STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

Innovation Agents Launch in Omagh

By Joan Fahey, October 24, 2008

The importance of innovation within the workplace has become increasingly recognised over the past few years, as the Government and Irish businesses place more emphasis on increasing innovation levels in all sectors. Across the border, companies are also benefiting from a greater emphasis on innovation.

Now, businesses and potential entrepreneurs in the north and west of the country are set to reap the rewards of a new scheme called the Innovation Agents Network. The network was launched in Omagh in early 2008 and will be of help of businesses in Tyrone, Fermanagh and Sligo. It will provide a one-stop shop for advice on the range of innovation and business-development supports available for companies on a cross-border basis.

At the launch of the programme, exhibitors ranged from business development agencies to academic institutions and came from both north and south of the border. They included Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre (NORIBIC), InterTradeIreland, Invest Northern Ireland, WESTBIC (the Business and Innovation Centre in the Border, Midland and Western Region) and Enterprise Ireland.

Dr Bernard Toal, Chief Executive of NORIBIC, which manages the Innovation Agent Network, feels the large turnout highlights the interest in innovation in the region. “It is of utmost importance that small to medium-sized enterprises address innovation in order to improve their businesses by energising and enhancing their commercial, growth and export potential”, he says. “The Innovation Agent Network is running a variety of seminars throughout the region in the coming months and we would urge anyone interested in growing their business on either side of the border to release their innovation potential by getting involved in the programme”.

The programme is delivered by both the Business and Innovation Centre in the Border, Midland and Western Region, WESTBIC and NORIBIC in conjunction with South West College and Institute of Technology, Sligo. Together, they provide expertise and knowledge to assist business innovation and development of new ideas.