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NewsInnovation vouchers reach 1,000
Innovation vouchers reach 1,000
01.09.2010
Over 1,000 small Irish firms have used a €5,000 Government innovation voucher which allows them to link with college researchers to solve business and technical problems, according to the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan TD.
Enterprise Ireland manages the innovation voucher initiative on behalf of the Government.
The innovation voucher enables small firms to access skills, knowledge and specialist facilities in Government-funded research institutions.
Small Irish firms are now working with research teams in more than 41 research institutions - or so-called knowledge providers - across the
island.
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has completed 144 innovation voucher projects since the initiative was launched three years ago. The Institute of Technology Carlow has completed 70 projects, University College Cork has completed 68 projects, Athlone Institute of Technology has completed 65 projects and Cork Institute of Technology has completed 58 projects.
The executive director of Enterprise Ireland, Feargal Ó Móráin, said: “WIT has completed a remarkable level of innovation voucher projects with small companies, helping them to solve business and technical challenges and enabling them to move their business on to the next level through
innovative practices.
“Enterprise Ireland is working with all the participating knowledge providers to ensure that small businesses in receipt of an innovation
voucher get access to first-class human resources and equipment in 41 locations around Ireland.”
To get an innovation voucher, a firm's project must require an innovative solution, provide additional value for the company and have ongoing
benefits.
The next call for applications opens on 1 October.
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