Cavan Digital Hub Alumni
Transforming. Supporting. Connecting.
From Dedicated Desk to Global Stage:
ClubSpot Founder John Hyland
Former Cavan Digital Hub Member | Founder & CEO, ClubSpot.
Cavan Digital Hub is proud to celebrate the continued success of John Hyland, Founder and CEO of ClubSpot, as he marked one year since graduating from the Hub at the end of December.
John’s journey is a powerful example of what is possible when ambition is matched with the right environment and supports. From starting alone at a dedicated desk in Cavan Digital Hub, he has gone on to build an award-winning, internationally active SportsTech company — all while keeping strong roots in Cavan.
Starting the Journey at Cavan Digital Hub
ClubSpot was founded in early 2020 at Cavan Digital Hub, where John began as a solo founder working from a dedicated desk. Like many early-stage entrepreneurs, he took a leap — backing an idea, committing fully, and surrounding himself with a supportive ecosystem.
The Hub provided a professional base, peer network and connection point into the wider enterprise landscape, allowing John to focus on building and validating his product during the company’s formative stages.
Today, ClubSpot employs 35 staff, has raised €2 million in funding, and delivers digital solutions that are transforming how sports clubs and community organisations engage with their members, manage operations and fundraise.
Leveraging the Enterprise Support Ecosystem
Before founding ClubSpot, John was already recognised as one of Cavan’s emerging entrepreneurs. In May 2019, he won the Best Business Idea award through the Local Enterprise Office’s Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) competition and was named Cavan Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
As the business developed, ClubSpot was selected as a High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) by Enterprise Ireland, providing access to funding, mentoring, internationalisation supports and a national network of scale-up expertise. This combination of local support through Cavan Digital Hub and national backing through Enterprise Ireland helped transform a single-founder startup into a globally ambitious company.
Scaling, Recognition and Growth
Since launching from Cavan Digital Hub, ClubSpot has achieved significant national recognition. In 2025, the company was named Overall Cavan Business of the Year, while also winning the Most Innovative Business category.
That same year, ClubSpot was recognised nationally as Best Sports Business of the Year at the Irish Sport Industry Awards, hosted by the Irish Federation of Sport, reflecting the strength of its technology-led approach and its growing impact across clubs and communities.
ClubSpot was also recently featured in the Business Post’s “Hot 100 Startups”, alongside current Cavan Digital Hub member Trave, highlighting the growing pipeline of high-potential companies emerging from the Hub ecosystem.
Outgrowing the Hub — While Staying in Cavan
As the company scaled, ClubSpot outgrew Cavan Digital Hub and moved into its own premises in Stradone, Co. Cavan, retaining its local base while expanding internationally. This move reflects the Hub’s role as a launchpad — supporting businesses through early growth before they take the next step independently.
The ClubSpot team was recently visited by Minister Niamh Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, with responsibility for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation. During her visit, the Minister met with John and the team to learn how ClubSpot is driving digital transformation across clubs and communities, supporting engagement, fundraising and long-term sustainability through innovative technology.
Talent, Jobs and Regional Impact
A key element of ClubSpot’s growth has been strategic senior hiring, helping to attract experienced talent back to the region. In 2023, Barry Watters joined ClubSpot as Head of Product, bringing over a decade of experience from STATSports in Dundalk, where he held senior roles across product, sport science and innovation.
Barry’s appointment highlights how scaling companies like ClubSpot can create high-quality roles locally, enabling skilled professionals to return to Cavan, put down roots, and contribute to both company growth and the wider regional economy. Stories like this underline the socio-economic impact of successful, locally based tech companies.
Cavan-Built Innovation on the World Stage
While rooted in Cavan, ClubSpot operates on a global stage. In late 2025, John and his team worked with GAA clubs in San Francisco, delivering innovative digital fundraising initiatives, including ClubSpot’s ‘Quid Game’ events.
Earlier, John travelled to Australia as part of an Enterprise Ireland SportsTech delegation, showcasing Irish innovation in fan engagement, digital fundraising and club management to international sporting organisations.
Celebrating Alumni Success
John Hyland’s journey demonstrates how global companies can be built from Cavan, with the right mix of ambition, local infrastructure and national supports. From a dedicated desk at Cavan Digital Hub to international markets, his story is a clear example of what’s possible for founders willing to take the leap.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, it’s a clear and achievable roadmap: start where you are, access the supports available, grow strategically — and aim for global impact, from Cavan.