www.nispconnect.org
COLLABORATION MEDIA
PROTOTYPING INNOVATION
ENGINEERING
INTERNET ENTERPRISE TREPRENEURSHIP CREATIVE STARTUPS
RTUPS TECHNOLOGY MEDIA AGRI-FOOD
HEALTH
LIFE INTERNET
AGRI-FOOD
ENGINEERING
STARTUPS
CREATIVE
SOFTWARE
SOFTWARE
GROWTH
ANNUAL 13
REPORT 20
14
MEDIA
PROTOTYPING
BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE
SOFTWARE
WINNING
LIFE
CONSUMER
CREATIVE
KNOWLEDGE
DEVELOPMENT ENGINEERING
CATALYSINGINNOVATION
ELECTRONICS KNOWLEDGE
ECONOMY
STARTUPS
INVEST
AGRI-FO DIGITAL MEDIA
It was a Good Year At
Sen. George Mitchell became US Patron for the NISP Trust
New Programme:
HRH Duke of York welcomed 1st major local donation to NISP Trust, from TG Eakin
...
0 0 0 2,
£ 1
M
>£1m contributed in Volunteer Hours & Member Fees for Under £180k Public Investment 2,000 event attendees
Highly experienced new team member: John Knapton, SPRINGBOARD Director
474 Early stage ventures & wantrepreneurs engaged with NISP CONNECT Programmes
“The CONNECT programme has been successful in developing a supportive ecosystem to help companies develop in the technology and innovation sectors. This is important because hitherto the lack of a successful innovation system has been identified as one of the key constraints on the NI economy.”
An Evaluation of Year 3 of NISP CONNECT – by PwC, Jan 2014
EMPLOYMENT IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY NORTHERN IRELAND 2011
33,370
2010
32,389
2009
31,408
6.2%
UNITED KINGDOM 2011
1,668,730
2010
1,634,780
2009
1,628,417
2.5%
Silicon roundabout and beyond: the best British tech startups
*Source: Knowledge Economy Index Report 2013 – independently produced by NICEP & Oxford Economics
Northern Ireland’s knowledge economy is growing faster than the UK*
Great news:
...and for Northern ireland
From Observer Tech publication feature:
THE VISION
We believe in…
The transformation of Northern Ireland into one of the most entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030 The vision, targets and blockers were crowdsourced at a conference involving 35 of Northern Ireland’s key knowledge economy stakeholders in February 2012
The NISP CONNECT model has finally clicked in recent months so now the challenge is to scale what we are doing. We know the plan. We need to concentrate on just one Critical Success Factor this year to be on track to achieve our vision: Funding!
THE VISION
Each year our Leadership Board identifies the 1-5 priority success factors that NISP CONNECT must address if we are to stay on track with achieving our vision.
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
2013/14
Critical Success Factors
we set some challenging success factors last year. So how did we perform?
Funding
Achieve private funding target agreed with DETI that will lead to the independence and sustainability of NISP CONNECT while ensuring the diversity of competence in its direction.
• Income targets for membership and sponsorship revenues achieved but we came in under target of raising £2M into the NISP Trust.
Develop and execute an advocacy strategy based on the findings of Knowledge Economy Index and stakeholder analysis so that critical public policy interventions are implemented when required.
• Successfully influenced the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s (DETI) Innovation Strategy to: - Adopt Knowledge Economy Index metrics as key indicators. - Increase key targets in the Innovation Strategy. - Prioritise the importance of culture as a ‘Key Blocker’. • Following the extensive advocacy efforts on risk capital in 2013, Steve Orr has been invited onto the steering group for DETI research into the Future of Venture Capital, Private Equity and Growth Finance in Northern Ireland.
Knowledge Economy Advocacy
• Steve Orr invited to represent Northern Ireland on the Tech City Clusters Alliance initiative hosted by Tech City CEO Joanna Shields, including meetings at Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street.
Springboard
Communications
SPRINGBOARD is the most valuable service a community can provide to its entrepreneurs given the diversity of competence and network that can be leveraged. SPRINGBOARD must be improved to become recognised as the elite programme for science and tech entrepreneurs in NI by March 2014.
• Hired experienced industry expert and venture capitalist John Knapton to lead the programme.
Create a buzz about Northern Ireland’s science and tech scene by telling the stories of the entrepreneurs and research rock stars in Northern Ireland achieving success and developing exciting products to key audiences at home and abroad.
• Launched TechWatch as a multimedia tech blog showcasing a hot NI sci-tech startup each week.
Achieve integration of key faculty and students into NISP CONNECT programmes annually.
• NISP CONNECT acknowledges that much more needs to be done to support Northern Ireland’s third level students and academics, and to provide value to their business outreach.
• Developed SPRINGBOARD as a key partner in the global SPRINGBOARD+ programme, integrating with its pool of mentors, domain experts and market experts.
• Created new social and digital media resources, including a dedicated full-time coordinator. • Achieved recognition for Belfast / NI as one of the Observer Tech Monthly’s eight prime UK tech regions.
University Integration
[5]
For NISP CONNECT it has always been about results not rhetoric so it is really exciting to see the progress made in Northern Ireland over the last twelve months. The news and statistics place NI as one of the hottest tech regions in the UK. We’re seeing continuing growth from our pool of science and technology companies creating products with global potential. I’m not known as someone who congratulates governments easily, but I have also been impressed with how the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment has listened to our advocacy work on its Innovation Strategy for Northern Ireland, raising targets and adjusting priorities in response to our feedback. To the mentors, volunteers and collaborators who already commit their time and resources to make NISP CONNECT possible, thank you. My time as Chair of NISP CONNECT has genuinely been a joy. But a great start is just that. If we are to realise our vision we need to raise our game much further and scale what we do. We need more organisations to get involved and recognise their shared duty to support this cause.
Chris Horn Chair
You can feel a buzz in Northern Ireland now. There is a new confidence in the stride of our entrepreneurs as if they are finally realising how damn good they are. Most importantly you can see a culture of collaboration becoming pervasive throughout our innovation community. It is a privilege to provide a platform for our most experienced, successful and connected people to support the most promising. I am constantly amazed by the level of talent and generous participation that is given to helping our entrepreneurs become successful… preferably disgustingly successful. We have always had an experimental, iterative approach to developing our programmes in support of NI’s entrepreneurs. Recently, everything has really started to align. Now collaboration at scale is going to be the critical challenge if we are to realise our vision. We have been inviting local stakeholders to collaborate and offered our help in facilitation. The reaction so far has been very encouraging. The Northern Irish people have been changing the world for over 400 years. That is who we are and what our identity must become again. We create. We INVENT.
Steve Orr Director
We lead, we do not follow. Let’s make this happen, together.
We are Steve Orr Director
Trudy Parry Special Events & Programme Co-ordinator
Peter Edgar 25k Awards
Co-Founders Wanted! Frontiers in Science & Technology Innovation Founder AWARD
John Knapton SPRINGBOARD Director
Claire Burgoyne
Generation Innovation
Frameworks VC Forum NI Knowledge Economy Index
US–NI Mentorship Programme
Leadership Board Chris Horn, NISP CONNECT
Gavin Campbell, Bombardier
Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell
Steve Orr, NISP CONNECT
Alec McRitchie, Bombardier
Chris Guy, Mills Selig
Norman Apsley, NISP
Alan Taylor, Arthur Cox
Scott Rutherford, QUB
Philip Maguire, NISP
Kevin Kingston, Danske Bank
Frank Bryan, QUBIS
Joel Ferguson, AFBI
Rory Clarke, Danske Bank
Tony Gallagher, QUB
Tim Brundle, Ulster Innovations
James Haughey, Norbrook Labs
Julie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland
Hugh McKenna, University of Ulster
Hugh Cormican, Cirdan Imaging
Alan Watts, Halo [7]
membership
2013/14
membership Together we can grow the knowledge economy. The following organisations are making a big contribution to the realisation of our 2030 Vision, by being members of NISP CONNECT.
Platinum £10k
GOLD £5k
SILVER £2k
membership
IG
K n a th ou yfrom us! AB
Our team mobilises an army of smart people to volunteer their time in delivering our programmes. Each programme is tailored to support a different stage in the entrepreneurial journey but they share one key activity: connecting the most
talented people with the most experienced.
incredible T has created an EC N N O C P IS N epreneur first, portunity to eds of the entr ide a unique op ne ov e pr th g ey in Th tt d. pu people in Irelan “Always l and business ps in Northern tu ca ni ar st ch te gy d lo ce no en ch owledge and group of experi resource for te a brilliant peer ny where this kn pa om fr m n co ar ur le yo d of collaborate an time in the life vironment at a en e tiv or pp su s. cces � a safe and ur chances of su yo e ov pr -in-Residence im ly ge Entrepreneur T EC N N guidance can hu O C P IS batech and a N Founder of Ban , m ha ng ni un Ronan C
PROGRAMMES
Pro gram mes
Springb
PROGRAMMES
Tough Love for Startups John Knapton, SPRINGBOARD Director John Knapton has assumed the role of SPRINGBOARD Director as of April 2014, taking responsibility for making SPRINGBOARD the flagship programme in Northern Ireland, for the commercialisation of innovation. At the end of March, John spent a week in San Diego working with the founders of CONNECT, in order to maximise the value provided by the programme in Northern Ireland. John has already made some significant changes to the process to maximise both throughput and quality of participants, and to deliver on the “6.5 times more likely to succeed” established programme outcome metric. The number of EiRs supporting the programme has also increased from 23 last year to a current total of 30, with further substantial expansion planned. The number of new applicants in the last two months demonstrates a very positive outlook.
PROGRAMMES
10
10 companies graduated from SPRINGBOARD this year, a further increase on the previous year. It is worth reviewing progress to date since the start of the programme 2½ years ago:
ies n a p com uateD Grad
23 graduates to date
85 applications
15 in process
>70
>£4M
invested
new jobs directly created
>400
jobs supported* *Including multiplier effect
revised programme’s USPs have been identified as follows: 1. Proven to deliver internationally over 20 years.
2. Content specifically tailored to address identified “gaps” within each applicant company.
3. Expeditious, in-business format minimises disruption.
4. Network of global resources available on demand through SPRINGBOARD+.
5. Develops sound commercialisation strategy and tactics.
6. Diversity of competency (EiRs, experts).
7. Follow-on “Capital Competition” nurtures funding of working capital.
8. Provides real “investor-ready” companies.
9. 6.5x reduction of go-to-market risk.
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
board SPRINGBOARD also held its first Panel outside Belfast when Sensum presented to a Panel at Tech City in London in December. Together with a select number of international CONNECT programme managers, CONNECT San Diego is constructing SPRINGBOARD+, a global implementation of SPRINGBOARD that will leverage resources around the world, to the benefit of SPRINGBOARD participants. NISP CONNECT has been recognised as the English speaking, European beachhead for US companies looking to establish a European presence and an integral part of establishing SB+. This initiative will also provide tremendous breadth of experience to Northern Ireland companies seeking a share of the global market. John Knapton, SPRINGBOARD Director
Welcome to the team! John is a Chartered Director Ambassador and qualified executive coach, with over 25 years’ experience in sales, marketing and international business development, within the technology sector. His experience ranges from launching startups to managing growth within multi-national conglomerates. He has worked at board level with industry leaders and developed an international network, having lived, worked and travelled globally.
Having been on ECT stands for. N N O C ng hi yt lm in ever the flagship of RINGBOARD he ns SP ai e m th re ok D to R A on O SPRINGB home to , Meagan Blant rly days in 2011 she moved back ea n r he ou w e r te nc si la s onth the team rewell a few m e had to say fa w y dl sa t bu 2013 ways in touch. ts but she is al lo r he s is m e California. W on Meagan Blant
[11]
PROGRAMMES
Congratulations, SPRINGBOARD Graduates of 2013-14
Springboard
some of This Year’s Graduates Amelio Catherine O’Neil EiR: Ronan Cunningham
Novel engineered drainage solution.
Tablet-based maths tutor.
Wave energy generation.
Web-based creative media for music videos.
Sensum Gawain Morrison EiR: Ronan Cunningham, Stephen Houston
Andrew Walmsley, EiR Representative
Tom Griffiths, EiR Representative
Jennifer Ferguson, Arthur Cox Kerry McCorkell, Tughans
Rotor Diarmuid Moloney EiR: Eoin Lambkin
Alan Watts, Halo
Caroline McGoran, University of Ulster
Pure Marine Paul Brewster EiR: Andrew Walmsley
STEERING TEAM Des Speed, EiR Representative
Komodo Gerard McBreen EiR: Les Curran
Chris Guy, Mills Selig Dawn McKnight, Carson McDowell Ian Beatty, Danske Bank
Advertising analytics.
Aaron Stewart, PwC
mpanies. Its Springboard e establish or for young co at lit ci fa helped m t ea gr T is a strategy and it ss ne si bu “NISP CONNEC ng . I can say p a stro stor community SiSaf to develo ve ed in lp d he an e ss m ne m si progra is today.” ern Ireland’s bu not be where it ts within North ld ac ou nt w co f t Sa an Si rt T impo t NISP CONNEC tion that withou ta si he t ou ith w f der & CEO, SiSa e-Siebert, Foun ffi Sa e nn za Su
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
Wanted!
Co-Founders
Steering Team Brian Baird, Chairman Andrew Woods, Catagen Co-Founders Wanted! provides evening events every few months, each for a different industry sector. A handpicked audience of 55 potential co-founders saw pitches from founders of 21 new companies before mixing over beer and pizzas. Co-Founders Wanted! has developed into an essential component of a founder’s journey. One of the big challenges for startups is gathering the right team to build and launch a product, and Co-Founders Wanted! helps establish connections for founders. Over the year two founders were able to recruit teams through the programme.
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Stephen O’Kane, PwC Jason Johnston, Carson McDowell Michael Robinson, AFBI Karla Dooey, Arthur Cox Gabrielle McArdle, Bank of Ireland John Macrae, University of Ulster Vincent Farrelly, QUB
Sectors Covered:
TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING LIFE & HEALTH
Co-Founders Wanted! exists to help early-stage companies build strong founding teams. A big push is needed for more potential Co-Founders!
[13]
25k Aw
PROGRAMMES
The Search for the Nex BIG Thing In 2013, innovation’s biggest night was even bigger than ever, with over 500 attendees at the 25k Awards in Titanic Belfast. This celebration of tech entrepreneurship was the end of several months of competition from dozens of new product companies submitted by our FE institutions. In early 2014, following continuous growth and success, the 25k Awards was fully upgraded and reborn as:
Official sponsor
The new INVENT has a wider remit, now accepting applicants from outside the academic institutions, as well as greater prizes and advanced support for applicants. More at: http://invent2014.co
PROGRAMMES
e n n i w
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
2013
h 2013 xt £25rall ove r
Top Ten Finalists
wards k
“We were delighted to be the overall winners of the 2013 NISP CONNECT 25K Award, as this has really acted as a catalyst for the development of our company, ProAxsis. The resultant PR has enabled us to attract additional and substantive external investment, which will ensure company growth”. Dr Lorraine Martin, Founder of ProAxsis and Senior Lecturer in Molecular Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast
High Tech SPONSORED BY
Official sponsor
-ProAxsis Queen’s University Belfast
ProAxsis has created tests that would enable routine monitoring of patients with chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, either within the clinic or at home. ProAxsis developed small molecule, peptidebased inhibitors (Protease-Tags) that serve both as a means to trap active proteases and to provide a visual readout of their presence in biological samples, with applications to protease biomarker identification.
Category Winner -Eye-C-3D University of Ulster High resolution camera designed to picture the back of the eye in three dimensions, to deliver cost-effective imaging and telemedicine for eye disease.
-Xpress LF Queen’s University Belfast Producing a tyre pressure monitoring system that uses a smartphone as an activation tool in response to European legislative changes requiring all cars to be installed with TPMS.
-Nite Rider University of Ulster Accessory to enable motorcyclists to see further at night, with the aim of reducing the number of individuals killed or seriously injured on our roads.
[15]
25k Aw
PROGRAMMES
Bio Tech
SPONSORED BY
Clean Tech
SPONSORED BY
Category Winner + OVERALL WINNER -ProAxsis
Category Winner -AdFerTech
Queen’s University Belfast Developing a range of novel diagnostic tests that will enable routine monitoring of patients with chronic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, either within the clinic or at home.
Queen’s University Belfast Low cost, bolt-on device for anaerobic digestion plants whereby nutrients contained within the waste are concentrated and processed to form organic granular fertiliser.
-Jenarron Therapeutics
-Inkintelligent
University of Ulster Novel hydrogel drug delivery product that, when applied to an open wound or laceration, results in painless suturing with improved clinical outcomes and a superior patient experience.
Queen’s University Belfast Several patented inks that change colour rapidly when deposited onto a self-cleaning surface using, say, a marker pen. These are ideal for marketing and quality control of self-cleaning materials.
-Digitease University of Ulster Rheumatoid arthritis care and treatment for the hand through an intelligent wearable data glove system that quantifies finger joint stiffness and range of movement.
digital media & software Category WinneR -Liopa Queen’s University Belfast Bringing a novel mobile biometric speaker verification solution to market that can verify user identity by analysing their viseme profile, a unique biometric characteristic that can help prevent theft and identity fraud.
PROGRAMMES
SPONSORED BY
-Columbus Queen’s University Belfast Real-time personal travel assistant that provides public transport users with dynamic, up-to-the-minute information about their travel plans using powerful new mathematics and network analysis.
STEERING TEAM
Previous Winners
Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech
2012 – MOF Technologies
Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell
2010 – LenisAer
Neil Buchanan, Flish
2009 – Tactility Factory
Paul Donachy, QUB
2008 – Affyon Networks (Titan IC Systems)
Jennifer Cook, University of Ulster
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
2013 Top TWELVE Finalists
wards 2011 – Flish
2007 – SOPHIA
Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Adrian O’Connell, Tughans David Brownlee, HSC Michael Robinson, AFBI Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox Niamh Griffin, Bank of Ireland
. It really ding experience ar w re d an g an exhilaratin e winning the k Awards to be technology. Sinc r ou r fo t ke We found the 25 ar gress d the m obile World Con our offering an M on at s a cu op fo Li d us se helped gory we showca ital Media cate ig D d ment an e ar w en Soft mercial gage m co st fir r ou orking on anager, CSIT and are now w l Marketing M ca ni ch Te d an Liopa Co-Founder of David Crozier,
[17]
PROGRAMMES
Frameworks STEERING TEAM Adrian O’Connell, Tughans Henry Cleary, Bank of Ireland David Croft, Danske Bank Chris Guy, Mills Selig
The Frameworks education series was as popular as ever. The programme provides free morning seminars for entrepreneurs and “wantrepreneurs” to learn business practice and hear war stories directly from the veterans. We will be bringing Frameworks on tour throughout NI in the coming year. 289 attendees at 16 Frameworks Events
Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox David Moore, QUBIS Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell
TechWatch
2013
289
s e e d n e att
Our members told us that not enough was being done to tell the world about the exciting new products being developed in Northern Ireland. To answer this challenge we launched TechWatch, a new online channel that provides a showcase of our hottest ventures and the entrepreneurs behind them. Since launch in September 2013, 22 companies were profiled in the first few months of TechWatch, which received over 35,000 hits online.
US-NI Mentorship (Affiliate programme)
The programme continues well, with NISP CONNECT as a programme delivery partner alongside The American Ireland Funds. NISP CONNECT’s contribution is largely via the volunteer efforts of Joanne Stuart (Attrus). Participating companies include: Bank of America, Coca-Cola, KPMG, NYeC, Teneo, CIBC, HBO, Moet Hennessy, PwC, and UBS.
Steering Team Joanne Stuart, Attrus Founded by the Office of Declan Kelly Supported by the American Ireland Fund
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
Frameworks Calendar of Events 2013/2014 Topic
Panellists
Main Speaker
#ATtended
The VC Process
Stephen Houston, Sophia Drew O’Sullivan, InterTradeIreland
Alastair Keith & Ivan Waide, A&L Goodbody
8
Exits
Gary Hamilton, Omiino Aidan Langan, Enterprise Equity
Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox
13
Licensing
Matthew Forde, Forde Campbell Oliver Lennon, SpeechStorm Danny McCaughan, Kernel Capital
Rory Campbell, Forde Campbell
20
Art of the Term Sheet
Des Speed, PathXL Danny McCaughan, Kernel Capital
Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell
26
Crowdfunding
Alan Watts, Halo Chris McClelland, Brewbot
Luke Lang, CrowdCube
50
Entrepreneur + Equity = Growth
Michael Black, Intel Gawain Morrison, Sensum
Alan Watts, Halo
20
Stock Options
Bob McGowan-Smyth, Crescent Capital David Patterson, Sophia
Colin Piggott, PwC
13
IP: Tactics for Startups
Cherrie Stewart & Marie Walsh, Ansons
Cherrie Stewart & Marie Walsh, Ansons
20
Entrepreneur + Equity = Growth (CIDO)
Michael Black, Intel Danny Turley, Performa Sports
Alan Watts, Halo
15
Selling Abroad
Jonny McClintock, CSR Brian Cummings, Enterprise Equity
Henry Cleary, Bank of Ireland
10
SBRI masterclass (UU, Magee campus)
Lorraine Acheson, Acheson Consulting Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech
Pat Doyle, Invest NI
17
Strategic Alliances
Jim Shields Robert Grundy, Almac
Adrian O’Connell, Tughans
13
SBRI masterclass
Lorraine Acheson, Acheson Consulting Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech
Pat Doyle, Invest NI
21
How to Get Value from the Bank
Aidan Langan, Enterprise Equity Jeff Wylie, KANA
Niall Harkin, Danske Bank
15
The New Startup Model (partnered with CSIT for World Cyber Security Technology Research Summit)
Alex Van Someren, Amadeus Ventures Zach Tudor, SRI International Elisabetta Zaccaria Danny McCaughan, Kernel Capital
Jon Bradford, TechStars 14
The Greatest Problems waiting for Entrepreneurs to Solve (partnered with CSIT for World Cyber Security Technology Research Summit)
Martin Borrett, IBM Jon Bradford, TechStars
Andrew Tyrer, Technology Strategy Board
14
[19]
PROGRAMMES
Steering Team
VC FORUM
Vicky Dummigan, Tughans Bob McGowan-Smyth, Crescent Capital Brian McKimm, KPMG
VC Forum was created to build relationships with institutional venture capital investors outside of Northern Ireland and, together with local venture capitalists, showcase Northern Irish companies looking to raise A, B or C rounds of investment of between £500K and £5M. With a dealflow pipeline of predominantly seed-stage companies in Northern Ireland, it was decided to “park” the VC Forum programme until the pipeline of companies in NI matures further. NISP CONNECT still facilitates bespoke visits of venture capital investors in Northern Ireland on an as-and-when basis.
Caroline McGoran, University of Ulster Chris Guy, Mills Selig Denis Murphy, Anaeko Drew O'Sullivan, InterTradeIreland Frank Bryan, Queen’s University Belfast Ian Beatty, Danske Bank Jennifer Ferguson, Arthur Cox Mark Cunningham, Bank of Ireland Neasa Quigley, Carson Mcdowell
Frontiers in Science & Technology The Frontiers in Science & Technology lunchtime lectures series entered its second year in 2013-14. Each event saw one of NI’s three primary further education institutions put forward a speaker to present on groundbreaking, world-class research. The quality and significance of the content allowed us to draw a first-rate influential audience of business leaders, academics and public servants. We created Frontiers to answer a need for greater promotion of our best research, and the star researchers leading it. With recent expansions of some of the universities’ activities in this area, the programme has now been adapted to focus on the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute.
Steering Team
Enterprise Forum
Paschal McCloskey, Queen’s University Belfast
lunchtime lectureS Smart Vaccines: Revolutionising Drug Delivery in Animal Health Dr Michael Welsh, Head of the Virology Branch and Fish Disease Unit of the Veterinary Sciences Division at the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute 3D Composite Weaving: Creating Fabrics and Shapes Stronger than Metal, Lighter than Gossamer Axis Composites, a University of Ulster spin-out iGrass 2.0 (high-strength polymer composites made from plant material) Prof Shekhar Sharma, Head of the Plant Health and Environmental Protection Branch at the Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute
John MacRae, University of Ulster Margaret Patterson, AFBI David Lyness, Carson McDowell
This event series educates entrepreneurs in an informative and entertaining environment in front of a diverse audience of Northern Ireland’s business leaders and technologists, as well as capital and service providers. Enterprise Forum provides access to world-class market intelligence and a distinctive perspective on today’s most challenging business issues facing startups, by producing forums and case study presentations featuring Northern Ireland’s most exciting, emerging growth technology companies. Enterprise Forum creates an opportunity for science and technology sector leaders across all industries to connect in a relaxed and inspiring setting.
Steering Team
Eddie Friel, University of Ulster
Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell
Richard Fulton, Mills Selig
Neil Hendron, Arthur Cox Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Niall Devlin, Bank of Ireland
Special Events IBM SmartCamp Programme Launch Intelligent Energy Systems NISP CONNECT Stakeholder Lunch Media Tech Cluster Forum Andy Hopper VIP Visit Open Data Institute & National Archives Discussion on Open Data
Official sponsor
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
Innovation Founder of the Year
SPONSORED BY
The Innovation Founder of the Year Award goes to a company founder in Northern Ireland who has made an exceptional impact on the world. We want to recognise these heroes of innovation. The 2013-14 Innovation Founder of the Year Award Winner is
Peter Fitzgerald Managing Director of Randox Laboratories Ltd, one of the fastest growing diagnostic companies in the world. Dr FitzGerald was working in the research department of Queen’s University Belfast when his passion for science and his observation of the ‘brain drain’ of young talented scientists prompted him to set up a local manufacturing facility for diagnostic products. Starting in 1982 with six people, including three family members, he has grown the business to employ over 1,200 staff across headquarters in Northern Ireland and in Randox offices distributed worldwide. The focus has been on the development of better, more sensitive tests for existing diagnostic parameters, and keeping abreast of new trends and developments by devoting 30% of the company’s revenue to research.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2012
Tom Eakin
2011
Dr Hugh Cormican
2010
Prof John Anderson
Each year the previous honourees review nominations and select the ‘Innovation Founder’ recognising a person who has achieved distinction in founding, leading or building a Northern Irish life sciences or technology-based business and has contributed to our region to build and shape our local economy and significantly improve our quality of life. [21]
membership
NI Knowledge Economy Index It’s not enough to have a shared vision for the transformation of Northern Ireland’s economy by 2030. We need to set specific targets and we need to know how well the region is performing each year. We worked with leading research consultancies and over 170 local stakeholders to achieve this. The result is the NI Knowledge Economy Index (“KEI”).
Steering Team Scott Rutherford Queen’s University Belfast Tim Brundle, University of Ulster
The annual KEI Report tracks the health of the Northern Ireland innovation economy by comparing data year-on-year and against other regions, and monitoring availability of capital. The data helps policymakers and trade organisations plan and advocate effectively for sufficient workforce housing, transportation solutions, zoning and availability of resources. The Report also serves as a recruiting and retention tool, demonstrating to research, leadership and management talent from around the world that Northern Ireland is a leading centre for innovation. And guess what this year’s said? Things are better than we thought they were!
Richard Fulton (Mills Selig) Alan Bissett, Arthur Cox Gillian Breakey, Bank of Ireland Michael McCormack, BT Norman Apsley, Northern Ireland
Knowledge Economy Index TargetS
Science Park
2030 Aspirational trajectory
£730M £34M £600M
64,230
£21M
57,500
60,980
3,920
41,030
320
£1.05 Billion Total Spend on R&D £90 Million VEnture Capital invested annually
2,940 260
71,250 Science & Technology Grads 71,250 Knowledge Economy Total Employees 7,000 Innovation businesses 500 new innovation startup companies required annually
Baseline 2009 membership
Most Recent Data 2011
2015
2020
Aspirational Trajectory
2030
Innovation
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
Generation If we are to develop a thriving economy as a legacy for future generations, we need to help build our future leaders today. Generation Innovation seeks a yearly intake of the region’s 16-17 year-olds with the highest potential in the new economy. Each year’s new batch is welcomed at a major evening event, where we aim to inspire them with a big headline star from the tech world. This year was a real coup. Tyrone-born Sarah Friar, CFO of Square, was livestreamed from California in front of 120 Generation Innovation alumni. She was joined by a surprise guest, her boss Jack Dorsey – co-founder of Twitter and Square.
Steering Team Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox
Generation Innovation alumni are becoming an integral part of the NISP CONNECT community, regularly attending our events and contributing to the development of our future direction. Vital to the success of the programme are the dozens of schools who nominate and support their students each year – thank you one and all! Also each year we ask a leading NI production company to take the baton and create a video that helps to inspire people to the Generation Innovation cause. This year Flickerpix & Waddell Media generously contributed.
Bill Connor, Sentinus Liguori Dobbin, Bank of Ireland Carol Fitzsimons, YENI Tony Gallagher, QUB Michael Ievers, Stranmillis University College John McGuckian, Tughans Rebekah Nevin, Carson McDowell Joanne Stuart, Attrus Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig
Supported by:
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A Huge Th
DIRECTORY
Stakeholders
Alan Watts, Halo Ann McGregor, NI Chamber of Commerce Bill Connor, Sentinus Brendan McGoran, Belfast City Council Brian Hunter, CIDO Bryan Keating, MATRIX Carol Fitzsimons, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland Caroline McGoran, University of Ulster Ciaran McGarrity, DETI Ciaran Sheehan, Clarendon Executive Denise Murtagh, Queen’s University Belfast Derek Hanway, Schools Employers Connections Eoin McFadden, DETI Grainne McVeigh, Northern Irish Connections Grainne Lennon, InterTradeIreland Ian Jeffers, Prince’s Trust Ivor Gibson, Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust Jayne Brady, Kernel Capital John Miller, Invest NI John Andy Bonar, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) Jonathan Wallace, University of Ulster Karen Orme, South Eastern Regional College Kirsty McManus, CBI Leslie Orr, ADS Linda Brown, IOD Liz Conlon, Institute of Physics Ireland Mark Nagurski, CultureTECH Mary Trainor-Nagele, Arts & Business NI
DIRECTORY
Mary Walshok, San Diego CONNECT Michael Bell, N. I Food & Drink Association Michael Noble, Momentum NI Nicholas O’Shiel, Omagh Enterprise Company Ltd Nigel Smyth, CBI Pat Doyle, Invest NI Patsy Donaghy, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) Paul Clancy, Halo Paul Beaney, University of Ulster Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness NI Richard Williams, Northern Ireland Screen Rob McConnell, SQS Roger Pollen, Federation of Small Business Roseann Kelly, Women in Business NI Scott King, NIACE Sheree Atcheson, Women Who Code Belfast Shirley McCay, Belfast City Council Sinead McLaughlin, The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce Stephen Wray, Queen’s University Belfast
Featured on TechWatch
Write to Read Vaccine Tabs Sixty-5 Beacon Phlok See.Sense. Briefed Get Together InkIntelligent Anaeko Rotor Patchblocks Lewis Fertility Tactility Factory Sian’s Plan Sophia Commander Securities
SiSaf GoReport Performa Sports Proofpoint Essentials Taggled Analytics Engines Learning Pool Sensum Microsense MOF Technologies Komodo DisplayNote Titan IC Systems
SPRINGBOARD Entrepreneurs-inResidence (EiRs)*
Andrew Walmsley, Director, Easons Sinclair Stockman, CIO, BT Des Speed, CEO, Lagan Technologies Denis Murphy, CEO, Anaeko JG Doherty, CEO, Amphion Les Curran, CEO, Kelsius Dick Milliken, CFO, Almac Michael O’Neill, COO, First Derivatives Gareth Dunlop, CEO, Tibus Steven Gunning, CEO, Tomcat Roger Johnson, VP, BD Meridio Alan Watts, Founder, Yelo Jude Lynch, COO, O2 Ireland Clare Passmore, CTO, Galen Brian Baird, CEO, Meridio Brendan Colgan, CEO, ESAB Karl Mulligan, VP, Almac Diagnostics Michael Black, MD BCO CFO, Blue Chip Paula Glossop, CEO, Sentry IT Darren Craig, CEO, IVM Europe Michael Keltai, MD, Nokia Networks, Brazil Eoin Lambkin, Owner, Groupe-Intellex
Ronan Cunningham, Founder, Banbatech Aislinn Rice, Sales Director, Andor Technology Stuart Harvey, Founder, Harco Technology
Domain Experts Investment/Funding Neil Simms, Clarendon Fund Managers Danny McCaughan, Kernel Capital David McCurley, WhiteRock Capital Colin Walsh, Crescent Capital Deirdre Terrins, Crescent Capital Boyd Carson, Sapphire Capital Partners Bob McGowan-Smyth, Crescent Capital Caroline McGoran, University of Ulster Vicky Dummingan, Tughans Hal Wilson, Fastnet Ventures Alan Watts, Halo Simon McMullen, KPMG Product Development Roberto Fagnani, Biotechnology Business Solutions Moira Burke, Burke Business Solutions Ltd Joseph Donoghue, Leardon Solutions Tim Harrison, Almac Discovery Paul Millar, Horizon Two Six Ltd Aubrey Sayers, Altos Solutions Corporate Finance Paul Currid, Keenan Corporate Finance Craig Holmes, Horwood & Holmes Corporate Finance Angela Reavey, Capaxo Ltd Gary Shannon, BDO Paul Hollway, KPMG
Graham Stewart, PwC Keith Jess, Ernst & Young Noel Culbert, PwC Alan Taylor, Arthur Cox Richard Graham, RG & Co Legal & Regulatory Dawn McKnight, Carson McDowell Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Chris Guy, Mills Selig Kerry McCorkell, Tughans Marie Walsh, Ansons Bob Beckham, Beckhams IP (Defence) Alan Bissett, Arthur Cox (Cleantech & Renewables) John McGuckian, Tughans Marketing Norbert Sagnard, Sagnard Associates Barry Hagan, Barry Hagan Associates Teresa O’Loughlin, think6 Paul Harding, Meltem Export Siobhan Gallagher, Shout! Stephen Jemphrey, J I Consulting Julie Taylor, Integrity NI
Generation Innovation: Attending Tech Founders Aaron Taylor, Co-founder & CEO, GoPrezzo Brian Baird, Director, Replify Clare Passmore, Founder, Attune Womenswear David Patterson, CEO, Sophia
*Job titles are often previous positions held, as many EiRs are giving back to the community after leaving prominent jobs
hanks To Denis Murphy, CEO, Anaeko Diarmuid Moloney, Founder, Rotor Gareth Dunlop, CEO, Fathom Gawain Morrison, CEO & Co-founder, Sensum Gerard McBreen, Co-founder, Komodomath. com Greg Maguire, Co-founder & CEO, Inlifesize Hugh Cormican, CEO, Cirdan Imaging Ian Scott, Founder, Taggled Jonny Campbell, Creative Lead, Brewbot Kevin Logue, Managing Director, Uproar Comics Kevin McGrath, Co-founder, Beacon Kyle Gawley, CEO, Get Invited Lorraine Martin, CEO, ProAxsis Luke McNeice, Technical consultant, Kainos Mal Duffin, Owner, CanDo 3D Mary McCall, Founder & MD, Treat Ticket Oliver Lennon, CEO, Speech Storm Patricia O’Hagan, CEO, Core Systems Paul Brewster, CTO, Pure Marine Ronan Cunningham, Founder, Banbatech Rory O’Connor, Director, The Creativity Hub Ruth Morrow, Co-founder, Tactility Factory Sebastian Heinz, Mindflood Sheena Lewis, CEO, Lewis Fertility Testing Steve Brankin, CEO, Asidua Stevie Morrow, CEO, WorldDesk Tom Griffiths, Founder, The Acorn Incubator
Trish Belford, Co-founder, Tactility Factory Vincent Breslin, Co-founder, Siansplan William Barr, Director, Billygoat Entertainment
Participating Schools
Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Belfast Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch Antrim Grammar School Ballyclare High School Ballyclare Secondary School Ballymena Academy Banbridge Academy Bangor Academy Belfast High School Belfast Model School For Girls Belfast Royal Academy Brownlow Integrated College, Craigavon Cambridge House Grammar School, Ballymena Campbell College, Belfast Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh Coleraine High School Collegiate Grammar School, Enniskillen Crumlin Integrated College Dalriada School, Ballymoney De La Salle College, Belfast De La Salle High School, Downpatrick Dominican College, Belfast Down High School, Downpatrick Edmund Rice College, Newtownabbey Fort Hill College, Lisburn Friends’ School, Lisburn Glenlola Collegiate School, Bangor Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast Hazelwood Integrated College, Newtownabbey
Hunterhouse College, Belfast Lagan College, Belfast Larne Grammar School Laurelhill Community College, Lisburn Limavady Grammar School Lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavon Lisneal College, Derry~Londonderry Malone Integrated College, Belfast Markethill High School Methodist College, Belfast Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen New-Bridge Integrated College, Banbridge Newtownbreda High School, Belfast Northern Regional College Omagh Academy Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry Portadown College Portora Royal School, Enniskillen Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt Rathmore Grammar School, Belfast Regent House School, Newtownards Sacred Heart College, Omagh St Brigid’s College, Derry~Londonderry St Catherine’s College, Armagh St Cecilia’s College, Derry~Londonderry St Colman’s High School, Ballynahinch St Columb’s College, Derry~Londonderry St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen St Killian’s College, Ballymena St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena
St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel St Malachy’s College, Belfast St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Belfast St Mary’s High School, Lurgan St Mary’s High School, Limavady St Patrick’s Bilateral, CoEd College, Maghera St Patrick’s High School, Keady St Patrick’s High School, Lisburn St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle South Eastern Regional College Sperrin Integrated College, Magherafelt Strathearn School, Belfast Sullivan Upper School, Holywood The Royal Belfast Academical Institution The Royal School, Armagh Thornhill College, Derry~Londonderry Ulidia Integrated College, Carrickfergus Victoria College, Belfast Wallace High School, Lisburn Wellington College, Belfast
25k Awards Mentors
Aisleen Rice Eoin Lambkin Julie Taylor Chris Lomas Norman Apsley Andrew Walmsley Brendan Mooney Jude Lynch Michael Keltai Aidan Langan Ian McCann Stephen Simpson Tristan Brittain Dissont Colin Walsh Brian Cummings
Ann-Marie Slavin Gary Hamilton Hal Wilson
Judging Panel Bryan Keating, MATRIX Ciaran McGivern, Bank of Ireland Caolan Small, Dow Jonathan White, Ansons Daniel Crowley, VC Jim McIlroy, Actavis Michael Crossey, Intel
Enterprise Forum Panellists
Rory Caren, IBM Andy Hopper, Prof of Computer Technology & Head of the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratory Mervyn Middleby, BBC Northern Ireland Mark Taylor, BBC Northern Ireland Shane Fitzpatrick, BBC Richard Stirling, Open Data Institute Carol Tullo, The National Archives Eoin McFadden, DETI Stephen Sloan, Momentum NI Ben Greene, SAP
Innovation Founder of the Year Judging Panel
Ciaran McGivern, Bank of Ireland Dr Hugh Cormican, Innovation Founder of the Year 2011/12 Tom Eakin, Innovation Founder of the Year 2012/13 Norman Apsley, NISP
[25]
NISP TRUST
In order to support the region’s economic development more fully, we are driving towards financial independence. This will allow us greater freedom of action and voice, and more alignment with the private sector entrepreneurs we strive to serve. The recently established NISP Trust is a platform for philanthropic support to aid Northern Ireland’s growth into a thriving knowledge economy.
We’re
Some of the fantastic private sector entrepreneurs we strive to serve. Photo corteousy of: Suki Dhanda // www.sukidhanda.com // Observer Tech Monthly
FUNDING
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
Membership
133,195
126,000
125,000
Sponsorship
74,820
78,142
65,937
NISP / NISP Trust
23,000
0
0
Grant (DETI)
174,902
208,837
216,536
Total Income
405,917
412,979
407,473
COSTS
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
Programme costs
116,070
121,410
119,400
Other costs
71,413
60,141
71,537
Salaries
218,434
224,064
216,536
Total Costs
405,917
405,615
407,473
Surplus / Deficit
0
7,364
0
NISPCONNECT Annual Report 2013/14 Catalysing Innovation
Financials
NISP CONNECT Income & Expenditure for three years to year ending 31/03/14 (all figures in ÂŁ)
winning... Belfast WAS RECENTLY featured in The Observer as a leading UK startup city, with NISP cited as a key asset. WANT TO KNOW MORE? +44 (0) 28 9073 7800 www.nispconnect.org
@nispconnect [27]
Enquiries to: Trudy Parry
Special Events and Programme Co-ordinator, NISP CONNECT
trudy.parry@nispconnect.org +44 (0) 28 9073 7800 The Innovation Centre Northern Ireland Science Park Queen’s Road Queen’s Island Belfast BT3 9DT More at: www.nispconnect.org
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 knowledgebased 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 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.
Based at:
@nispconnect +44 (0) 28 9073 7800 www.nispconnect.org
NISP CONNECT is proudly part-funded by the European Regional Development fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2007-2013
European Union
European Regional Development Fund Investing in your future