1. education
2. school

PROGRAMMES
ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15
1
PROGRAMMES
NORTHERN IRELAND CONTINUES
TO MAKE PROGRESS...
KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY INDEX GROWTH 2009–14
TECH NATION
NORTHERN IRELAND IS WHERE DIGITAL
COMPANIES GROW.
NO.2 IN UK FOR FASTEST GROWING
COMPANIES!
NORTHERN IRELAND’S DIGITAL CLUSTER
HAS DOUBLED IN SIZE WITHIN FIVE
YEARS TO BECOME THE 6TH LARGEST IN
THE UK.
2ND FASTEST GROWING REGIONAL
KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN UK.
...AND SO DOES NISP CONNECT
NI Tech leaders at Buckingham Palace
NISP CONNECT IMPACT
NISP CONNECT BY NUMBERS
Nearly 500 early stage ventures and
“wantrepreneurs” engage in our programmes
every year. In early 2015 we surveyed 100
entrepreneurs who had participated more
deeply in INVENT / 25K / Springboard /
Co-Founders. Here’s what the entrepreneurs
said:
• 98% would recommend NISP CCONNECT
to a friend or family member
•
•
•
•
Regarding the unique value of NISP
CONNECT:
• 85% learned something new
• 89% met a valuable contact
• 12.5% found employees
• 52% met investors
• 16% met a co-founder
• 25% met customers
2
•
405 Volunteer roles
>4,000 attendees
101 events
>£30 million raised by
companies
75 Community Partnerships
What’s more, we featured in:
….and on a lighter note, we were even
retweeted by Eva Longoria
and Stephen Fry!
CHRIS HORN, CHAIR
Real progress is taking place in Northern Ireland, and while the growing success of our
entrepreneurs is evident every day, it is great to see that independent research supports
the fact that something special is happening here. The TechNation report and our own
Knowledge Economy Index both prove that all the hard work of so many people is paying
off. I can never thank our army of volunteers enough, and credit must also go to our public
officials for implementing bold and successful innovation policies.
I would like to record my personal thanks to DETI Minister Foster and her officials for
their support in seed funding NISP CONNECT, which concluded in March 2015. Let
me also extend my gratitude to the Chairman and Board of Northern Ireland Science
Park Foundation for not only continuing to underwrite NISP CONNECT, but for providing
expansion resources to take things to another level.
Lastly, I would like to acknowledge all of the member companies who support NISP
CONNECT with their time and resources. Thanks to you, we now have momentum.
STEVE ORR, DIRECTOR
Two things happened this year which further fuel my belief that Northern Ireland’s
entrepreneurs are on an unstoppable path of progress.
First, in the 12 months to March 2015, more than 32 Northern Ireland companies set out
to raise over £1M each in funding. Twenty-two of these companies have closed on their
investment (two companies took less than £1M) and four others have term sheets offering
investment. This is dramatically different to how things were even two years ago, when the
vast majority of entrepreneurs were at the pre-seed and seed stages of investment.
Second, in December 2014, NISP CONNECT, in collaboration with Belfast City Council and
Invest NI, took 16 tech companies to California on the NI Tech Mission. After an exhausting
week of pitch forums and customer pitches, one thing was clear: our companies were
“Valley Standard” and well able to hold their own with many of the really great companies on
the Californian circuit.
Massive challenges lie ahead as we embark on the next phase of NISP CONNECT. We need
to engage the unengaged, to catalyse a real eco-system and double the dealflow.
Please join us. We need your help.
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“OUR VISION IS TO
TRANSFORM
NORTHERN IRELAND
INTO ONE OF THE MOST
ENTREPRENEURIAL
KNOWLEDGE
ECONOMIES IN
EUROPE BY 2030.”
WHAT WE
STAND FOR
CRITICAL
SUCCESS
FACTORS
Our vision is to transform Northern Ireland into one of the most
entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030.
Our core purpose is to mobilise expert business community volunteers
to help Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurs to create and scale fast-growth
innovation companies.
In April 2014 we set just one critical success factor for the twelve months
to March 2015. This was:
If NISP CONNECT is successful, we will have helped to develop a culture
of collaboration in Northern Ireland: this is what an innovation ecosystem is really about.
“To design and execute the funding model that ensures the
independence, effectiveness and sustainability of NISP CONNECT, while
ensuring the diversity of competence in its direction.”
We are pleased to report that this critical success factor was achieved.
4
THE TEAM
STEVE ORR
DIRECTOR
ELAINE SMYTH
HEAD OF PROGRAMMES
JOHN KNAPTON
SPRINGBOARD DIRECTOR
CLAIRE BURGOYNE
GENERATION INNOVATION
FRAMEWORKS
NI KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY
TRUDY PARRY
SPECIAL EVENTS &
PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR
PETER EDGAR
INVENT
CO-FOUNDERS WANTED
INNOVATION FOUNDER
US NI MENTORSHIP
PROGRAMME
HOLLY MILLAR
SPRINGBOARD CO-ORDINATOR
NATASHA DEENEY
DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA
COMMUNICATIONS
CO-ORDINATOR
LEADERSHIP BOARD
NORMAN APSLEY
NISP
CHRIS GUY
MILLS SELIG
ALEC MCRITCHIE
BOMBARDIER
PAUL BEANEY
ULSTER UNIVERSTIY
NIALL HARKIN
DANSKE BANK
JULIE-ANN O’HARE
BANK OF IRELAND
TIM BRUNDLE
ULSTER UNIVERSITY
CHRIS HORN
CHAIR
MICHAEL ROBINSON
AFBI
GAVIN CAMPBELL
BOMBARDIER
PHILIP MAGUIRE
NISP
ALAN TAYLOR
ARTHUR COX
HUGH CORMICAN
CIRDAN IMAGING
BRIAN MCCAUL
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
ALAN WATTS
HALO
PETER FITZGERALD
RANDOX LABORATORIES
DAVID MCHUGH
SEAGATE
TONY GALLAGHER
QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
HUGH MCKENNA
ULSTER UNIVERSITY
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MEMBERSHIP THANK YOU
BENEFACTOR
We are pleased to welcome one of NI’s leading medical science companies, TG Eakin, as
our first Benefactor Member.
Visit nispconnect.org/membership if you would like to find out how you could make a
contribution to the development of young entrepreneurs and the economy of Northern
Ireland.
PLATINUM £10K
Colour Logo for use on darkbackground
PLATINUM
Official Sponsor
Colour Logo for use on white background
Mono Logo for use on darkbackground
Mono Logo for use on white background
GOLD £5K
SILVER £2K
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PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD
41
GRADUATED
TO DATE
11
GRADUATED
THIS YEAR
SUMMARY
Springboard is a free programme which provides tough love for high
growth potential innovations. It operates through an in-business,
peer-to-peer coaching process that is specifically tailored to individual
participants. Each company interfaces with an average of 25 experts,
via organised panel sessions. This process helps to drive thinking and
challenge supposition and results in a compelling commercialisation
strategy and significantly reduced go-to-market risk.
programme. Now expanded in its scope, the programme succinctly
addresses each of the key elements integral to a successful business
strategy: market; product; team; governance; commercialisation,
financing.
Eleven companies graduated Springboard this year, and between them,
the forty one graduates to date have accumulated an impressive set of
statistics:
• >£19Million invested
• 170 direct, new jobs created
• 650 jobs supported by alumni companies
Springboard is NISP CONNECT’s flagship programme and it continues
to grow in its depth of delivery for Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurs.
Springboard’s pool of Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs) - those who
have ‘been there and done that’ - has increased significantly to 52
persons, with an additional 187 domain experts and 116 panellists. This
means that the programme is now able to leverage Northern Ireland’s
most experienced business mentors, to support Northern Ireland’s most
promising. The results are impressive. 95% of Springboard alumni
companies remain in business, with close to 75% receiving investment
to fund substantial growth. Springboard alumni are 6.5 times more likely
to succeed, making them much more investor-ready.
The number of applications has also significantly increased year-onyear, making 2016 a very exciting prospect for Northern Ireland’s
entrepreneurs, and for the economy.
During the coming year (2016), John Knapton, Springboard Director, will
continue to build and leverage SB PLUS, CONNECT’s global network of
experts. SB PLUS will use proven networks, managed through bestpractice CONNECT organisations. In the initial phase, these networks
will be based in Belfast, San Diego, Gothenberg, Singapore, Copenhagen
and Bogota. The addition of these resources on the ground will help the
project to significantly increase growth through export.
Holly Millar joined the CONNECT team in January 2015 as Springboard
Administrator. Holly’s arrival brings a much-needed extra resource to
help manage and schedule more participants through the Springboard
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PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD
£19M
170
650
DELIVERABLES KPIs (2014/15)
INVESTED
“Springboard introduced me to a pool of EiRs and Domain Experts - their
time and commitment was invaluable. The programme focused on
the product, the market, finances and the governance of the business,
and as a result, our business now has a very clear direction. In short,
Springboard has given me the confidence to take the company to the
next level.”
DIRECT, NEW JOBS CREATED
CHRISTINE BOYLE, SENERGY
JOBS SUPPORTED BY ALUMNI COMPANIES
USPs
Here is what Springboard offers successful participants:
• 6.5X reduction in go-to-market risk
• leverage international networks to assist in export activities
• content tailored to address identified business gaps
• leverage a large team of “critical friends” to challenge and help
build a sound business model
• delivers real investor readiness
• short, sharp programme lasting 16 weeks, allows entrepreneurs to
continue running their businesses
• introduction to appropriate capital investment opportunities
“Springboard’s bespoke programme was absolutely invaluable to
Axial3D’s development as a company, and to me as its founder. From
start to finish, the programme was tailored perfectly to our company’s
needs. The advice given through the panel presentations and corporate
scrubs transformed the company from an innovative idea to a viable
business with direction and purpose.”
STEERING TEAM
DANIEL CRAWFORD, AXIAL 3D
Alan Watts (Chair)
Jennifer Ferguson (Arthur Cox)
Hal Wilson (techstartNI)
Caroline McGoran (UU)
Brian McCaul (QUB)
Alan Gourley (PwC)
Ian Beatty (Danske Bank)
Kerry McCorkell (Tughans)
Chris Guy (Mills Selig)
Des Speed (EiR)
Andrew Walmsley (EiR)
Tom Griffiths (EiR)
Dawn McKnight (Carson McDowell)
“Springboard was a transformational experience for CADshare, and
for me personally. I entered the process with a concept I thought had
potential, and emerged at the other end with a solid foundation for the
business and a well-articulated, credible investment proposition. Our
EiRs provided world-class guidance and support, and access to the NISP
global network of contacts will continue to prove invaluable. Springboard
gave us the confidence to know that we really are ‘investor ready’”
CHRIS ACHESON, CADSHARE
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PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD
SPRINGBOARD EiRs
SOME OF OUR RECENT ALUMNI
“Through the Springboard programme, we benefited from extremely
high quality mentoring from Virgin StartUp mentor, Darren Craig. Darren
donated time each week to help us resolve the various problems we were
facing – from business model generation, to producing a sales strategy
and preparing for investment. I can’t stress enough how valuable it was to
have such a successful and passionate entrepreneur – someone who has
been there and done it himself - giving us regular, hands-on mentoring
and help.”
“Graduating from Springboard was a significant milestone for our
business. Our EiR supported us with first-class mentorship and gave us a
fresh, objective view of our business. By drawing on our EiR’s 30+ years
of business experience, and taking guidance from NISP CONNECT, we
were able to recruit industry peers, including business directors from
sports industry and commercial backgrounds.”
DANNY TURLEY, PERFORMA SPORT
KYLE GAWLEY , GET INVITED
10
PROGRAMMES CO-FOUNDERS WANTED
ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGY
STEERING TEAM
Since 2013, Co-Founders Wanted! has enabled 48 founders of early
stage startups to pitch to experienced commercial co-founders. The
events aim to help founders connect with the talent they need to grow
their ventures from ideas, into fully functioning businesses. Brian Baird (Chair) EiR NISP CONNECT
Stephen O’Kane, PWC
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig
Karla Dooey, Arthur Cox
Vincent Farrelly, QUB
John Macrae, Ulster University
Michael Robinson, AFBI
Jason Johnston, Carson McDowell
Gabrielle McArdle, Bank of Ireland
Technologies pitched in 2014/2015 included; healthcare data analytics,
Fintech software, state-of-the-art simulation engines and wearable
neuro-technology, microbial liquids which remediate oil, and innovative
solar roofing.
11
PROGRAMMES INVENT
£33K
OVERALL WINNER
PRIZE FUND
MAIN SPONSOR
92
ENTRANTS
SUMMARY
200
600
INVENT 2015
INVENT is a competition for Northern Ireland inventors, scientists,
entrepreneurs and students with breakthrough inventions or concepts.
Its aim is to find new inventions which offer the greatest commercial
potential. INVENT evolved from the prestigious 25k Awards and was
launched in 2014 in partnership with Bank of Ireland. Entrants competed
for their share of the £33k prize fund, and for six tickets for the NI Tech
Mission to California.
INVENT differs from the 25k Awards in terms of its category types, prize
package and entrance criteria. It comprises six categories, as well as a
student section, and this year it attracted a total of 92 entrants, and was
managed by 55 mentors and judges via a series of judging panels.
AUDIENCE AT QUICKPITCH
An audience of over 200 attended the lively second round Quick Pitch
event at W5. 24 teams each made a three-minute pitch to the judging
panel, from which the Top 12 Finalists were selected.
GUESTS AT INVENT AWARDS AT TITANIC BELFAST
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PROGRAMMES INVENT
SPONSORS:
Bank of Ireland
Intel
IBM
Actavis
Seagate
Dow AgriSciences
Bombardier
Randox (Afterparty)
Tughans (Mentor Day)
Ulster University (Student Comp)
PARTNERS
Ulster Student’s Union
QUB Enterprise Students Union
QUB
HSC Innovations
Ulster University
NIFDA - Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association
Institution of Engineering and Technology
ADS Group
BioBusiness
Digital Circle
Momentum NI
QuickPitch
STEERING TEAM
Ronan Cunningham, NISP CONNECT EIR, Banbatech, Chair
Andrew Jennings, Arthur Cox
Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell
Adrian O’Connell, Tughans
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig
Mark Skrillen, Atlas Communications
Neil Buchanan, Flish and ECIT
Niamh Griffin, Bank of Ireland
Jennifer Cook, Ulster University
Paul Donachy, QUB
David Brownlee, HSC
Michael Robinson, AFBI
Overall winners Plotbox
CREATIVE MEDIA AND
CONSUMER INTERNET
AGRI-FOOD
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
WINNER: Inlifesize, Founder: Greg Maguire
Led by visual effects industry veteran, Greg Maguire (Avatar, Harry
Potter) and video game creative director Phil Campbell (Tomb Raider,
James Bond), Inlifesize is bringing world-class experience in 3D
productions to the very edge of what is currently possible.
WINNER: Microbial Nematicides, Founder: Johnathan Dalzell
Microbial Nematicides has developed a new family of safe and
effective pesticides to control plant parasitic nematodes. They have
also developed two completely new systems for the cheap and rapid
synthesis of these pesticides in the field, using various microorganisms
which live in the soil.
Write-to-Read, Founder: Gareth Reid
Gareth has designed a new font that promises to transform the reading
experience for those with dyslexia. His mobile application photographs
text, then displays it on screen in a bespoke font that significantly
improves comprehension and retention levels for dyslexic readers. True Food, Founder: Tassos Koidis
TrueFood is building a cloud-based catalogue of all the world’s food and
drink types, based on their specific molecular signatures. This database
will offer rich insights into the true nature of the products we consume,
and how they compare with each other.
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PROGRAMMES INVENT
LIFE AND HEALTH
ENGINEERING
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
WINNER: Vaccine Tabs, Founder: Vicky Kett
The Vaccine Tabs team, from the School of Pharmacy, Queen’s
University Belfast, has developed a low cost vaccine delivery system
that is needle and pain-free, and is more stable and more effective than
traditional vaccine jabs.
WINNER: Green Sword, Founder: David Moorhead
Green Sword has created a cleaning product that uses natural
microorganisms to break down the tough hydrocarbon bonds that
constitute oil and its products.
Cool Safe 360, Founder: Jerry Kochanski
Cool Safe 360 looks like a classic pear-shaped lightbulb, runs at a
modest 30 watts and provides illumination by a group of LEDs. This
offers not only an energy saving but is also cool to touch, avoiding
potential burns and fires. The danger of electrocution is also removed, as
LEDs only require 12 volts.
WiFiEar, Founders: Roger Woods, Brian Douglas and Bosheng Zhou
WiFiEar wants to improve the lives of people suffering hearing loss. Their
improved hearing-assisted product will use technology based on WiFi to bring
hearing assistance to the user’s phone, and then to their hearing aid.
ENTERPRISE
SOFTWARE
ELECTRONICS
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
WINNER: See.Sense, Founders: Philip and Irene McAleese
The See.Sense power meter measure a rider’s power output. It achieves a
level of accuracy comparable to those used by elite professional cyclists, but
with a device costing a fraction of the price. WINNER: Plotbox, Founders: Sean and Leona McAlister
Plotbox provides software-as-a-service to make life easier for the death
industry. All the disparate data points in the process of managing a
business such as a cemetery can be connected in one place, and
accessed through an intuitive interface.
Photonic Measurements, Founders: Vincent McCorry and Connor Douglas
The Photonic Measurements team aims to give the world an affordable,
portable, and fast water-quality analyser, which does not require expensive
consumables, or highly skilled staff.
Sixty-5, Founder: John Arrell
Sixty-5 is developing a range of mobile apps and hardware that will make
precision agriculture accessible to the many farmers who cannot afford
current solutions. A primary area of focus for Sixty-5 is the use of GPS in
working fields more accurately.
INVENT Awards Dinner at Titanic Belfast.
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PROGRAMMES INVENT
INNOVATION
FOUNDER
OF THE YEAR
INNOVATION FOUNDER AWARD
Each year, NISP CONNECT asks members of the community to nominate
individuals they think should receive the ‘Innovation Founder of the Year
Award’. This Award recognises tech founders who have (i) achieved
distinction in founding, leading or building a Northern Irish life sciences
or technology-based business, and (ii) contributed to the economy and
quality of life of our region.
This year’s award was presented to Dr William Wright CBE, co-founder
of The Wright Group, a leading manufacturer of passenger transport
vehicles. As a fully integrated global bus brand, The Wright Group
employs 2000 people and has nearly 70 years’ experience in innovative
design and technological excellence.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
DR PETER FITZGERALD
2013
TOM EAKIN
2012
DR HUGH CORMICAN
2011
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PROF JOHN ANDERSON
2010
PROGRAMMES
KNOWLEDGE
ECONOMY
INDEX
MAIN SPONSOR:
STEERING TEAM
The Northern Ireland Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) Report is an
annual publication produced by NISP CONNECT, in conjunction with
the Economic Policy Centre at Ulster University and Oxford Economics.
The research tracks the health of the innovation economy by assessing
data year-on-year, comparing our performance with other regions and
monitoring the availability of capital.
Scott Rutherford, Queen’s University Belfast (Chair)
Alan Bissett, Arthur Cox
Alan Bridle, Bank of Ireland UK
Tim Brundle, Ulster University
Donal Durkan, Invest NI
Michael McCormack, BT
The most recent report showed that Northern Ireland has the second
fastest growing knowledge economy in the UK – the fastest was the
North East of England. There were other very positive signs – over the
past year Northern Ireland saw 295 new innovation startups and there
are now more than 35,000 Knowledge Economy jobs in Northern
Ireland. At the same time, Knowledge Economy average wage premium
in NI has declined since 2010 and the number of Knowledge Economy
businesses in NI is not growing fast enough. As a result, an ‘Innovation
into Action’ business group has now been convened by NISP CONNECT,
with the aim of advising the government on these and other issues.
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PROGRAMMES
GENERATION
INNOVATION
Generation Innovation is NISP CONNECT’s network for Northern
Ireland’s most ambitious, innovative, creative and entrepreneurial
teenagers. Set up in 2011, the programme offers the 200 nominated
16 – 17 year olds ‘most likely to succeed in the new economy’ the
opportunity to collaborate with some of our coolest tech founders and
innovators.
BBC Click presenter Kate Russell and Michael Sayman, a 17 year old
US developer, who is the creator of the best-selling 4Snaps App and
a Facebook employee. 350 attendees took part in the event at An
Culturlann in Derry on Wednesday September 17 2014 – a massive
achievement by the CREATE team.
STEERING TEAM
The annual Night of Ambition is the launchpad for Generation Innovation
activities. This year’s event took place at St George’s Market in Belfast.
200 teenagers from 84 schools, colleges and key partner organisations
(Young Enterprise NI, Sentinus, BT Young Scientist, etc) took part, and
49 founders and innovators joined the young people for an actionpacked evening.
Chair - Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox
Bill Connor, Sentinus
Liguori Dobbin, Bank of Ireland
Carol Fitzsimons, YENI
Tony Gallagher, QUB
Micheal Ievers, Stranmillis University College
Rachel McAllister, Carson McDowell
John McGuckian, Tughans
Joanne Stuart, NISP
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig
Our Generation Innovation Alumni form an integral part of the
NISP CONNECT community and they have often told us that they
want to run more things themselves. So, over the summer, six of
them won internships in a new collaboration with CultureTECH in
Derry~Londonderry, with support from the newly opened North West
Regional Science Park.
The six teenagers - Sarah McBride, Matthew Carson, Jordan Earle,
Kennedy Keeney-Robinson, Josh Kempton and Gareth Reid – were
tasked with developing an event for CultureTECH week (September
2014). The result was an all-day event called CREATE:2014. Not only
did the teenagers come up with the concept, they also raised more
than £5000 in a Kickstarter campaign and secured speakers, including
circletwitterbird GenInnovators | circlefacebook GenInnovation | generationinnovation.co
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PROGRAMMES
FRAMEWORKS
STEERING TEAM
The NISP CONNECT Frameworks workshop series was as popular as
ever. The programme provides free morning or lunchtime seminars
for entrepreneurs and ‘wantrepreneurs’ to learn business practice and
to hear ‘war stories’ from veterans. This year we took Frameworks on
the road with workshops at CIDO in Craigavon, at the new North West
Regional Science Park in Derry~Londonderry, the Derry Playhouse
and at Queen’s University Belfast. We also collaborated with a number
of other organisations, including the IoD, BioBusiness, Women in
Business and CultureTECH. A total of 419 attendees were engaged at 18
Frameworks Events, supported by 69 presenters and panellists.
Henry Cleary (Bank of Ireland)
David Croft (Danske Bank)
Chris Guy (Mills Selig)
Lynsey Mallon (Arthur Cox)
David Moore (QUBIS)
Dawn McKnight (Carson McDowell)
Adrian O’Connell (Tughans)
Paul Beaney (Ulster University)
ENTERPRISE FORUM
ENTERPRISE FORUM EVENTS
NISP CONNECT’s Enterprise Forum gives entrepreneurs access to
world class market intelligence, in a relaxed and inspiring setting. Using
forums and case study presentations featuring Northern Ireland’s
most exciting, emerging growth technology companies, it educates
entrepreneurs about the challenging business issues facing start-ups. It
also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with science and
technology sector leaders from across all industries, as well as capital
and service providers.
Fujitsu Workshop
Roundtable with TSB
The Internet of Things
SelectUSA
PCH/Highway 1
Inventors Showcase at the BBC
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PROGRAMMES
FRAMEWORKS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014/15
TOPIC
MAIN SPEAKER
PANELLISTS
ATTENDED
RATING
Startup Fundamentals
Eoin Lambkin, Groupe-Intellex
Ian Scott, Taggled
Julie-Ann O’Hare, BOI
32
4.6
Digital Marketing for Startups
Michael White, Motarme
Serena McCrossan, Learning Pool
Emma Whiteside, Learning Pool
23
4.6
Angel Investment Lessons
from Ohio
John Huston, Ohio TechAngel
Funds
Des Speed, PathXL
Stephen Houston, NISP EiR
35
4.7
R&D Tax Credits
Sonia Cheetham, PwC
Mari McLarnon, PwC
Carolynn Rooney, Biznet Solutions
Mark Peoples, Almac
11
4.5
Licensing
Rory Campbell, Forde Campbell
Matthew Forde, Forde Campbell LLC
Andrew Gough, GCD Technologies
23
4.6
Life and Health Sciences: A
Rough Guide to Regulation
Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness
Rhona McAteer, International
QMS Expert
Aidan Langan, Enterprise Equity
Gary Johnston, BioKinetic Europe
17
4.6
Digital Marketing for Startups
Michael White, Motarme
Jill Robb, Ambition Digital
36
4.7
Exits (IPOs)
Chris Guy, Mills Selig
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig
Mark Fahy, AIM
David O’Brien, Shore Capital
Hugh Cormican, Cirdan
22
4.6
Startup Fundamentals @
CultureTECH
Eoin Lambkin, Groupe-Intellex
Joan Condell, HidInImage
Wilbur McDonald, NIVHA Drug and Alcohol
Testing Solutions
Gerry McNicholl, BOI
27
4.7
Better Directors, Better
Boards Bootcamp
Eileen Mullan, Strictly Boardroom
Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox
Michelle Hatfield, George Best Belfast City Airport
Mary McCall, TreatTicket
Sharon O’Connor, Derry CC
Mark Hutchinson, Hutchinson Engineering
37
n/a
Finance for Startups...and
Beyond
John Knapton, NISP CONNECT
Mary McKenna, Tech Entrepreneur & investor
Angela Reavey, Capaxo
Kathleen Garrett, Pentech Ventures LLP
24
4.7
Crowdfunding for Startups
Frank Webster, Seedrs
Philip McAleese, See.Sense
Sebastian Heinz, Mindflood Ltd
Alan Watts, Halo
Marcin Zaba, SyndicateRoom
25
4.5
VC Process for GEW
Mark Stockdale, A&L Goodbody
Jonny Madill, A&L Goodbody
Michael Black, Intel
Ian Scott, Taggled
Allen Martin, Kernel Capital
15
4.6
Art of the Term Sheet
Dawn McKnight
Hal Wilson, Pentech Ventures LLP
Jeff Wylie, KANA
21
4.7
Better Directors, Better
Boards Bootcamp
Eileen Mullan, Strictly Boardroom
Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox
Ann-Marie Slavin, Smyson Solutions
Roy Devine, CODA
19
4.8
Collaborations: A Guide for
Startups
Adrian O’Connell
David Trainor, Sentireal
Simon Grattan, Sengenia
13
4.5
CSIT Cyber Security Summit
Workshop 1: Debating the
need for a Pre-Accelerator
Steve Orr, NISP CONNECT
Stephen Wray, ECIT Institute at
QUB
Alex van Someren, Amadeus Capital
Gibb Withim, Paladin Capital
Sandy McKinnon, Pentech Ventures LLP
Jon Bradford, TechStars
Paul Smith, CyLon
Zach Tudor, SRI International
Stuart Laidlaw, Cyberlytic
20
n/a
CSIT Cyber Security Summit
Workshop 2: Cyber Security’s
biggest opportunities - A Lively Debate for Entrepreneurs
Zach Tudor, SRI International
Alex van Someren, Amadeus Capital
Sandy McKinnon, Pentech Ventures LLP
Amit Mital, Symantec
Suren Gupta, Allstate
19
n/a
19
OTHER ACTIVITIES
NI TECH
MISSION
Plotbox
InLifeSize
QuizFortune
Analytics Engines
Green Sword
See.Sense
TitanIC
Vaccine Tabs
Get Invited
Performa Sports
Anaeko
Skunkworks Surfboard Company
Venuebooker
Speechstorm
Displaynote
ECIT Institute
The aim of NI Tech Mission is to showcase the new
technologies and products currently being developed
by NI-based companies and to promote the region
as one of the leading digitally connected locations
in Europe and a prime location for international
investment.
In late autumn 2014, NISP CONNECT, Invest
Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council jointly
organised a Northern Ireland Tech Mission to San
Francisco and San Diego. Over the course of six
days, from Sunday 30th November to Friday 5th
December 2014, 16 local companies working
in technology and digital-led industries has the
opportunity to showcase and network with leading
US Tech executives, investors and venture capitalists
from the West Coast of America. All of the participating NI companies offer globallyfocused products or services and are considering
expansion or increasing sales and investment
opportunities on the West Coast of America.
TECHWATCH
TechWatch, NISP CONNECT’s monthly online blog, is fast gaining
recognition as the go-to spot for all the lowdown on Northern Ireland’s
hottest ventures and the people behind their development. During the
year, TechWatch has profiled the following companies: Jake Burns – Stiff
Little Fingers, NI Music Industry and Technology, Inflyte App, Sensum,
One Square, Dork Wearables, NI’ s Indie Gaming Scene, Displaynote /
Swoodle, SkunkWorks, QuizFortune,Green Sword, NI Tech Mission to
California, SendMyBag, Get Invited, Rumble Labs, Brewbot, Datactics,
Core Systems, Solaform, Jar Technologies, Create 2014, TrueFood,
CoolSafe360, Photonic Measurements, WiFiEar, InLifeSize, See.Sense,
Plotbox, Learning Pool, Peforma Sports, Write to Read, Vaccine Tabs,
Beacon, Phlok, Briefed, GetTogether, Ink Intelligent, and Anaeko. As of March 2015, TechWatch will focus on a monthly sector theme
profiling one corporate, one startup and one research rockstar.
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THE
DIRECTORY
21
THE DIRECTORY
A HUGE
THANK YOU
TO...
SPRINGBOARD
DOMAIN EXPERTS
ENTREPRENEURS-IN-RESIDENCE (EIRS)
Richie Anderson
Jamie Andrews, Rainstor, Pentech Ventures LLP
Jom Bastow
Andrew Baxter, Xenosense
Ian Beatty, Danske Bank
Richard Bell
Paul Brewster, Pure Marine Gen
Paul Clancy, Halo
Henry Cleary, Bank of Ireland
Rose Crozier
Noel Culbert, PwC
Brian Cummings, Clarendon Fund Managers
Darryl Cummins, Ulster University
Sara Dalzell, Komodo
Iain Darby
Sheila Davidson, Emeritus Communications
Andrew Dennis, Andor
Sinead Devlin, Proano Ltd
Karla Doey, Arthur Cox
Vicky Dummigan, Tughans
Paddy Dunlop, Ulster University
Stephen Ellis, AEJ Business Solutions
Alistair Fee, Acorn International
Richard Furey, Yelo
Godfrey Gaston, TitanIC
Kyle Gawley, Get Invited
Philip Gilliland, Caldwell Robinson
Colette Goldrick, ABPI
Alan Gourley, PwC
Niamh Griffin, Bank of Ireland
Gareth Hawthorn
Colm Hayden, Anaeko
David Hill, Hill Business Growth Consultants
Laura Houston, Analytics Engines
Ian Jeffers, The Prince’s Trust
Bryan Keating, Matrix
Judith Kee, Andor
Alastair Keith, A&L Goodbody
Peter Kelly, PwC
Scott King, NIACE
Paul Larmor, Ulster Weavers
Oliver Lennon, Speech Storm
Brian Baird, Replify Ltd
Jeremy Biggerstaff, Flint Studios
Michael Black, Intel
Geoff Clarke, Treze Technology Ltd
Colin Coffey, Digital Venture Group
Brendan Colgan, B.C. Consulting
Darren Craig, IBM Security FSS
Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech
Les Curran, Export Technologies
JG Doherty, Analytics Engines
Bruce Douglas, Aveva
Gareth Dunlop, Fathom
Richard Furey, Yelo
Tom Griffiths, Entrepreneur, Ideas Originator, Motivational speaker, Social Innovator
Rob Grundy, Anglezarke Lifesciences Ltd
Stuart Harvey, Datactics
Stephen Houston, Sophia
Michael Keltai, VP Partner Business & Consultant to Board
Eoin Lambkin, Group-Intellex
Jude Lynch, Performa Sports
Neil MacDonald, Entrepreneur & Environmental Services Specialist
Peter Massey, Budd
Bill McCluggage, Laganview Associates Ltd
Mary McKenna, Tech Entrepreneur & Investor
Richard McMullan, Sliderobes
Liam McQuillan, NISP Entrepreneur in Residence
Karl Mulligan, NISP Entrepreneur in Residence
Denis Murphy, Anaeko
Christine Naylor, Rockport Ventures
Andrew Owen, Business Development & Marketing Professional
Clare Passmore, Clear Spirit Design
Richard Plunkett, Leckey Designs
Paul Rothwell, Kiverco Ltd.
Stephen Seawright, WiSAR
Jim Shields, Openarc
Ann-MarieSlavin, Smyson Solutions
Des Speed, Path XL
Sinclair Stockman, NISP Entrepreneur in Residence
Julie Taylor, Intergrity NI
Andrew Walmsley, Non exec Director- Business Mentor- Angel Investor
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THE DIRECTORY
FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOP
Edel Madden, Xsell Team
Philip Maguire, NISP
Sean McCann, Carson McDowell Solicitors
Brian McCaul, Queen’s University Belfast
Gary McCausland
Kerry McCorkell, Tughans
Denis McCotter, WH Stephens
Naomh McElhatton, RUA Digital
Grainne McGarvey, Pulse PR
Claire McGonigle, PwC
Brendan McGoran, Belfast City Council
Caroline McGoran, Ulster University
John McGuckian, Tughans
Fergus McIlduff, Automated Intelligence
Noel McKenna, Sensurity
Sandy McKinnon, TechStartNI
Daniel McRitchie, Scileads
Paul Moffett, Sensurity
Maureen Murphy, Aurion
Nuala Murphy, Adoreboard
Paul O’Brien
Stephen O’Kane, PwC
Domhnail O’Neill, Glastonbury Associates
Anne Orr, Management Consultant
Brian Reid, Kainos
Gary Robb, Entrepreneur in Residence
Carolynn Rooney, NISP
Natasha Sayee, Randox
Ash Songra, 352 Medical
Sue Spencer, Encompass Marketing
Mark Thompson, A&L Goodbody
Ivan Waide, A&L Goodbody
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig
Alan Watts, Halo
Hal Wilson, TechStartNI
Shannon Wolf-Montague
Suzanne Woodside, MadebyMint
Stephen Simpson, Bank of Ireland
John Miller, Invest NI
Allen Martin, Kernel Capital
MENTOR WORKSHOP
Vicky Dummigan, Tughans
Kerry McCorkell, Tughans
Geoff Clarke, NISP CONNECT EiR
Bruce Douglas, NISP CONNECT EiR
Andrew Walmsley, NISP CONNECT EiR
Jude Lynch, NISP CONNECT EiR
Liam McQuillan, NISP CONNECT EiR
Brian Cummings, Enterprise Equity
Jayne Brady, Kernel Capital
JG Doherty, NISP CONNECT EiR
Bob Magowan Smyth, Crescent Capital
Sandy McKinnon, Techstart NI
Eoin Lambkin, NISP CONNECT EiR
Tristan Brittain Dissont
Michael Hilland
Colin Crangle, Bank of Ireland
Robbie Milliken, Bank of Ireland
INNOVATION FOUNDER PANEL
Tom Eakin, TG Eakin Ltd
Hugh Cormican, Cirdan Imaging
Julie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland
Peter FitzGerald, Randox
FINAL ROUND JUDGING
Rob Hardeman, Seagate
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig
Paul Moorhead, Intel
Alex van Someren, Amadeus Capital Partners William Corrigan, Dow
Julie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland UK
Jim McIlroy, Actavis
INVENT
1ST ROUND JUDGES
Jayne Brady, IET and Kernel Capital
Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness
Clare Passmore, NISP CONNECT EiR
Noel McKenna, Sensurity
Tom Walls, Laser Prototypes Europe
Matt Johnston, Digital Circle
Ann-Marie Slavin, NISP CONNECT EiR
Michael Noble, Momentum NI
Colin Coffey, NISP CONNECT EiR
Michael Bell, NIFDA
Ryan Adams, Digital Circle and Learning Pool
Richard Furey, IET and Yelo
INVENT STUDENT JUDGES
Ann-Marie Slavin, NISP CONNECT EiR
Ian Stone, Bank of Ireland
Kate Russell, BBC Click
PARTNERS
Michael Bell, NIFDA
Leslie Orr, ADS Group
Jayne Brady, IET
Lynner Weir, QUB Enterprise SU
Jemma Dolan, University of Ulster SU
Nuala Kilmartin, Belfast Met
Michael Noble, Momentum NI
Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness
QUICK PITCH TRAINING
Kyle Gawley, Get Invited
Tim Brundle, University of Ulster
QUICK PITCH JUDGES
GENERATION INNOVATION
Tom Eakin, TG Eakin Ltd
Hugh Cormican, Cirdan Imaging Ltd
Andy Hopper, University of Cambridge
Clive Black, Shore Capital
Alan Watts, Halo
Julie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland
Siggi Saevarsson, Intel
TECH FOUNDERS 2015
JP Harkin, Head of Development, 8over8
Gerry McGurgan, Founder, 8over8
Chris Johnston, Founder & CEO, Adoreboard
Martin Neill, CEO, Airpos
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THE DIRECTORY
Denis Murphy, CEO, Anaeko
Robert Grundy, Founder, Anglezarke Life Sciences Ltd
John Flynn, Head of Business Services, Asidua
Chris Acheson, Founder & CEO, CADshare
Patricia O’Hagan, MD, Core Systems
Mark Nagurski, CEO, CultureTECH
Lesley Brown, Director, Dot Retailer
Neil Buchanan, CTO, FLISH
Tom Griffiths, Founder, gapyear.com
Kyle Gawley, CEO, Get Invited
Conor Moran, CEO, GoReport
David Moorhead, MD, Green Sword
Eoin Lambkin, Owner, Groupe-Intellex
Mark Hutchinson, MD, Hutchinson Engineering
David McGrath, MD, JAM Media
Noel McQuaid, Technical Director, James Leckey Design
Jeff Wylie CFO, Kana
Sheena Lewis, CEO, Lewis Fertility Testing
Tim Potter, Co-Founder, Little Thunder Co.
Stevie Morrow, Director, Loughshore Investments
Connor Douglas, Co-Founder, Photonic Measurements
Vincent McCorry, Co-Founder, Photonic Measurements
Leona McAllister, Co-Founder, PlotBox
Lorraine Martin, CEO, ProAx-SiS
Paul Brewster, CTO, Pure Marine Gen
Stephen Houston, Executive Chairman, QuizFortune
John ReidCEO, RepKnight
Simon Hamilton, Founder & CEO, Rumble Labs
Philip McAleese, CEO, See.Sense
James McLaughlin, CEO, SiSaf
Colin Williams, Creative Director, Sixteen South
Chris Martin, Founder, Skunkworks Surf Co.
David Patterson, CEO, Sophia
Ruth Morrow, Director and Co-Founder, Tactility Factory
Ian Scott, Founder, Taggled
Malcolm Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, Total Mobile
Mary McCall, Founder & Managing Director, Treat Ticket
Janet Coulter, Senior Lecturer, Ulster University
Vicky KettFounder, Vaccine Tab
Taidgh Boyle, CEO, Zeo Records
Thom Dickerson, Co-Founder, Gallery Clothing Co
Neil MacDonald, EiR, NISP CONNECT
School, Belfast, St Killian’s College, Carnlough, St Louis Grammar School,
Ballymena, St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, St Louise’s Comprehensive
College, Belfast, St Malachy’s College, Belfast, St Malachy’s High School,
Castlewellan, St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Belfast,
St Mary’s College, Derry, St Mary’s Limavady, St Patrick’s Academy,
Dungannon, St Patrick’s Bilateral, Maghera, St Patrick’s College, Belfast
St Patrick’s High School, Keady, St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook
St Pius X College, Magherafelt, St Rose’s Dominican College, Belfast
Strangford Integrated College, Carrowdore, Strathearn School, Belfast
Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, The Royal Belfast Academical
Institution, The Royal School Dungannon, Thornhill College, Londonderry
Victoria College, Belfast, Wallace High School, Lisburn, Wellington
College, Belfast
ENTERPRISE FORUM
PANELLISTS
Newland McKelvey
Greg McDaid, Fujitsu
Iain Gray, Technology Strategy Board
Hank Skorny
Paul Moorhead, Intel
Bill McCluggage, British Computer Society (BCS)
Ben Greene, IET
Gregory Burton, US Consul General Belfast
Brendan McGoran, Belfast City Council
John D Breidenstine, US Embassy London
Robert Mollen, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP
David Cobb, Deloitte LLP
Elaine Lamb, La Playa Insurance
James Kuykendall, US Embassy London
Jonathan Bradford, Techstars London
Sandy McKinnon, Techstart NI & Pentech Ventures
Jamie Andrews, Rainstor
Tom Kitt, PCH/Highway 1
Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech
Stephen Wray, ECIT
Philip McAleese, SeeSense
Gerard McBreen, Komodo
Fiona McLaughlin, Pingster
Fergus Wallace, InphoActive & Intelligent Play
Rory Caren, IBM
Noel Crawford, IBM
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School, Newry, Aquinas Diocesan
Grammar School, Belfast, Ashfield Boys’ High School, Belfast
Ballyclare High School, Ballyclare Secondary School, Ballymena
Academy, Banbridge Academy, Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College
Belfast Boys’ Model School, Belfast High School, Newtownabbey
Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast Royal Academy,Bloomfield
Collegiate, Belfast, Cambridge House Grammar School, Ballymena
Campbell College, Belfast, Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Omagh
Collegiate Grammar School, Enniskillen, Cookstown High School,
Corpus Christi College, Belfast, Dalriada School, Ballymoney, Dominican
College, Belfast, Down High School, Downpatrick, Downshire School,
Carrickfergus, Dromore High School, Fivemiletown College, Foyle College
Friends’ School, Lisburn, Glastry College, Newtownards, Glengormley
High School, Grosvenor Grammar School, Lagan College, Belfast, Larne
Grammar School, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh, Magherafelt High
School, Malone Integrated College, Belfast, Methodist College, Belfast,
New-Bridge Integrated College, Loughbrickland, Newtownbreda High
School, North West Regional College, Derry, Northern Regional College,
Omagh Academy, Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry, Priory College,
Holywood, Rathmore Grammar School, Belfast, Regent House Grammar
School, Newtownards, Sacred Heart College, Omagh, Shimna Integrated
College, Newcastle, South Eastern Regional College, South West
College (SWC), Southern Regional College, Sperrin Integrated College,
Magherafelt, St Catherine’s College, Armagh, St Cecilia’s College, Derry
St Ciaran’s High School, Ballygawley, St Colm’s High School,
Draperstown, St Colman’s College, Newry, St Comhghall’s College,
Lisnaskea, St Dominic’s Grammar School, Belfast, St Genevieve’s High
STAKEHOLDERS
Sheree Atcheson, Women Who Code Belfast
Irene Bell, Stranmillis University College
Michael Bell, N. I Food & Drink Association
Olwen Black, Belfast Boys’ Model School
Andrew Bolster, Farset Labs
John Andy Bonar, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)
Mark Brotherston, Inspire Business Centre
Linda Brown, Institute of Directors (IOD)
Mari Cahalane, BT Young Scientist Exhibition (BTYSE)
Michelle Carson, Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust
Paul Clancy, Halo
Stephen Colvin, The Newsweek Daily Beast Company
Liz Conlon, Institute of Physics in Ireland
Lynn Connaughton, Colleges NI
Bill Connor, Sentinus
Majella Corrigan, CCEA
Andrew Cowan, Northern Irish Connections
Roisin Crawford, STEM Aware
John D’Arcy, Open University
Sheila Davidson, Emeritus Communications
Patsy Donaghy, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)
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THE DIRECTORY
Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness NI
Pat Doyle, Invest NI
Charlotte Dryden, Oh Yeah Centre
Emma Dunseith, BBC Northern Ireland
Carol Fitzsimons, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland
David Gavaghan, Titanic Quarter
Clair Gheel, E-Skills
Neil Gibson, Economic Policy Centre
Gordon Gough, Enterprise NI
Eva Grosman, Centre for Democracy and Peace Building
Paul Hanna, British Computer Society
Judith Harvey, W5
Yvonne Higgins, ISTA (Irish Science Teachers’ Association)
Brian Hunter, CIDO
Neil Hutchinson, Include Youth
Ian Jeffers, The Prince’s Trust
Matt Johnston, Digital Circle
Richard Johnston, Economic Policy Centre
Robert Johnston, Cookstown High School
David Kane, Farset Labs
Bryan Keating, MATRIX
Roseann Kelly, Women in Business NI
Ruth Kelly, Science Cafe Belfast
Vivienne Kerr, School Employer Connections
Scott King, NIACE
Grainne Lennon, InterTradeIreland
Elaine Lennox, The Association for Science Education (ASE)
Méabh McCaffrey-Lau, Nerve Belfast
Shirley McCay, Belfast City Council
Bill McCluggage, British Computer Society
Chris McCreery, Northern Ireland Science Festival
Una McDermott, Code Club
Eoin McFadden, DETI (Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment)
Ciaran McGarrity, DETI (Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment)
Kieran McGeown, St Mary’s University College Belfast
Brendan McGoran, Belfast City Council
Thomas Hunter, McGowan
InterTradeIreland
Bronagh McGreevy, St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena
Ann McGregor, NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Angela McKeown, Royal Society of Chemistry
Sinead McLaughlin, The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce
Mervyn Middleby, BBC Northern Ireland
Wilfred Mitchell, Federation of Small Business
Cathy Moore, N.I. Schools and Colleges Careers Association
Paul Moorhead, IET
Averil Morrow, AmmA Centre
Melanie Mulligan, CCEA
Daithi Murray, St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook
Mark Nagurski, CultureTECH
Michael Noble, Momentum NI
Nicholas O’Shiel, Omagh Enterprise
Karen Orme, South Eastern Regional College
Anne Orr, Management Consultant
Leslie Orr, ADS
Bryan Patten, Washington Ireland Program
John Peto, The Nerve Centre
Roger Pollen, Federation of Small Business
Diane Roberts, Propel
Kerry Scullion, Armagh Planetarium
Ciaran Sheehan, Clarendon Executive
John Simpson, Economist
Sarah Smith, North City Business Centre Ltd
Nigel Smyth, CBI Northern Ireland
Aaron Taylor, Friday Night Mashup
Martin Thomas, Arkwright Scholarships Trust
Sharon Tracey-Collins, Omagh Enterprise
Mary Trainor-Nagele, Arts & Business NI
Adam Wallace, FabLab Belfast
Jonathan Wallace, Ulster University
Mary Walshok, San Diego CONNECT
Lynne Weir, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)
Richard Williams, Northern Ireland Screen
Stephen Wray, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)
WE COULDN’T
DO IT
WITHOUT YOU
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PROGRAMMES
US-NI
MENTORSHIP
PROGRAMME
Established in 2010, the US-NI Mentorship Programme is a
challenging, one-year paid work placement programme in which
Northern Ireland domiciled graduates are selected to work for a USbased corporation. The Programme is designed to develop Northern
Ireland’s future business leaders and entrepreneurs by giving them the
opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and mentoring. 55 Northern Irish graduates have completed the Programme and to date
it has generated approximately £2M in salaries for participants. The opportunity to spend a year working in the U.S. and interacting with
a different business culture is already proving to have a positive impact
on participants. Within our growing alumni, we are seeing our talented
graduates flourish both personally and professionally and contribute to
Northern Ireland on both a societal and economic level. This is in no
small part thanks to all the companies that have given and continue to
give their commitment to this important programme. In order to support the region’s economic
development more fully, it is imperative that we
achieve financial independence. Only then can we
react swiftly and innovatively to any current challenge,
under the guidance and direction of our independent
and knowledgeable leadership group. We have
created a model to develop alternative streams of
income (membership, sponsorship and philanthropy),
while the Science Park continues to provide the
crucial underwriting which enables recruitment and
retention of our excellent staff.
The NI Science Park Trust is a key element in
that model. It is the vehicle to enable us to grow
philanthropic support to aid Northern Ireland’s
growth into a thriving knowledge economy. TG Eakin,
a leading medical devices company, led the way with
two significant donations to the Trust.
Earlier this year, Tom O’Gorman and Jim Finnegan,
two successful local entrepreneurs, worked with the
Trust to develop the Generation Innovation Internship
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Prize. This provides a prize fund of £22,000, with six
young entrepreneurs receiving £2,000 internships
to develop their business ideas, alongside an
Entrepreneur in Residence. They will then pitch for
the winning prize of £10,000.
These are great examples of how the private sector
can support the critical work that we do. We were
delighted when the NI Science Park Trust was
recognised at the UK Science Park Association
Awards in July 2014, where it won the ‘Most
Innovative Project’, beating off competition from
across the UK.
A key aim of the Trust is to engage the whole
community in wealth creation through innovation and
technology, by prioritising science and technology in
education and business. NISP CONNECT is calling
on the local and international business community to
get involved with the Trust and develop new talent on
the basis of “enlightened self-interest.”
PROGRAMMES
FINANCIALS
FUNDING
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
Membership
153,000
133,195
126,000
Sponsorship
100,701
74,820
78,142
NISP/NISP Trust
103,423
23,000
-
Grant
146,000
174,902
208,837
Total Income
503,124
405,917
412,979
Programme costs
168,671
116,070
121,410
Other costs
54,098
71,413
60,141
Salaries
280,354
218,434
224,064
Total Costs
503,124
405,917
405,615
SURPLUS/DEFICIT
0
0
7,364
COSTS
Performa Sport pitching at NI Bureau’s Diaspora Event in San Francisco.
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PROGRAMMES
ENQUIRIES TO:
NISP CONNECT is an independent, non-profit organisation that supports
the development of innovative technologies and early-stage companies
through a series of educational seminars, mentorship programmes,
capital competitions, and public policy advocacy.
The programmes are driven by the findings of the Northern Ireland
Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) and are guided by the pro bono
contributions of experienced entrepreneurs and executives.
Trudy Parry
Special Events and Programme Co-ordinator, NISP CONNECT
trudy.parry@nispconnect.org
+44 (0) 28 9073 7800
The Innovation Centre
Northern Ireland Science Park
Queen’s Road, Queen’s Island
Belfast BT3 9DT
NISP CONNECT accelerates the growth of knowledge-based companies
by acting as an honest, neutral broker and aims to catalyse the
commercialisation of world-class research and intellectual property.
A joint effort between Northern Ireland’s academic research base,
the University of Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast, the Agri-Food
and Biosciences Institute, and Northern Ireland’s private sector, the
NISP CONNECT programmes are designed to facilitate a culture
of collaboration between the region’s highest quality science and
technology entrepreneurs, research institutions, professional services
providers and investors.
Based at:
NISP CONNECT is proudly part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the
European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2010 - 2015
circletwitterbird nispconnect
| nispconnect.org | +44 (0) 28 9073 7800
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