Scotland and Ireland's Shared Path to International Growth

Crossing borders, without the right connections, can stall a company for years. The Celtic Link is built to change that.

CodeBase and Republic of Work have launched the Celtic Link, a cross-border programme lowering the barriers for startups looking to expand between Scotland and the EU. 

Most founders know when they're ready to go international. What stops them isn't lack of ambition. It's access: no network, no base, no warm introductions. CodeBase and Republic of Work have built something to close that gap.

CodeBase is proud to announce its partnership with Republic of Work, Cork's internationally recognised innovation hub, to launch the Celtic Link, a cross-border programme designed to lower the barriers for startups and SMEs looking to expand internationally.

Through an initial 6 to 12 month pilot, the partnership will deliver a direct pathway for Scottish founders and the Techscaler community to Ireland’s thriving tech ecosystem and a gateway to scale into the wider EU single market. 

‍

What the Celtic Link delivers for founders

The programme is centered around removing the friction that typically comes with cross-border expansion, providing a low-cost and low-risk alternative path. 

Founders will benefit from:

• Complimentary or discounted workspace access in both Cork and Edinburgh, giving companies a base for operations in a new market from day one.
• Direct introductions to investors, mentors, and local networks, providing warm connections that would otherwise take months to build.
• Joint events, pitch opportunities, and market-entry workshops designed to accelerate go-to-market strategy in an unfamiliar territory. 
• Access to talent pipelines and remote collaboration opportunities, helping teams hire and grow across borders.

‍

^“
The 'Celtic Link' is about creating a low-cost, high-impact corridor for our founders. By partnering with CodeBase and the Techscaler network, we are giving Cork startups a home in Edinburgh and providing Scottish firms with a clear, supported path into the EU single market through Cork.
_{Frank Brennan, CEO of Republic of Work}

‍

Two ecosystems, one shared ambition 

A direct flight has always linked Cork and Edinburgh, two of Europe's most active startup cities; the Celtic Link is what turns that proximity into opportunity. 

Ranked among Europe's Top 50 Startup Hubs by the Financial Times, Republic of Work is a gateway for startups. Through programmes like the NDRC accelerator, it gives companies real access to mentorship, funding, and the infrastructure needed to scale within Ireland's pro-business environment and the wider EU single market.

For CodeBase, the Celtic Link is a natural extension of what we've always done, backing founders at every stage and cementing our position as the growth platform for Scottish tech. Through the Techscaler programme, built in collaboration with the Scottish Government, Irish companies gain a direct route into the UK market and access to one of the UK’s largest startup support systems. Scottish founders get the reverse: a credible, connected entry point into the EU.

^“
Our partnership with Republic of Work gives Scottish founders access to an internationally recognised network in Ireland as they look to expand into the wider EU Market.  We’re excited to welcome founders from Cork and support them in establishing a pathway into the UK market through Scotland.
_{Helen Tate, Head of Strategic Partnerships at CodeBase}

‍

What's next 

To mark the launch of the Celtic Link, CodeBase and Republic of Work will be hosting joint events in both Edinburgh and Cork in the coming weeks. These will be an opportunity for founders from both ecosystems to meet, connect, and explore what cross-border growth could look like for their business.

If you're a founder thinking seriously about international expansion, these are the rooms worth being in. Watch this space for details around the event and how to get involved. 

‍