VITAL - Scouting for new products and technologies
VITAL Technology Scouting Initiative wants to hear from SMEs based in Northern Ireland (outside of the greater Belfast region) and the six border counties of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan, & Sligo that need a new product or a new innovative technology which will have the potential to grow their business.
VITAL is a pioneering new €2.56 million cross-border collaboration between Queen’s University Belfast, Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dublin City University, designed to connect SMEs with innovative ideas.
VITAL is funded by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA programme and the relevant departments of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
VITAL Project Manager Sinead Cahill, from Queen’s University’s Research and Enterprise Directorate, said: “Queen’s University is delighted to be involved in this very exciting new initiative. VITAL recognises that not all SMEs qualify for state supported R&D schemes and acknowledges that time constraints within SMEs can often result in product development or new market exploitation being neglected. It is with this in mind that the VITAL technology scouting initiative was designed.
“VITAL has the potential to make a real difference to SMEs that have found it difficult to come up with new product concepts and technology offerings for various reasons. The VITAL technology scouting initiative will work with a small number of SMEs to evaluate their technology need. It will identify and source a solution which will have the potential to achieve top line growth and then provide assistance to fast track to market.”
VITAL Project Director Kieran Fegan says “VITAL will utilise an extensive network of innovation sources to identify the best solution for participating SMEs. It will also provide expertise to guide SMEs through the process of licensing or acquiring the new technology or product and taking it to market.”
Kieran continues “There is no charge for participating in the VITAL technology scouting initiative; however if successful, there is a requirement to commit fully to the project in terms of resources, effort and time.”
More information on this unique project can be viewed by going to www.vitalforideas/techscouting Sinead Cahill can be contacted at Queen’s University Belfast on email [email protected] and on mobile . Similarly Kieran Fegan can be contacted at Dundalk Institute of Technology on email [email protected] and mobile .
