Minister Conor Lenihan welcomes ¤200,000 for new initiative to boost software industry through links with research institutes
Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation Conor Lenihan today (Wednesday 3rd February 2010) welcomed the announcement of a new initiative to increase collaboration between software companies and research institutes in Ireland.
The Government has provided funding of ¤200,000 over 3 years through Enterprise Ireland for the Irish Software Innovation Network (ISIN). The Irish Software Association, a business sector within IBEC, will run the new network .
The ISIN will act as a matchmaking service between software companies and third level research institutes, connecting businesses to the world-class expertise available in Ireland's universities. The service will be provided free to Network members.
Minister Lenihan said: “This initiative gives the ISA the resources to introduce their members to innovation and R&D. As they speak the same language, the ISA is the best placed to deliver advice and support their member companies as they explore how R&D can transform their businesses”.
“Companies and academia need to work together to ensure that the software industry will drive economic recovery and Ireland’s smart economy. Government will continue to engage positively with the software sector to ensure that the potential for initiatives such as this is fully realised and supported,” Minister Lenihan added.
Outlining how the ISIN will benefit Irish software companies, ISIN manager Michael Martin said: "There is massive potential to boost innovation, enterprise and employment if we can get our software companies to work more closely with research institutes. The network will be of interest to any business that wants to commercialise a specific technology, but which may not have the internal resources needed to conduct the research themselves.
Gearoid Mooney, Director of ICT Research Commercialisation, Enterprise Ireland said;
“Enterprise Ireland recognises that the Irish Software Association has established trust and shared experiences with their members. We want the ISA to build on the strong relationships they already have with their member companies to provide independent and experience-based advice on the innovation and R&D options open to software companies in Ireland”.
Michael Martin encouraged software companies to get in touch saying, "If a company is interested in participating, we will meet with you to discuss your research requirements. We will then identify potential academic partners and match the appropriate academic expertise to support your company."
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Notes to the editor:
The ISIN is the third and final Enterprise Innovation Network to be funded by Enterprise Ireland.
Enterprise Ireland prepared the initiative to resource existing industry groups that wish to play a role in promoting the importance of innovation, and R&D in the growth of Irish industry.
Each network will receive ¤200,000 per annum for 3 years in financial support to take on new resources, which will allow the groups to play an active part in increasing the number of companies undertaking R&D and creating a step change in the effectiveness and use of technology.
The three industry groups that were successful in winning funding are:
- The Irish Software Association (ISA)
- The Industrial R&D Group (IRDG)
- The Construction IT Alliance (CITA)
ISIN’s web site (www.isin.ie) provides a comprehensive guide to funding, IP licensing, R&D tax credits, case studies, events and a search facility that companies/research institutes can use to locate matching technology requirements. In Ireland last year, 10 ISA members were involved in collaboration with Irish research institutes.
Employment in the Software Industry
Ireland’s indigenous software industry today comprises over 500 companies, employing more than 10,000 people with combined sales of ¤1.4bn, the vast majority of which is exported.
For more information on the ISIN contact:
Michael Martin, Irish Software Innovation Network manager, 01-6051550 or michael.martin@ibec.ie; or Aoife Keane, Press officer, 01-6051637 or 087-7419438.
Enterprise Ireland contact:
Grace Labanyi, Communications Officer. Tel: 01 7272746 grace.labanyi@enterprise-ireland.com
ENDS
Last modified: 03/02/2010
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