03/12/2025
๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐: Subterranean Software Wins Prestigious Award โ and Showcases Innovation at Inishowen Innovation (ii)
Subterranean Software, a rapidly growing tech company specialising in software for drones operating in underground and constrained environments, has been announced as a winner at this yearโs Stelios Foundation North-South Business Cooperation Awards along with their partner, Good Friday Robotics.
Subterraneanโs work is both technically sophisticated and regionally rooted โ and their success illustrates the power of what a supportive hub like inishowen innovation (ii) can provide.
Founded by Anthony Hutton and Aidan Gallagher and based at the ii (inishowen innovation) in Buncrana, Co. Donegal, Subterranean develops advanced embedded and autonomous software systems that enable drones to navigate environments where GPS is absent, radio links are degraded and visibility is minimal. Their mission is to unlock new possibilities in infrastructure inspection, robotics, and subterranean autonomy โ making them a genuine innovation leader from the region.
๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ข
Subterraneanโs story at ii is a clear example of how a regional innovation ecosystem can work:
โข They began at ii with a hot desk, engaging with the community and utilising the flexible workspace.
โข They attended ii events, connected with peers, learned the landscape, got connected with regional and national support agencies including Alpha Innovation, Donegal LEO, and Enterprise Ireland.
โข As the business developed, they moved into a 2-person office at ii.
โข They now occupy two offices within ii and have expanded their team to six โ including recent graduates and returners to Inishowen.
โข They are recruiting again (for a drone pilot/QA role) as their technical mission expands.
This progression โ from hot desk to small office to growing team to regionally based high-tech company โ highlights how the flexible infrastructure and community at ii support ambitious scale-ups.
๐๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ญ, ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ง๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
One of the most exciting parts of Subterraneanโs story is the way theyโre drawing talent into Inishowen: both local graduates from institutions like Ulster University and ATU Donegal, and professionals returning to the region from elsewhere to work in these high-tech roles. This local anchoring is important โ it means the economic and innovation benefits stay in the region.
As Subterranean grows, theyโre creating opportunities for people to work on robotics and autonomy from Inishowen, helping build out the tech ecosystem here rather than just operating remotely.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ข ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The success of Subterranean at the ii is more than a single company win: it signals whatโs possible for the region, for founders, and for talent. It underlines:
โข That ambitious, specialist tech firms can be based in Inishowen and compete on a global stage.
โข That a hub like ii with flexible space, community events, networking, and ecosystem supports can meaningfully aid that journey.
โข That regional talent can access high-value roles without relocating to the cities.
โข That the regionโs attributes โ good quality of life, access to talent, connectivity โ matter in building innovation capacity.
๐๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐
With the award in hand and the team growing, Subterranean is poised for further expansion and impact. We at the ii are proud to be their home and look forward to supporting the next phase: more talent, more innovation, more growth in Inishowen.
Congratulations to Anthony and Aidan and the entire Subterranean Software team for this recognition โ weโre excited to see what comes next.
