Enterprise Ireland
Annual Report and Accounts 2005
Annual Report and Accounts 2005
Innovation in products and services is central to Ireland’s economic growth and sustained business development. This involves long-term commitment to industry-led research and development (R&D) leading to the creation of world-class products targeting international markets.
In the context of the Government’s commitment to achieve the targets of the Lisbon Agenda, Enterprise Ireland’s strategy places priority on developing a culture of innovation and global competitiveness and has set ambitious targets to increase investment in R&D. This involves working in collaboration with other agencies such as Science Foundation Ireland, IDA Ireland, Teagasc and others.
Enterprise Ireland’s input fits into three themes: In-Company R&D; Commercialisation of Research and Collaboration Projects; and International Science and Technology.
Enterprise Ireland continues its strong support of companies embarking on their own R&D with increased emphasis on building in-company research capabilities. In 2005, €45.6 million was approved to support 156 in-company R&D projects.
A new, more direct approach was adopted by Enterprise Ireland in its efforts to encourage companies to invest more in R&D. Targets were set: by 2007 increase to 596 the number of companies investing over €100,000 per annum in meaningful R&D and increase to 42 the number of companies investing over €2 million in significant R&D. To achieve these targets, Enterprise Ireland has adopted a three-point approach: a major R&D awareness campaign; direct intervention with firms; and special initiatives to increase collaboration between companies and colleges.
R&D Advocates: A key to encouraging companies, especially small companies, to start to undertake R&D or to increase their current R&D investment to over €100,000, is direct, personal contact and advice. To this end, Enterprise Ireland set up a panel of R&D Advocates, experienced individuals who have managed R&D functions in the past and can explain the potential rewards from such investment. A pilot initiative took place in Donegal and Waterford, using eight Advocates from Enterprise Ireland’s Mentor Network and the Industry, Research & Development Group (IRDG) which is an independent lobby group affiliated to IBEC. The initiative will be rolled out nationally in 2006.
R&D awareness campaign intensified: Enterprise Ireland’s campaign to spread awareness of the advantages of structured R&D programmes to companies that undertake little or no R&D continued in 2005. This included a series of briefing seminars in Monaghan, Waterford, Galway and Carlow with 54 companies participating. A total of 44 companies have begun individual R&D planning with consultants under the R&D Awareness Initiative.
TechSearch – Technology Transfer Services: The TechSearch service assists companies to acquire technologies and products from international sources through licensing and other partnerships. In 2005, 26 agreements were completed in Prepared Consumer Foods, Engineering, Environmental and IT Technologies.
Innovation Management Initiative: This initiative provides training in innovation and R&D management. Nine training programmes, ranging from introductory level to Masters level, and 11 workshops and networking evenings took place. They were attended by 534 participants from 381 companies. A customised initiative involved intensive product development work with clients in the Furniture sector, linking their R&D with international trends in new products.
Innovation Partnership Initiative: Collaboration between companies and the third-level sector is internationally recognised as a proven path to successful innovation. The Innovation Partnership Initiative offers financial support to enable companies to undertake collaborative research with universities and Institutes of Technology to develop innovative and commercially viable new products or processes. In 2005, €5.1 million in funding was provided to 79 projects across the country.
