In a move that’s sure to make Galway the real Silicon Docks, US health data platform Datavant has announced it’s setting up shop in the City of Tribes. By 2027, they’ll create an “initial” 125 jobs—because apparently, even job creation comes with version updates these days.
The company is opening a shiny new global R&D centre, and recruitment is already underway for engineering roles so hot they might as well come with a pot of tea and a side of Tayto crisps. The team will start off at the Portershed (hipster-approved) before moving to a city centre location by year’s end. No word yet on whether there will be free kombucha on tap—but fingers crossed!
What’s on the Job Menu?
Most of the roles will focus on building Datavant’s privacy and linkage technologies. Translation? They’re making sure your medical records don’t accidentally end up in someone else’s inbox—or worse, their Instagram feed. There are also openings for tech gurus to keep everything secure, because nobody wants their healthcare data turning into ransomware bait.
Galway’s new squad will join forces with Datavant’s UK crew—a mix of engineers, data scientists, privacy wizards, and product management pros who probably know more about GDPR than most lawyers. Speaking of leadership…
Meet Ciaran O’Toole: The Man Who Herds Code Ninjas
Ciaran O’Toole has been appointed as vice president of engineering and Galway technical lead. Before joining Datavant, he helped build another Boston-based company’s Irish engineering team while sipping coffee in Galway.
Now, he’s back to do it all over again—but this time, with bigger goals. According to Mr. O’Toole, Datavant isn’t stopping at 125 jobs; they plan to keep growing post-2027 with additional tech roles and corporate functions. So if you’ve ever dreamed of working in tech without having to move to Dublin or San Francisco, now’s your chance!
Why Galway? Because It’s Not Just About the Oysters
Two big reasons brought Datavant across the Atlantic:
- Talent Pool: Galway’s got brains—and not just from too many late-night study sessions at NUIG. The region is teeming with health tech talent ready to tackle fragmented data like it’s a Sunday crossword puzzle.
- Proximity to EU Customers: Let’s face it, no one likes long Zoom calls when they could pop over for a quick chat—and maybe a pint.
Solving Healthcare’s Big Mess
CEO Kyle Armbrester summed it up perfectly: “We’re solving one of the biggest challenges in healthcare—fragmented data.” In other words, imagine trying to solve a jigsaw puzzle where half the pieces are missing, and the ones you have are scattered across three different continents. That’s modern healthcare data. Datavant’s platform aims to securely shuffle those pieces around until we get a full picture of patient health—no more silos, no more inefficiencies, and hopefully fewer awkward billing errors.
Michael Lohan, CEO of the IDA, welcomed Datavant with open arms, calling them “a welcome addition” to Galway’s thriving healthcare tech scene. And honestly, who wouldn’t want to be part of a city that combines cutting-edge innovation with scenic views of the Claddagh?
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