STIMULATING AND SUPPORTING NEW BUSINESS IN IRELAND

Pilot Research Project aimed at profiling of available R & D in BMW region

By James Donlon, April 18, 2006

As part of its continuing collaboration with local partners in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation, WESTBIC have recently agreed a pilot project with Athlone Institute of Technology, for the profiling of the technology and research capabilities in the Institutes of Technology and the public/private sectors in the BMW region. This project, part funded by the EU under the Interreg IIIB Atlantech programme, aims to address the gaps identified in the BMW region regarding availability of information about R&D capabilities. When the research programme is complete this information will be made available on the Expertise Ireland website at www.expertiseireland.com to complement similar information available from the other third level universities and colleges. The Expertise Ireland portal will then have a more comprehensive database of the research and development expertise Ireland has to offer. This information accessible worldwide can be used as a promotional tool in the attraction of companies to locate in Ireland.

The partners in this initiative are:

WESTBIC the EU Business and Innovation Centre servicing the Border, Midlands and West Region of Ireland. Operating to an accredited ISO 9002 Quality Standard, WESTBIC provides innovation services to value-added start-ups, and knowledge-based, early stage, innovative enterprise through its network of offices located throughout the region. (www.westbic.ie)

Expertise Ireland through its portal expertiseireland.com is the gateway to the island's knowledge base - the most advanced on-line portal of its kind in Europe. It brings together innovators and those at the forefront of developing the knowledge economy, be they from a business or academic background. It provides easy to access information on research experts, technology transfer opportunities, research support agencies and funding. (www.expertiseireland.com)

Athlone Institute of Technology Established in 1970, the principal aim of the Institute is to provide education and training for the economic, technological, scientific, commercial, industrial, social and cultural development of the State, with particular reference to the midlands. The Institute currently offers an extensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to 4,000 students, which has been a factor in attracting many industries to the town. It is an important contributor to the local economy and to the shaping of Athlone's future. (www.ait.ie/)

WESTBIC is supported by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and Enterprise Ireland through government funding under the productive Sector Operational Programme 2000-06. This project is part-funded by the EU through the Interreg IIIB ATLANTECH project in which WESTBIC is a project partner.

Pictured at the launch of the new research project aimed at profiling R&D availability in the BMW region are Conor Long, Expertise Ireland; Lorna Walsh, AIT; James Donlon, WESTBIC; Seamas McCormack, WESTBIC; Joe Greaney, WESTBIC, Pat Mulhern, AIT; Ann Naughton, AIT.