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Zalando, the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle, celebrates a new decade at its Dublin Tech Hub. Since opening in 2015, three years before Zalando launched in Ireland, the site has connected data science and engineering to develop scalable innovations that continuously improve the Zalando customer experience. Today, around 100 multidisciplinary experts work at the Dublin office, designing and building large-scale, AI-driven products and services that evolve the Zalando platform, inspire millions of customers and shape the entire European fashion e-commerce.
From insights centre to engineering engine room
Established as Zalando’s very first technology site outside of its Berlin headquarters, the Dublin office was strategically positioned to strengthen the company’s technological capabilities. Initially launched as a "Fashion Insights Centre" focused on big data research, the hub’s mandate has evolved significantly. Today, Dublin drives Zalando's transition toward mobile-first technologies, agile microservices, and managing products from concept to launch.
“At our core, Zalando is a technology company, and we approached e-commerce as engineers and builders from day one,” says Robert Gentz, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Zalando. “When we looked across Europe in 2015 to expand our tech capabilities, Dublin was a natural choice. The “Silicon Docks” bring together a highly skilled talent pool with a deep understanding of multi-site operations and diverse tech cultures. The city’s innovative spirit and vibrant Irish tech scene offers the perfect mix of tech creativity and entrepreneurship”.
A tech-driven growth story built on data and AI
Founded in 2008 in Berlin by Robert Gentz and David Schneider, what began as a small online shop for flip-flops, run from an apartment, has transformed into a continental powerhouse. Robert Gentz explains: “For years, we've built the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle, connecting over 60 million customers with 7,000 global and local brands. Today, this platform is our absolute superpower. For our customers, we've created apps where discovering and buying from their favourite brands feels personal, inspiring, and trustworthy. Features like Boards, personalised style inspiration you can save, curate, and share, were developed right here in Dublin, alongside innovations like the Gen AI-powered Zalando Assistant and the machine-learning-driven Trend Spotter”.
Accelerating innovation with IDA Ireland
A pivotal factor in the hub's evolution has been Zalando's close collaboration with IDA Ireland. Through dedicated R&D support, IDA Ireland has supported complex streams that allowed Zalando to innovate faster. Donal Travers, Executive Director of IDA Ireland says: ‘’Congratulations to Zalando on opening up a new decade in Ireland. This marks a new chapter in their journey of innovation and AI development to drive critical business insights, while highlighting Ireland as a location of choice for leading European technology companies. I look forward to our continued partnership and would like to wish Zalando every success in the coming years.’’
A homegrown European success story – with a call to empower, not just regulate
As Ireland prepares to take over the EU Council Presidency, Robert Gentz sees Zalando as proof that Europe can produce digital champions. “Our success rests on Europe’s diversity, quality, and innovation,” Robert Gentz says. “But we must be honest – the environment that once helped us grow is losing momentum. To keep building companies like Zalando in Europe, we need stronger incentives for founders, smarter regulation, better access to capital, and a bold industrial policy for future technologies. My hope is simple: that Europe shifts from asking “how do we regulate tech?” to “how do we help it grow?”.
About Zalando
Founded in Berlin in 2008, Zalando is the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle. Connecting 62 million active customers with more than 7,000 brands across 29 markets, our operations are built on a unique AI-powered data and infrastructure platform. For our customers, our multi-app approach - comprising Zalando, ABOUT YOU, and Lounge by Zalando - delivers an inspiring, highly personalized shopping experience, serving different customers with different needs. For our partners, we are building the operating system for e-commerce. Through ZEOS, Tradebyte, and SCAYLE, we open our logistics, software, and service capabilities to brands and retailers, enabling them to seamlessly scale their businesses across borders.
For further information, please visit: corporate.zalando.com/en
From insights centre to engineering engine room
Established as Zalando’s very first technology site outside of its Berlin headquarters, the Dublin office was strategically positioned to strengthen the company’s technological capabilities. Initially launched as a "Fashion Insights Centre" focused on big data research, the hub’s mandate has evolved significantly. Today, Dublin drives Zalando's transition toward mobile-first technologies, agile microservices, and managing products from concept to launch.
“At our core, Zalando is a technology company, and we approached e-commerce as engineers and builders from day one,” says Robert Gentz, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Zalando. “When we looked across Europe in 2015 to expand our tech capabilities, Dublin was a natural choice. The “Silicon Docks” bring together a highly skilled talent pool with a deep understanding of multi-site operations and diverse tech cultures. The city’s innovative spirit and vibrant Irish tech scene offers the perfect mix of tech creativity and entrepreneurship”.
A tech-driven growth story built on data and AI
Founded in 2008 in Berlin by Robert Gentz and David Schneider, what began as a small online shop for flip-flops, run from an apartment, has transformed into a continental powerhouse. Robert Gentz explains: “For years, we've built the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle, connecting over 60 million customers with 7,000 global and local brands. Today, this platform is our absolute superpower. For our customers, we've created apps where discovering and buying from their favourite brands feels personal, inspiring, and trustworthy. Features like Boards, personalised style inspiration you can save, curate, and share, were developed right here in Dublin, alongside innovations like the Gen AI-powered Zalando Assistant and the machine-learning-driven Trend Spotter”.
Accelerating innovation with IDA Ireland
A pivotal factor in the hub's evolution has been Zalando's close collaboration with IDA Ireland. Through dedicated R&D support, IDA Ireland has supported complex streams that allowed Zalando to innovate faster. Donal Travers, Executive Director of IDA Ireland says: ‘’Congratulations to Zalando on opening up a new decade in Ireland. This marks a new chapter in their journey of innovation and AI development to drive critical business insights, while highlighting Ireland as a location of choice for leading European technology companies. I look forward to our continued partnership and would like to wish Zalando every success in the coming years.’’
A homegrown European success story – with a call to empower, not just regulate
As Ireland prepares to take over the EU Council Presidency, Robert Gentz sees Zalando as proof that Europe can produce digital champions. “Our success rests on Europe’s diversity, quality, and innovation,” Robert Gentz says. “But we must be honest – the environment that once helped us grow is losing momentum. To keep building companies like Zalando in Europe, we need stronger incentives for founders, smarter regulation, better access to capital, and a bold industrial policy for future technologies. My hope is simple: that Europe shifts from asking “how do we regulate tech?” to “how do we help it grow?”.
About Zalando
Founded in Berlin in 2008, Zalando is the leading European technology platform for fashion and lifestyle. Connecting 62 million active customers with more than 7,000 brands across 29 markets, our operations are built on a unique AI-powered data and infrastructure platform. For our customers, our multi-app approach - comprising Zalando, ABOUT YOU, and Lounge by Zalando - delivers an inspiring, highly personalized shopping experience, serving different customers with different needs. For our partners, we are building the operating system for e-commerce. Through ZEOS, Tradebyte, and SCAYLE, we open our logistics, software, and service capabilities to brands and retailers, enabling them to seamlessly scale their businesses across borders.
For further information, please visit: corporate.zalando.com/en
