Future Cast

What Future Cast does

Future Cast, legally operating as W8 Innovation, is an Irish non-profit centre for Innovation, Education, and Research & Development dedicated to the Construction, Manufacturing, and Quarrying industries. It is the promoting agency of the Industry 4.0 Skillnet, a government-subsidised training network co-funded by the Government of Ireland, the European Union's Just Transition Fund (2021-2027), and Erasmus+. The organisation runs three owned facilities: a Research & Development Centre and headquarters in Manorhamilton (W8 Centre, Co. Leitrim), a Mechanical & Electrical Training and Assessment Facility in Ballaghaderreen (Co. Roscommon), and a Testing Laboratory in Collooney (Co. Sligo) housing a COBOD 3D concrete printer. Its technology stack centres on 3D Construction Printing, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Digital Twin and 3D scanning (including Scan-to-Plan), and Drone-based aerial data capture for site inspection, mapping and stockpile measurement.

The business model combines a recurring membership programme (€79/month, positioned as 'flexible rates for companies of any size'), subsidised training delivered through the Industry 4.0 Skillnet, fee-for-service training courses (3D concrete printing, drone operations, BIM), Digital Twin scanning services, room hire and hotdesking, and non-dilutive R&D grant funding through Irish state programmes (CEIGS, Skillnet, JT Funds) and EU/Interreg NPA and Erasmus+ consortium grants (BIO-2-PRINT, AMPLE, FEMCON, WICEPS, CoHER, VIRTASK, GRASP). Customers range from sole traders to enterprise contractors, quarry operators and manufacturing supply-chain firms; named members include Haran and Associates, High Therm Homes, FeeCast Concrete and Kerrigan's Quarry, and named project partners include Harcourt Technologies, Roadstone (CRH), Louth County Council, LMETB, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, Enterprise Ireland, ATU Sligo, MTU and Centria (Finland). Distribution is direct via membership and on-site courses, plus channel partnerships with the two ETBs and EU consortium dissemination.

Marketing and customer acquisition rely on a content-led, community-led motion: a corporate website (futurecast.info), active Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn presence, a newsletter, EU project publications, and participation in Irish and European industry events such as CitA Tech Live, CIF Digital Construction Summit, Skillnet Ireland Convention and the National Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference. Leadership is anchored by CEO JJ O'Hara and Director of Education Mary Whitney (founding member of Women in Construction Quarrying Ireland), with a small named team of eight including a Skillnet Manager, Marketing Manager/Coordinator, HR/Finance Administrator, 3D Construction Printing Expert Mark McGowan, and geo-technical/quality scientist Dr Julia Montelin Powers. The organisation does not have venture capital, equity funding or a parent company, and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Future Cast

Legal name

W8 Innovation

Website

https://futurecast.info

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Future Cast (legally W8 Innovation) is an Irish non-profit centre for Innovation, Education, and Research & Development serving the Construction, Manufacturing, and Quarrying industries. It operates the Industry 4.0 Skillnet, three regional facilities in Manorhamilton, Ballaghaderreen and Collooney, and delivers training and R&D in 3D construction printing, BIM, digital twins and drones.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Industry Training and Innovation Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Other Specialized Design Services (54149), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM) (IMAAAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), Conferences, Workshops & Industry Events (AM Knowledge Sharing) (IMAAAJAL)

Keywords

• Construction technology training
• Building information modelling
• 3D construction printing
• Workforce upskilling programmes
• Innovation research development

Headquarters

HQ city

Manorhamilton

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Monthly membership fees providing access to training, innovation, R&D services, and Industry 4.0 Skillnet courses for companies in construction and quarrying sectors.
2. Government-Subsidised Training: Training programmes partially funded through Skillnet subsidies, making advanced technology training more accessible to member companies.
3. Research and Development Grants: Funding from government bodies and EU programmes for R&D projects in construction technology, sustainability, and workforce development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Future Cast operates as a centre for Innovation, Education, and R&D serving the construction, manufacturing, and quarrying supply chains in Ireland. It delivers subsidised technology training through the Industry 4.0 Skillnet (3D construction printing, BIM, drones, AI, VR/AR), Digital Twin and 3D scanning services, M&E training at dedicated facilities, and R&D activities through a Testing Laboratory in Collooney and R&D Centre in Manorhamilton. Offerings are accessed primarily through a paid monthly membership programme and fee-for-service training courses.

Product overview

Future Cast is a centre for Innovation, Education, and Research & Development focused on advancing the Construction, Manufacturing, and Quarrying industries. The organisation offers a portfolio of interconnected services including R&D Centre facilities in Manorhamilton, Industry 4.0 Skillnet subsidised training programmes, Digital Twin services (3D Tours, Industrial 3D Scanning, BIM Models, Scan-to-Plan), and a Mechanical & Electrical Training Facility. Key technology solutions include Concrete 3D Printing using COBOD printers and Building Information Modelling (BIM). Training programmes span 3D Construction Printing, Drone Operations, BIM, and various Industry 4.0 technologies. Membership provides access to training, funding expertise, innovation support, and international connections for construction and quarrying companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Programme Paid monthly subscription that gives construction, manufacturing and quarrying companies access to Future Cast's Industry 4.0 Skillnet training catalogue, funding expertise, innovation support and international connections at €79/month. Targets sole traders through to enterprise-sized businesses in the construction and quarrying supply chain.
• Industry 4.0 Skillnet Training Government-subsidised training catalogue covering PLC systems, Artificial Intelligence, Agile & Lean, Virtual/Augmented Reality, and 3D printing, offered to construction and quarrying member companies through Future Cast's role as promoting agency of the Industry 4.0 Skillnet.
• Introduction to 3D Construction Printing Course One-day face-to-face course delivering the fundamentals of 3D construction printing — equipment, processes, materials, opportunities and limitations — for AEC and manufacturing professionals at the Testing Lab in Collooney, Co Sligo. First-of-kind training in Ireland, free under Skills to Advance.
• Practical Drone 1-Day Training Course One-day hands-on drone training covering drone registration, regulations, craft familiarisation, operations and safety, software and data processing, and real industry applications for construction, quarrying, agriculture and engineering professionals. Subsidised to €60 (normally €300) via JTF funding.
• Digital Twin Services Digital twin service package comprising 3D Tours, Industrial Projects with Precision 3D Scanning, BIM Models created from 3D Scanning, and Scan-to-Plan deliverables, aimed at construction and industrial clients.
• Mechanical & Electrical Training Facility Mechanical & Electrical Training and Assessment Facility in Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon delivering practical, industry-recognised training and certifications in electrical safety, automation, mechanical systems and advanced welding for manufacturing and construction sectors. Co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the EU through the Just Transition Fund Programme 2021-2027.
• Research and Development Centre Research and Development Centre based in Manorhamilton showcasing emerging technologies and modern methods of construction to construction and quarrying industry clients and member companies.
• Testing Laboratory State-of-the-art Testing Laboratory in Collooney, Co Sligo equipped with cutting-edge 3D concrete printing and materials-testing equipment for R&D in the construction and quarrying sectors.
• Innovation Services Innovation consulting and project support working with construction and manufacturing companies to identify and realise the benefits of innovative solutions for industry-specific challenges.
• Room Hire and Hotdesking Flexible workspace offering including meeting room hire and hotdesking for companies in the construction and quarrying sectors and their supply chains, hosted at Future Cast's facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ professionals trained in 3D concrete printing through partnership with LMETB
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability13 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Industry 4.0 SkillnetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuture Cast is the promoting agency of the Industry 4.0 Skillnet, a government-subsidised organisation providing accessible and affordable training in Industry 4.0 technologies. The Skillnet applies discounts to relevant training courses in PLC systems, AI, Agile & Lean, VR/AR, and 3D printing.
• Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL)coreTechnology or IntegrationLead technology partner for 3D construction printing projects. HTL designed the digital building models and operates the COBOD 3D concrete printer for Ireland's first 3D printed homes project in Dundalk.
• Louth County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Ireland's first 3D printed homes social housing project at Grange Close in Dundalk, Co. Louth.
• Louth & Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in 3D printed homes project; purchased a 3D concrete printer rig as part of Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence. Over 100 people have completed training through this partnership.
• Roadstone Ltd (CRH company)majorTechnology or IntegrationProvided low-carbon embodied printed concrete for 3D construction printing projects, ensuring sustainability is at the forefront of the technology.
• Mayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (ETB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership under Skills to Advance funds to deliver 100% free 3D Construction Printing Course for professionals in AEC and manufacturing sectors at the Testing Lab in Collooney.
• Enterprise IrelandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey strategic partner who visited the Testing Laboratory in Collooney. Enterprise Ireland represents a cornerstone partnership supporting innovation in construction and quarrying.
• ATU SligomajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating on events such as Future in Tech & You for Transition Year girls and other educational initiatives.
• Centria University of Applied Sciences (Finland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BIO-2-PRINT project developing sustainable feedstock for 3D printing from underutilised natural fibres.
• Munster Technological University (MTU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in BIO-2-PRINT project for sustainable 3D printing materials research.
• FEMCON Consortium PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ funded project partners: NOT (Poland), Outside Media (Germany), Fundación Laboral de la Construcción (Spain), European Learning (Denmark), and Future Cast & Momentum (Ireland) working to advance women in construction.
• CoHER ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerErasmus+ ConstructHer Future project coordinating European efforts to transform construction into an inclusive field where women are supported and recognised, with Future Cast as the coordinator.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Apis Cor: US-based 3D construction printing company developing proprietary printers and full building delivery. Comparable emerging player advancing 3DCP technology adoption and training ecosystem globally.
• COBOD International: Danish 3D construction printer manufacturer whose COBOD BOD2 printers are used in Future Cast's training and the Dundalk housing project. Comparable in advancing 3DCP adoption through equipment, training, and project delivery.

Direct peers

• Harcourt Technologies Ltd (HTL): Ireland-based 3D construction printing specialist using COBOD technology for printed buildings, including Dundalk social housing. Direct peer in 3DCP delivery and partner on Ireland's first 3D printed homes with Future Cast.
• Ciria: UK construction industry research and information association delivering collaborative research, guidance, and training. Closely comparable to Future Cast's research, training, and best-practice dissemination role in construction.
• Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) UK: UK statutory training body for the construction industry that funds, coordinates, and delivers training, certification, and skills development. Mirrors Future Cast's role as a construction-sector training coordinator with industry levy/funding mechanisms.
• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): UK-based R&D and training centre that bridges manufacturing innovation and industry adoption. Comparable to Future Cast in combining applied R&D, training facilities, and industry partnerships for advanced manufacturing processes.

Regional players

• National Digital Research Centre (NDRC): Irish government-backed digital innovation hub supporting founders and SMEs in commercialising research. Comparable non-profit innovation intermediary model operating in Ireland with similar mission of research-to-industry commercialisation.
• ATU (Atlantic Technological University): Irish technological university with Sligo campus hosting engineering, construction, and applied research programmes. Future Cast collaborates with ATU Sligo on events and educational initiatives targeting construction-tech skills.

Broad incumbents

• Construction Industry Federation (CIF): Ireland's main construction industry representative body running training, events, and policy advocacy. Overlaps with Future Cast on industry training, events like CIF Digital Construction Summit, and sector coordination.
• Skillnet Ireland: National enterprise-led training network operator of which Future Cast's Industry 4.0 Skillnet is a member network. Both operate subsidised workforce upskilling programmes for industry clusters in Ireland.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/futurecastireland
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/future-cast
• Instagraminstagram.com/futurecastire

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Future Cast