Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2004
Annual Report and Accounts 2004
Enterprise Ireland aims to bring companies, industry associations, Government bodies and academic institutions together to work on industry-led research initiatives. We have re-focused our efforts to ensure our investment in academic research is connected very strongly with the needs and activities of industry.
Three dedicated teams: Enterprise Ireland has established three dedicated teams, each led by a Programme Director, to give priority to technologies of crucial strategic importance to industry in Ireland. These are: biotechnology, informatics and industrial technologies. These teams work in partnership with all stakeholders and clients, including the research community, Science Foundation Ireland and IDA Ireland. They form a crucial link in the commercialisation chain: connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, industrialists and companies, through one-to-one consulting, showcase events, networking and knowledge transfer initiatives.
Biotechnology: Biotechnology is the application of biological research techniques for the development of products that improve human health, animal health and agriculture. The Enterprise Ireland biotechnology team, in partnership with universities and research institutes around Ireland, manages a portfolio of 80 biotechnology research projects. In 2004 the team completed five new technology licences. These licences are the means by which innovative ideas have moved from the research phase in the laboratory to commercial application by companies.
Informatics: This combines computing, software and telecommunications. In 2004, seven new licences of Enterprise Ireland funded third level applied research technologies were granted. Two new university spin-out companies from applied research projects, directly funded by Enterprise Ireland, were also established. Sixteen patent cases emanating from Irish third level research teams are now under active management. There are currently 21 Enterprise Ireland funded applied research projects on-going in the Irish third level institutes in informatics.
Industrial technologies: Industrial technologies relate to those technologies used in or supporting the manufacturing sector in a variety of industries including engineering, electronics, medical devices, food and pharmaceutical industries. In 2004, 170 Enterprise Ireland funded projects in industrial technologies progressed with Irish researchers and 20 of them are at the commercialisation stage. Out of these projects, eight new licences were agreed with industry in Ireland and two new university spin-out companies were established.
Enterprise Ireland’s aim in targeting its support for applications-driven research is to deliver maximum economic return on public investment in research to accelerate the development and commercialisation of technology in Irish companies. This involves strong collaboration between industry, the research community and the State.
Industry led research clusters: Enterprise Ireland is working with groups of indigenous and overseas firms to encourage and support the development of research agendas relevant to their medium term needs and which can form the basis for funded research projects/networks in third level institutions. Two pilot programmes are underway at the moment – one in association with the Irish Bio-Industry Association on miniaturisation technologies and another in association with the Power Electronics Industry Group focussed on integrated power solutions with better power density and efficiency. This new initiative forms the basis for a strong partnership between industry and academia focussed on meeting the research and technology needs of industry.
In 2004, Enterprise Ireland continued its Innovation Partnerships Initiative which fosters collaboration between companies and colleges on specific R&D projects. Over €2 million in funding was provided to over 50 such projects across the country.
Commercialisation of research: Enterprise Ireland offers a comprehensive combination of financial and advisory supports for academic researchers to fast-track knowledge-intensive ideas. This initiative supports researchers to bring a project from an initial concept stage to full commercialisation. In 2004, Enterprise Ireland provided €14.6 million in funding to 93 academic-led applied research projects through this activity.
Enterprise Ireland’s central intellectual property advisory resource helped third level colleges to identify and protect useful intellectual property arising from research work. In 2004, a pilot €1 million Patent Fund was launched to provide financial aid towards the cost of protecting intellectual property emerging in the higher education sector that is considered by the colleges to hold reasonable potential for commercialisation. Enterprise Ireland also engaged closely with other funding agencies on the development of a common approach to intellectual property.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland co-sponsored the formation of the Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology in conjunction with the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). The aim of the centre is to boost and direct DIT’s research activity in line with Enterprise Ireland clients and the wider industrial community.
In 2004 a pilot Applied Research Enhancement Initiative was launched to specifically encourage the research capability in the Border, Midlands and West region through Institutes of Technology. Three institutes were approved for support: Sligo, focussing on better product design for manufacturing, Letterkenny on enhancing productivity in marine industries and Galway-Mayo concerning enhanced food quality for the shellfish industry. These projects involved a total commitment of €2 million over three years.