Maryland Commerce Wraps Up Overseas Trade Mission in Ireland
BALTIMORE, MD (June 16, 2025) — The Maryland Department of Commerce has completed the second leg of its European economic development mission with a new international partnership and a foreign direct investment win in Ireland.
Brightbeam, an Irish company that helps enterprises harness artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and customer experiences, has announced plans to locate a new office in Maryland. The company will be exploring the Maryland market at the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. as part of the state’s Global Gateway Soft Landing program. With its entrance into the U.S., Brightbeam hopes to double its workforce to 28 employees by the end of the year.
Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. and agency representatives met with Brightbeam CEO Brian Hanly at Platform94, the region’s largest technology innovation center. While visiting the Galway incubator, Maryland Commerce signed a three-year agreement to become an official member of the innovation center, giving the state access to the thriving business community of West Ireland. As a member of Platform94, Maryland will be top of mind for incubator businesses looking to scale their operations in the U.S.
“This overseas trade mission has allowed us to strengthen our international trade relations and increase investment opportunities – both in Ireland and in Maryland,” said Secretary Coker. “We believe our new partnerships with Brightbeam and Platform94 will result in significant collaboration between our two regions, while keeping Maryland at the forefront for Irish businesses looking to expand to America.”
Brightbeam is in good company in Maryland—in December, PRONAV Clinical also joined the Frederick Innovative Technology Center for its soft landing in the Mid Atlantic. As a global leader in clinical trial supply chain operations, PRONAV Clinical is assisting Maryland companies with their pre-clinical trials in Ireland and the United Kingdom. The company aims to be the bridge for American companies expanding their life science efforts overseas.
Commerce leadership also met with the Guinness Enterprise Centre, a thriving business hub home to more than 160 companies and office, co-working, and conference space in Dublin. The visit discussed potential partnerships through the state’s soft landing program, while also exploring ways to collaborate on bilateral job creation and higher education efforts.
This economic development mission builds on Maryland’s growing international relationship with Ireland. In 2024, the state established the Maryland-Ireland Trade Commission in an effort to strengthen economic, educational, and cultural ties between the two regions. Chaired by Maryland Delegate Kenneth Kerr and staffed by Maryland Commerce, the commission is working to develop joint innovation accelerators, workforce training partnerships, soft-landing platforms, and startup exchange programs between Maryland and Ireland.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
