DUBLIN, IRELAND — 26 MAY 2026
IoT Tribe (Tribe), a global accelerator builder and specialist in corporate innovation, announces a three‑year collaboration with Ireland’s Electricity Supply Board (ESB) to run X_Potential, ESB’s flagship innovation incubator, empowering employees to turn bold, low-carbon ventures into validated, high‑potential business opportunities. Delivered through IoT Tribe Europe, Tribe’s newly established Dublin-based entity, the partnership will focus on ESB’s three strategic pillars: decarbonising the electricity system, building resilient infrastructure and empowering customers.
Tribe brings almost a decade of experience delivering high‑performance accelerators, corporate venture engines and innovation programmes across energy, smart infrastructure, industrial tech and security. Having supported over 525 startups and delivered more than 150 pilots and partnerships, Tribe combines deep technical expertise with a global ecosystem to help partners rapidly validate concepts and scale commercially viable solutions.
Image: © Trinity Innovation Hub / Trinity College Dublin
“We’re incredibly excited to be working with ESB on the next phase of X_Potential. What makes this collaboration so powerful is the combination of ESB’s ambition and IoT Tribe’s experience in building programmes that turn strong ideas into real ventures, leveraging cutting-edge research and external investors. Together, we will create the conditions for these ideas to be validated, developed and scaled.”
ESB selected Tribe following a competitive tender process. Tribe’s proven ability to deliver corporate innovation programmes at scale, combined with its operational model, European ecosystem reach and track record in building commercially viable ventures, were key to securing the contract. The new team will be located at Trinity College Dublin’s (Trinity) innovation hub, opened in November last year. Trinity is ranked #1 in Ireland and among the top 100 universities worldwide, which means that X_Potential teams will be embedded in one of Dublin’s innovation hotspots.
Since 2019, X_Potential has operated as an internal innovation platform enabling ESB employees to propose new ideas that advance the organisation’s Net Zero 2040 ambition. Early cohorts have already delivered significant progress.
Under the new collaboration, Tribe will deliver a strengthened and scaled version of X_Potential designed to accelerate ESB’s ability to identify, develop and deploy future‑facing ventures. The enhanced programme will deepen venture quality, shorten the time from idea to deployment and strengthen the pathway from demonstration to scale across ESB’s asset base and customer footprint.
“The energy sector is changing rapidly, and ESB needs to keep creating the space, support and partnerships that help new ideas develop into real solutions. X_Potential plays an important role in that, and this collaboration with IoT Tribe and Trinity College Dublin gives us access to the expertise, structure and external perspective needed to help our people turn strong ideas into ventures with real potential.”
Together, Tribe and ESB are laying the foundation for a new wave of entrepreneurial energy within Ireland’s evolving innovation ecosystem. This collaboration marks an ambitious next phase for corporate innovation in Ireland – one focused on accelerating commercial impact, building new growth pathways and supporting ESB’s transition to a Net Zero 2040 future.
About IoT Tribe
IoT Tribe accelerates the growth and adoption of disruptive technologies globally. As a trusted partner to corporates, government agencies, investors, startups, SMEs and other ecosystem players across industry verticals worldwide, IoT Tribe brings together communities where tech talent and partnerships can thrive.
Visit iottribe.org to learn more about IoT Tribe.
About ESB
ESB was established in 1927 as a statutory body under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927. With a holding of 97.1%, ESB is majority owned by the Irish Government. The remaining 2.9% is held by the trustees of an Employee Share Ownership Plan.
As a strong, diversified utility, ESB operates across the electricity market, from generation through transmission and distribution, to supply of customers in addition to using our networks to carry fibre for telecommunications. ESB employee numbers average almost 10,000.
Visit esb.ie to learn more about ESB.
