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PROGRAMMES

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15

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PROGRAMMES

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NORTHERN IRELAND CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS...

2ND FASTEST GROWING REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN UK.

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.

...AND SO DOES NISP CONNECTNISP CONNECT IMPACT

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

NI Tech leaders at Buckingham Palace

NISP CONNECT BY NUMBERS

• 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!

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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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WHAT WE STAND FOR 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.

If NISP CONNECT is successful, we will have helped to develop a culture of collaboration in Northern Ireland: this is what an innovation eco-system is really about.

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS In April 2014 we set just one critical success factor for the twelve months to March 2015. This was:

“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.

“OUR VISION IS TO TRANSFORM NORTHERN IRELAND INTO ONE OF THE MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOWLEDGE ECONOMIES IN EUROPE BY 2030.”

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STEVE ORRDIRECTOR

 

ELAINE SMYTHHEAD OF PROGRAMMES

 

TRUDY PARRYSPECIAL EVENTS &

PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR 

PETER EDGARINVENT

CO-FOUNDERS WANTEDINNOVATION FOUNDER

US NI MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

CLAIRE BURGOYNE GENERATION INNOVATION

FRAMEWORKSNI KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

HOLLY MILLARSPRINGBOARD CO-ORDINATOR

NATASHA DEENEYDIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA

COMMUNICATIONS CO-ORDINATOR

JOHN KNAPTONSPRINGBOARD DIRECTOR

THE TEAM

LEADERSHIP BOARDNORMAN APSLEYNISP

PAUL BEANEYULSTER UNIVERSTIY

TIM BRUNDLEULSTER UNIVERSITY

GAVIN CAMPBELLBOMBARDIER

HUGH CORMICANCIRDAN IMAGING

PETER FITZGERALD RANDOX LABORATORIES

TONY GALLAGHERQUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

CHRIS GUYMILLS SELIG

NIALL HARKINDANSKE BANK

CHRIS HORNCHAIR

PHILIP MAGUIRENISP

BRIAN MCCAULQUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

DAVID MCHUGHSEAGATE

HUGH MCKENNAULSTER UNIVERSITY

ALEC MCRITCHIEBOMBARDIER

JULIE-ANN O’HAREBANK OF IRELAND

MICHAEL ROBINSONAFBI

ALAN TAYLORARTHUR COX

ALAN WATTSHALO

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MEMBERSHIP THANK YOU BENEFACTOR

PLATINUMOfficial Sponsor

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Colour Logo for use on white background

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PLATINUM £10K

GOLD £5K

SILVER £2K

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.

SUMMARYSpringboard 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.

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.

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

11GRADUATED THIS YEAR

41GRADUATED

TO DATE

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

The number of applications has also significantly increased year-on-year, 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 best-practice 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.

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PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD

DELIVERABLES KPIs (2014/15)

£19MINVESTED

170DIRECT, NEW JOBS CREATED

650JOBS 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 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.”

CHRISTINE BOYLE, SENERGY

“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.”

DANIEL CRAWFORD, AXIAL 3D

“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

STEERING TEAM

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)

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PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD

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PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD

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.”

KYLE GAWLEY , GET INVITED

“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

SPRINGBOARD EiRs

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PROGRAMMES CO-FOUNDERS WANTED

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.  

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.

STEERING TEAM

Brian Baird (Chair) EiR NISP CONNECTStephen O’Kane, PWCKathryn Walls, Mills SeligKarla Dooey, Arthur CoxVincent Farrelly, QUBJohn Macrae, Ulster UniversityMichael Robinson, AFBIJason Johnston, Carson McDowellGabrielle McArdle, Bank of Ireland

ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY

£33KPRIZE FUND

SUMMARYINVENT 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.

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.

INVENT 2015

200AUDIENCE AT QUICKPITCH

600GUESTS AT INVENT AWARDS AT TITANIC BELFAST

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PROGRAMMES INVENT

92ENTRANTS

OVERALL WINNER

MAIN SPONSOR

WINNER: Inlifesize, Founder: Greg MaguireLed 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.

Write-to-Read, Founder: Gareth ReidGareth 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. 

WINNER: Microbial Nematicides, Founder: Johnathan DalzellMicrobial 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.

True Food, Founder: Tassos KoidisTrueFood 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

Overall winners Plotbox

CREATIVE MEDIA AND CONSUMER INTERNET AGRI-FOOD

SPONSORS:

Bank of IrelandIntelIBMActavisSeagateDow AgriSciencesBombardier

Randox (Afterparty)Tughans (Mentor Day)Ulster University (Student Comp)

PARTNERS

Ulster Student’s UnionQUB Enterprise Students UnionQUBHSC InnovationsUlster UniversityNIFDA - Northern Ireland Food and Drink AssociationInstitution of Engineering and TechnologyADS GroupBioBusinessDigital CircleMomentum NI

STEERING TEAM

Ronan Cunningham, NISP CONNECT EIR, Banbatech, ChairAndrew Jennings, Arthur CoxNeasa Quigley, Carson McDowellAdrian O’Connell, TughansKathryn Walls, Mills SeligMark Skrillen, Atlas CommunicationsNeil Buchanan, Flish and ECITNiamh Griffin, Bank of IrelandJennifer Cook, Ulster UniversityPaul Donachy, QUBDavid Brownlee, HSCMichael Robinson, AFBI

Sponsored by: Sponsored by:

QuickPitch

WINNER: See.Sense, Founders: Philip and Irene McAleeseThe 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. 

Photonic Measurements, Founders: Vincent McCorry and Connor DouglasThe 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.

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WINNER: Vaccine Tabs, Founder: Vicky KettThe 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.

WiFiEar, Founders: Roger Woods, Brian Douglas and Bosheng ZhouWiFiEar 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.

ELECTRONICS

INVENT Awards Dinner at Titanic Belfast.

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LIFE AND HEALTH

WINNER: Green Sword, Founder: David MoorheadGreen 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 KochanskiCool 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.

ENGINEERING

WINNER: Plotbox, Founders: Sean and Leona McAlisterPlotbox 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.

Sixty-5, Founder: John ArrellSixty-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.

ENTERPRISE SOFTWARE

PROGRAMMES INVENT

Sponsored by: Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:Sponsored by:

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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.

INNOVATIONFOUNDEROF THE YEAR

PREVIOUS WINNERS

DR PETER FITZGERALD2013

TOM EAKIN2012

DR HUGH CORMICAN2011

PROF JOHN ANDERSON2010

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PROGRAMMES INVENT

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PROGRAMMES

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KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY INDEXThe 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.

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.

STEERING TEAM

Scott Rutherford, Queen’s University Belfast (Chair)Alan Bissett, Arthur CoxAlan Bridle, Bank of Ireland UKTim Brundle, Ulster UniversityDonal Durkan, Invest NIMichael McCormack, BT

MAIN SPONSOR:

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GENERATION INNOVATIONGeneration 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.

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 action-packed evening.

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

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

Chair - Lynsey Mallon, Arthur CoxBill Connor, SentinusLiguori Dobbin, Bank of IrelandCarol Fitzsimons, YENITony Gallagher, QUBMicheal Ievers, Stranmillis University CollegeRachel McAllister, Carson McDowellJohn McGuckian, TughansJoanne Stuart, NISP Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig

circletwitterbird GenInnovators | circlefacebook GenInnovation | generationinnovation.co

PROGRAMMES

FRAMEWORKS

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.

STEERING TEAM

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)

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PROGRAMMES

ENTERPRISE FORUMNISP 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.

ENTERPRISE FORUM EVENTS

Fujitsu WorkshopRoundtable with TSBThe Internet of ThingsSelectUSAPCH/Highway 1Inventors Showcase at the BBC

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PROGRAMMES

FRAMEWORKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014/15TOPIC MAIN SPEAKER PANELLISTS ATTENDED RATING

Startup Fundamentals Eoin Lambkin, Groupe-Intellex Ian Scott, TaggledJulie-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, PathXLStephen Houston, NISP EiR

35 4.7

R&D Tax Credits Sonia Cheetham, PwC Mari McLarnon, PwC

Carolynn Rooney, Biznet SolutionsMark 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.SenseSebastian Heinz, Mindflood LtdAlan Watts, HaloMarcin 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 Live-ly 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

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OTHER ACTIVITIES

NI TECH MISSION

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 globally-focused products or services and are considering expansion or increasing sales and investment opportunities on the West Coast of America.

TECHWATCHTechWatch, 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.

PlotboxInLifeSizeQuizFortuneAnalytics EnginesGreen SwordSee.SenseTitanICVaccine TabsGet Invited

Performa SportsAnaekoSkunkworks Surfboard CompanyVenuebookerSpeechstormDisplaynoteECIT Institute

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THE DIRECTORYNI TECH

MISSION

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THE DIRECTORY

A HUGE THANK YOU TO...SPRINGBOARD ENTREPRENEURS-IN-RESIDENCE (EIRS)

Brian Baird, Replify LtdJeremy Biggerstaff, Flint StudiosMichael Black, IntelGeoff Clarke, Treze Technology LtdColin Coffey, Digital Venture GroupBrendan Colgan, B.C. ConsultingDarren Craig, IBM Security FSSRonan Cunningham, BanbatechLes Curran, Export TechnologiesJG Doherty, Analytics EnginesBruce Douglas, AvevaGareth Dunlop, FathomRichard Furey, YeloTom Griffiths, Entrepreneur, Ideas Originator, Motivational speaker, Social InnovatorRob Grundy, Anglezarke Lifesciences LtdStuart Harvey, DatacticsStephen Houston, SophiaMichael Keltai, VP Partner Business & Consultant to BoardEoin Lambkin, Group-IntellexJude Lynch, Performa SportsNeil MacDonald, Entrepreneur & Environmental Services SpecialistPeter Massey, BuddBill McCluggage, Laganview Associates LtdMary McKenna, Tech Entrepreneur & InvestorRichard McMullan, SliderobesLiam McQuillan, NISP Entrepreneur in ResidenceKarl Mulligan, NISP Entrepreneur in ResidenceDenis Murphy, Anaeko Christine Naylor, Rockport VenturesAndrew Owen, Business Development & Marketing ProfessionalClare Passmore, Clear Spirit DesignRichard Plunkett, Leckey DesignsPaul Rothwell, Kiverco Ltd.Stephen Seawright, WiSARJim Shields, OpenarcAnn-Marie Slavin, Smyson SolutionsDes Speed, Path XLSinclair Stockman, NISP Entrepreneur in ResidenceJulie Taylor, Intergrity NIAndrew Walmsley, Non exec Director- Business Mentor- Angel Investor

DOMAIN EXPERTS

Richie Anderson Jamie Andrews, Rainstor, Pentech Ventures LLPJom Bastow Andrew Baxter, XenosenseIan Beatty, Danske BankRichard Bell Paul Brewster, Pure Marine GenPaul Clancy, HaloHenry Cleary, Bank of IrelandRose Crozier Noel Culbert, PwCBrian Cummings, Clarendon Fund ManagersDarryl Cummins, Ulster UniversitySara Dalzell, KomodoIain Darby Sheila Davidson, Emeritus CommunicationsAndrew Dennis, AndorSinead Devlin, Proano LtdKarla Doey, Arthur CoxVicky Dummigan, TughansPaddy Dunlop, Ulster UniversityStephen Ellis, AEJ Business SolutionsAlistair Fee, Acorn InternationalRichard Furey, YeloGodfrey Gaston, TitanICKyle Gawley, Get InvitedPhilip Gilliland, Caldwell RobinsonColette Goldrick, ABPIAlan Gourley, PwCNiamh Griffin, Bank of IrelandGareth Hawthorn Colm Hayden, AnaekoDavid Hill, Hill Business Growth ConsultantsLaura Houston, Analytics EnginesIan Jeffers, The Prince’s TrustBryan Keating, MatrixJudith Kee, AndorAlastair Keith, A&L GoodbodyPeter Kelly, PwCScott King, NIACEPaul Larmor, Ulster WeaversOliver Lennon, Speech Storm

23

THE DIRECTORY

Edel Madden, Xsell TeamPhilip Maguire, NISPSean McCann, Carson McDowell SolicitorsBrian McCaul, Queen’s University BelfastGary McCausland Kerry McCorkell, TughansDenis McCotter, WH StephensNaomh McElhatton, RUA DigitalGrainne McGarvey, Pulse PRClaire McGonigle, PwCBrendan McGoran, Belfast City CouncilCaroline McGoran, Ulster UniversityJohn McGuckian, TughansFergus McIlduff, Automated IntelligenceNoel McKenna, Sensurity Sandy McKinnon, TechStartNI Daniel McRitchie, ScileadsPaul Moffett, SensurityMaureen Murphy, AurionNuala Murphy, AdoreboardPaul O’Brien Stephen O’Kane, PwCDomhnail O’Neill, Glastonbury AssociatesAnne Orr, Management ConsultantBrian Reid, KainosGary Robb, Entrepreneur in ResidenceCarolynn Rooney, NISPNatasha Sayee, RandoxAsh Songra, 352 MedicalSue Spencer, Encompass MarketingMark Thompson, A&L GoodbodyIvan Waide, A&L GoodbodyKathryn Walls, Mills SeligAlan Watts, HaloHal Wilson, TechStartNI Shannon Wolf-Montague Suzanne Woodside, MadebyMint

INVENT1ST ROUND JUDGES

Jayne Brady, IET and Kernel CapitalPeter Donnelly, BioBusinessClare Passmore, NISP CONNECT EiRNoel McKenna, SensurityTom Walls, Laser Prototypes EuropeMatt Johnston, Digital CircleAnn-Marie Slavin, NISP CONNECT EiRMichael Noble, Momentum NIColin Coffey, NISP CONNECT EiRMichael Bell, NIFDARyan Adams, Digital Circle and Learning PoolRichard Furey, IET and Yelo

QUICK PITCH TRAINING

Kyle Gawley, Get InvitedTim Brundle, University of Ulster

QUICK PITCH JUDGES

Tom Eakin, TG Eakin LtdHugh Cormican, Cirdan Imaging LtdAndy Hopper, University of CambridgeClive Black, Shore CapitalAlan Watts, HaloJulie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of IrelandSiggi Saevarsson, Intel

FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOP

Stephen Simpson, Bank of IrelandJohn Miller, Invest NIAllen Martin, Kernel Capital

MENTOR WORKSHOP

Vicky Dummigan, TughansKerry McCorkell, TughansGeoff Clarke, NISP CONNECT EiRBruce Douglas, NISP CONNECT EiRAndrew Walmsley, NISP CONNECT EiRJude Lynch, NISP CONNECT EiRLiam McQuillan, NISP CONNECT EiRBrian Cummings, Enterprise EquityJayne Brady, Kernel CapitalJG Doherty, NISP CONNECT EiRBob Magowan Smyth, Crescent CapitalSandy McKinnon, Techstart NIEoin Lambkin, NISP CONNECT EiRTristan Brittain DissontMichael HillandColin Crangle, Bank of IrelandRobbie Milliken, Bank of Ireland

INNOVATION FOUNDER PANEL

Tom Eakin, TG Eakin LtdHugh Cormican, Cirdan ImagingJulie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of IrelandPeter FitzGerald, Randox

FINAL ROUND JUDGING

Rob Hardeman, SeagateKathryn Walls, Mills SeligPaul Moorhead, IntelAlex van Someren, Amadeus Capital Partners William Corrigan, DowJulie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland UKJim McIlroy, Actavis

INVENT STUDENT JUDGES

Ann-Marie Slavin, NISP CONNECT EiRIan Stone, Bank of IrelandKate Russell, BBC Click

PARTNERS

Michael Bell, NIFDALeslie Orr, ADS GroupJayne Brady, IETLynner Weir, QUB Enterprise SUJemma Dolan, University of Ulster SUNuala Kilmartin, Belfast MetMichael Noble, Momentum NIPeter Donnelly, BioBusiness

GENERATION INNOVATIONTECH FOUNDERS 2015

JP Harkin, Head of Development, 8over8Gerry McGurgan, Founder, 8over8Chris Johnston, Founder & CEO, AdoreboardMartin Neill, CEO, Airpos

24

THE DIRECTORY

Denis Murphy, CEO, AnaekoRobert Grundy, Founder, Anglezarke Life Sciences LtdJohn Flynn, Head of Business Services, AsiduaChris Acheson, Founder & CEO, CADsharePatricia O’Hagan, MD, Core SystemsMark Nagurski, CEO, CultureTECHLesley Brown, Director, Dot RetailerNeil Buchanan, CTO, FLISHTom Griffiths, Founder, gapyear.comKyle Gawley, CEO, Get InvitedConor Moran, CEO, GoReportDavid Moorhead, MD, Green SwordEoin Lambkin, Owner, Groupe-IntellexMark Hutchinson, MD, Hutchinson EngineeringDavid McGrath, MD, JAM MediaNoel McQuaid, Technical Director, James Leckey DesignJeff Wylie CFO, KanaSheena Lewis, CEO, Lewis Fertility TestingTim Potter , Co-Founder, Little Thunder Co.Stevie Morrow, Director, Loughshore InvestmentsConnor Douglas, Co-Founder, Photonic MeasurementsVincent McCorry, Co-Founder, Photonic MeasurementsLeona McAllister, Co-Founder, PlotBoxLorraine Martin, CEO, ProAx-SiSPaul Brewster, CTO, Pure Marine GenStephen Houston, Executive Chairman, QuizFortuneJohn Reid CEO, RepKnightSimon Hamilton, Founder & CEO, Rumble LabsPhilip McAleese, CEO, See.SenseJames McLaughlin, CEO, SiSafColin Williams, Creative Director, Sixteen SouthChris Martin, Founder, Skunkworks Surf Co.David Patterson, CEO, SophiaRuth Morrow, Director and Co-Founder, Tactility FactoryIan Scott, Founder, TaggledMalcolm Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, Total MobileMary McCall, Founder & Managing Director, Treat TicketJanet Coulter, Senior Lecturer, Ulster UniversityVicky Kett Founder, Vaccine TabTaidgh Boyle, CEO, Zeo RecordsThom Dickerson, Co-Founder, Gallery Clothing CoNeil MacDonald, EiR, NISP CONNECT

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School, Newry, Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Belfast, Ashfield Boys’ High School, BelfastBallyclare High School, Ballyclare Secondary School, Ballymena Academy, Banbridge Academy, Bangor Academy and Sixth Form CollegeBelfast Boys’ Model School, Belfast High School, NewtownabbeyBelfast Metropolitan College, Belfast Royal Academy,Bloomfield Collegiate, Belfast, Cambridge House Grammar School, BallymenaCampbell College, Belfast, Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, OmaghCollegiate 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 CollegeFriends’ 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, DerrySt 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

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, BelfastSt Patrick’s High School, Keady, St Paul’s High School, BessbrookSt Pius X College, Magherafelt, St Rose’s Dominican College, BelfastStrangford Integrated College, Carrowdore, Strathearn School, BelfastSullivan Upper School, Holywood, The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, The Royal School Dungannon, Thornhill College, LondonderryVictoria College, Belfast, Wallace High School, Lisburn, Wellington College, Belfast

ENTERPRISE FORUMPANELLISTS

Newland McKelveyGreg McDaid, FujitsuIain Gray, Technology Strategy BoardHank SkornyPaul Moorhead, IntelBill McCluggage, British Computer Society (BCS)Ben Greene, IETGregory Burton, US Consul General BelfastBrendan McGoran, Belfast City CouncilJohn D Breidenstine, US Embassy LondonRobert Mollen, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLPDavid Cobb, Deloitte LLPElaine Lamb, La Playa Insurance

James Kuykendall, US Embassy LondonJonathan Bradford, Techstars LondonSandy McKinnon, Techstart NI & Pentech Ventures

Jamie Andrews, RainstorTom Kitt, PCH/Highway 1Ronan Cunningham, BanbatechStephen Wray, ECITPhilip McAleese, SeeSenseGerard McBreen, KomodoFiona McLaughlin, PingsterFergus Wallace, InphoActive & Intelligent PlayRory Caren, IBMNoel Crawford, IBM

STAKEHOLDERSSheree 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 UniversitySheila Davidson, Emeritus Communications Patsy Donaghy, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)

25

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

26

PROGRAMMES

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

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.”

US-NI MENTORSHIP PROGRAMMEEstablished 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 US-based 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. 

27

PROGRAMMES

FINANCIALSFUNDING 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

COSTS

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

Performa Sport pitching at NI Bureau’s Diaspora Event in San Francisco.

28

PROGRAMMES

ENQUIRIES TO:

Trudy ParrySpecial Events and Programme Co-ordinator, NISP CONNECTtrudy.parry@nispconnect.org+44 (0) 28 9073 7800

The Innovation CentreNorthern Ireland Science ParkQueen’s Road, Queen’s IslandBelfast BT3 9DT

circletwitterbird nispconnect | nispconnect.org | +44 (0) 28 9073 7800

NISP CONNECT is proudly part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2010 - 2015

Based at:

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.

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.