€6m Secured For Technology Gateway Network Programme

More than €6 million in funding is to be allocated to 43 successful applicants to the Capital Equipment Fund by Enterprise Ireland's Technology Gateway Network Programme.

The Programme funds interactions between local and national industry and the Institutes of Technology and aims to increase the levels of interaction between the IoTs and industry in Ireland. The intended outcomes of the Programme include; more companies engaging in R&D, pilot manufacturing capability for new product/process development, enhanced technology validation and testing capabilities, testbed generation and enhanced training potential for key industry staff on emerging technologies.

The €6 million fund will assist in buying capital that relates to new technologies such as augmented and virtual reality.

The winners were selected through a rigorous evaluation process based on eligibility criteria for the call which included, but was not limited to, a strong track record of industry engagement, a significant industrial need for the new equipment, and space to service and maintain the equipment according to international standards.

Announcing the funding, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD said: "Our aim is to build on our strong enterprise ecosystem from across the wide spectrum of academia, research and business communities. This fund directly supports projects that are emerging from the ground up. The successful applicants announced today are housing research projects and initiatives that are at the cutting edge of innovation and I am confident that they have the potential to make a real and lasting impact on enterprise development at both a regional and national level."

She added: "Through Future Jobs Ireland, our whole-of-Government framework to prepare for the future economy, we want Ireland to become a leader in technology adoption. This Capital Equipment Fund will support Institutes of Technology and TU Dublin in buying equipment relating to new technologies and is another step towards realising this ambition."

Speaking about the announcement Mark Whelan, Technology Gateway Programme Manager at Enterprise Ireland said: "This funding allows our Technology Gateway the opportunity to purchase new technologies in areas such as augmented and virtual reality, mobile robotics and moulding. Successful applicants have a proven track record in industry engagement and the new equipment will assist in increasing their interaction with industry and add value to the SME sector in Ireland."

(MH/CM)