
The much-awaited annual Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition kicks off today with Stripe as title sponsor for the first time.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Even the best laid plans can fall asunder, but that doesn’t mean they need to be abandoned altogether.

Top tips for sticking to your skill goals, new and old
It takes commitment sticking to upskilling goals throughout the year, but if you follow a few simple steps it is more than achievable.
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January 6, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Consultancy giant Accenture has announced plans to acquire Faculty, a UK-based firm providing AI services to major global businesses, governments and public institutions.
Accenture plans to acquire UK AI firm Faculty
Accenture is acquiring Faculty, a UK-based firm providing AI services to major global businesses, governments and public institutions.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
2026 is going to be your year and with that potential comes a little bit of work for those whose new start begins with a new role.

Does ‘new year, new you’ mean a new CV?
For those looking for a new role in the new year, an updated CV should be the first action you take, to set you up for a successful 2026.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Positive Carbon, the Dublin AI start-up tackling food waste, has secured a strategic investment from Redesdale Food and Beverage Fund, with co-investment from Enterprise Ireland.
Redesdale backs Dublin food waste prevention start-up Positive Carbon
Positive Carbon, the Dublin AI start-up tackling food waste, has secured a strategic investment from Redesdale Food and Beverage Fund.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Take a look at today’s Daily Brief for the latest sci-tech news, such as:

🚗 Nvidia reveals AI tools for autonomous vehicles
🤖 Legal AI start-up Harvey to create 20 jobs in Dublin
💻 Integrity360 expands into North America

...and more!
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Nvidia reveals AI for AVs
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January 6, 2026 at 10:23 AM
‘Alpamayo’ is touted to be the industry’s first chain-of-thought reasoning vision language action model designed for the autonomous vehicle research. The new tool – built for Level 4 autonomy – allows AI systems to “act with human-like judgement” when presented with new scenarios, said Nvidia.
Nvidia unveils open-source AI models for next-gen self-driving vehicles
Nvidia unveiled Alpamayo, a family of open-source AI models targeting next-generation reasoning-based autonomous vehicles.
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January 6, 2026 at 10:15 AM
Irish cybersecurity company Integrity360 has announced plans to target the North American market, with the acquisition of Canadian cybersecurity services and solutions provider Advantus360.
Irish Integrity360 expands with acquisition of Canadian Advantus360
Irish cybersecurity provider Integrity360 will move into the North American market with the acquisition of Alberta-based Advantus360.
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January 6, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Big news from Cork, as CEO Frank Brennan acquires Republic of Work from investors and shareholders.
CEO Brennan acquires Cork’s Republic of Work from shareholders
After nine years, and rocky times during the pandemic, Republic of Work CEO Frank Brennan has aquired the hub from its investors and shareholders.
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January 6, 2026 at 8:38 AM
OpenAI-backed legal AI start-up Harvey is planning 20 hires in Dublin alongside an office launch in the city late this March. Hiring will kick off today (6 January), with international controller and business recruiter jobs up first, the company said.
Legal AI start-up Harvey to open Dublin office with 20 jobs
OpenAI-backed legal AI start-up Harvey is planning 20 hires in Dublin alongside the launch of its first office in the city this March.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Professors Barry O’Sullivan and V S Subrahmanian discuss the value of a AI-powered drone defence system paired with human judgement.
Opinion: Why Ireland needs human-AI drone defence
Professors Barry O’Sullivan and V S Subrahmanian discuss the value of a AI-powered drone defence system paired with human judgement.
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January 5, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Irina Rets of The Open University explores how institutions may be failing to equip teenagers with the skills needed to succeed in a modern world.

Are young people being prepared for the jobs of 25 years ago?
According to Irina Rets, young people today may not be in an environment that is teaching them enough skills for the future of work.
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January 5, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Chinese carmaker BYD has managed to overtake Tesla as the world’s largest seller of battery electric vehicles – despite growing at its slowest pace in five years.
vist.ly/4kj88
China’s BYD topples Tesla as top battery EV seller
Chinese carmaker BYD has managed to overtake Telsa as the world’s largest seller of electric vehicles, hitting more than 2.6m sales in 2025.
https://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/byd-tesla-electric-vehicle-china-us-sales-2025-2026–
January 5, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Which tech skills could give you the best foundation for an exciting and successful professional year?

Trendy tech skills to prioritise in 2026
It is 2026 and there are a range of skills technology experts should prioritise if they want to have an innovative and productive year.
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January 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Which tech skills could give you the best foundation for an exciting and successful professional year?

Trendy tech skills to prioritise in 2026
It is 2026 and there are a range of skills technology experts should prioritise if they want to have an innovative and productive year.
www.siliconrepublic.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Check out today's Daily Brief for the latest sci-tech news, including:

Meta acquires Manus for more than $2bn
€23m boost for Irish European Digital Innovation Hubs
Ireland added 61,500 jobs in first three quarters of 2025

...and more!
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Meta acquires Manus for more than $2bn
mailchi.mp
January 5, 2026 at 9:52 AM
The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD has highlighted figures indicating that in the first three-quarters of last year, Ireland’s economy showed great resiliency and drive.

Irish employment up by more than 61,000 in first three-quarters of 2025
The Irish Government has commented on figures showing Ireland's employment rose by more than 60,000 in the first three-quarters of 2025.
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January 5, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Meta acquires Chinese-founded Manus for over $2bn in AI push.
Meta acquires Chinese-founded Manus for over $2bn in AI push
Meta continued its efforts to up its game in AI over the holiday season with the acquisition of the much talked about Chinese-founded start-up Manus.
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January 5, 2026 at 9:10 AM
Ireland has announced an additional €23m in funding for the country’s four European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) as the programme enters its second phase this year.
€23m boost for Irish digital hubs as EU programme enters second leg
The new funding will help Ireland's EDIHs improve enterprise competitiveness in the country by offering technology and financing support.
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January 5, 2026 at 8:42 AM