nisp connect annual report 2013

Annual Report April 2012 – March 2013

www.nispconnect.org

for Northern Ireland’s Entrepreneurial Knowledge EconomyCatalysing Innovation

INTRO

Contributed in Volunteer Hours & Member Fees for Under £250k Public Investment

event attendees

HRH The Duke of York KG visit & agreement to be Patron of Northern Ireland Science Park Trust

Early-Stage Ventures & Wantrepreneurs Engaged with NISP CONNECT Programmes

New programmes: Co-Founders Wanted! Frontiers in Science & Technology

2,000 467

£1m

ork KG to

thern ark Trust

Ea& WEnCO

Ne CoFrTec

Thank YouChris Horn appointed Chair

stakeholders assisted in developing Knowledge Economy plans

170+

&

2 NISP CONNECT > CATALYSING INNOVATION

volunteer hours contributed (48% increase over 2011 in value)

out of 5 event average quality rating

440 companies / entrepreneurs served

event attendees

386 NISP CONNECT > CATALYSING INNOVATION 3

“It is a very exciting time for the technologysector in Northern Ireland and I want to help. Iwant to be there to celebrate NorthernIreland’s high-tech successes. There are alreadygreat examples and there will be more. Youneed to celebrate success because you have toget the message out to inspire younger people:we need to build heroes in Northern Ireland.”

“Creating an environment where entrepreneursare encouraged to build companies, exit andthen reinvest their time and finances into newcompanies, is crucial to growing a vibrant techsector.”

Chris Horn, Chair


“I love the buzz of coming to work every day.I‘m very fortunate to work in the service of somany talented entrepreneurs and innovatorswhose ideas and products now rival any region,anywhere. With the commitment of so manypeople and organisations, Northern Ireland’ssupportive entrepreneurial eco-system keepsgetting stronger but the challenges faced byour entrepreneurs do not diminish. We willalways need our most experienced and mostconnected people to help our entrepreneurs tomake their first sale, find talent, raise capital orfigure out the best way to commercialise theirtechnology. I am proud of Northern Ireland’sculture of collaboration and welcome anyoneelse who wants to put their shoulder to thewheel, or their hand in their pocket, to help.Please join us.”

Steve Orr, Director


AboutNISP CONNECT

NISP CONNECT is an independent, non-profit organisationthat supports the development of innovative technologiesand early-stage companies through a series of educationalseminars, mentorship programmes, capital competitions,and public policy advocacy. The programmes are driven bythe findings of the Northern Ireland Knowledge EconomyIndex (“KEI”) and are guided by the pro bono contributionsof experienced entrepreneurs and executives.

NISP CONNECT accelerates the growth of knowledge-basedcompanies by acting as an honest, neutral broker and aimsto catalyse the commercialisation of world-class researchand intellectual property. A joint effort between NorthernIreland’s academic research base, the University of Ulster,Queen’s University Belfast, the Agri-Food and BiosciencesInstitute, and Northern Ireland’s private sector, the NISPCONNECT programmes are designed to facilitate a cultureof collaboration between the region’s highest quality scienceand technology entrepreneurs, research institutions,professional services providers and investors.

Leadership Board

Chris Horn, NISP CONNECTNorman Apsley, Northern Ireland Science ParkTim Brundle, Ulster InnovationsFrank Bryan, QUBISGavin Campbell, BombardierRory Clarke, Danske BankHugh Cormican, Cirdan ImagingJoel Ferguson, AFBITony Gallagher, Queen's University BelfastChris Guy, Mills SeligJames Haughey, Norbrook LaboratoriesKevin Kingston, Danske BankPhilip Maguire, Northern Ireland Science ParkPaul McBride, Pinsent MasonsHugh McKenna, University of UlsterAlec McRitchie, BombardierJulie-Ann O'Hare, Bank of IrelandNeasa Quigley, Carson McDowellScott Rutherford, Queen's University BelfastAlan Taylor, Arthur Cox


Our Process: TheKnowledgeEconomy IndexOxford Economics has worked with us as an independentconsultant since 2011 measuring the health of Northern Ireland’sKnowledge Economy today, and looking to what must be achievedin future. But it was the community that mobilised to crowdsourcea robust plan of action. Over 170 knowledge economystakeholders gave their time to a series of structured workshops, tochart the route to success by 2030. Targets

BLOCKERS

solutions

VISION

Together, We Agreed:

defined for the next 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.

collective consent to our 20-year ambition.

identification of the three biggest things holding us back.

prioritisation of activities to overcome the blockers, now.

“ A large group of diverse individuals willcome up with better and more robustforecasts and make more intelligentdecisions than even the most skilleddecision maker."

James Surowiecki, The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few


If the innovation community is to align indeveloping a world-class knowledgeeconomy, we need a clear plan and a way tomeasure progress.

Over 170 of Northern Ireland’s KnowledgeEconomy key stakeholders (entrepreneurs,executives, investors, academic research leadersand professional services firms) gave their timein discussing the key public policy interventionsand business community actions that musthappen now to address the three biggestblockers holding back Northern Ireland’stransformation:

– Culture– Talent– Risk Capital

The actions were crowdsourced from theseinnovation community stakeholders, through aseries of seminars and workshops, over severalmonths, facilitated by Michael McCormack,Head of Business Improvement – Ireland, BT.

In addition, NISP CONNECT, in association withOxford Economics, adapted CONNECT SanDiego's Innovation Report for Northern Ireland.This resulted in the NI Knowledge EconomyIndex ("KEI"), which provides a set of indicatorsof the strength and impact of the KnowledgeEconomy in Northern Ireland versus other areas

in the UK orEuropedepending onthe indicator.

The NIKnowledgeEconomyIndex helpspolicymakersand tradeorganisationsplan andadvocateeffectively. Thereport alsoserves as arecruiting andretention tool, demonstrating to research,leadership and management talent from aroundthe world that Northern Ireland is a leadingcentre for innovation.

This year’s report quantified how little theneedle has moved towards our key KnowledgeEconomy targets, and highlighted the need forspecific actions. However, we are at an earlystage in the journey and there was some goodnews, including a slight increase in relevant jobs.

Publication of the NI Knowledge Economy Index2013 is expected in Nov 2013.

NI KnowledgeEconomy Index

Steering Team

Scott Rutherford, Queen’s University BelfastTim Brundle, Ulster InnovationsRichard Fulton, Mills SeligAlan Bissett, Arthur CoxGillian Breakey, Bank of IrelandMichael McCormack, BTNorman Apsley, NorthernIreland Science Park

KEI Requirements for NISP CONNECT:

Business community action: All NISPCONNECT programmes and activities are beingreviewed against the KEI targets and blockersand realigned to ensure the entrepreneurialsupport we facilitate is targeted directly at theoutcomes.

Public Policy: Over the past three months wehave been actively lobbying governmentministers, committees and key public officials onthe necessary public policy interventionsrequired to accelerate the success of indigenousstartup companies.


VisionWe believe…Northern Ireland can, andwill, become a leadingentrepreneurial knowledgeeconomy in Europe by 2030


Knowledge Economy Index Targetsindicator 2009 Actual 2030 Target

Venture Capital Invested (pa) £12M £90MM&A Deals (pa) 30 77Publicly-traded Companies 3 24R&D Spend £500M £1.05bnScience Graduates 57,300 71,250Innovation-based Startups Launched (pa) 200 500Innovation Businesses Operating (Total) 2,080 7,000R&D Employees 6,500 15,130

Targets for Northern Ireland across core Knowledge Economy indicators: what we must achieve for success.Source: Northern Ireland Knowledge Economy Index 2011, prepared by Oxford Economics for NISP CONNECT.


Risk Capital

talent Culture

blockers

The three biggest hurdles for the NI Knowledge Economy


solutionsRisk CapitalNI’s current model of risk capitalintervention is too small in scale andineffective in operation to achievethe 2030 Knowledge Economy Indexinvestment targets.

Talent– We need stronger management

teams to form and grow startupcompanies.

– There is a mismatch betweendemand required to growinnovative companies and supplyof key talent disciplines.

Culture– We need our kids to aspire to be

successful in the KnowledgeEconomy, not the professions.

– We must foster a culture wherebusinesses collaborate tocompete.


NISP CONNECT Programmes Mobilising the Community to Make Northern Ireland's Entrepreneurs More Successful

6 NNISP CONNECT > CATALYSING INNOVATION 13

Talent


SpringboardTough Love for StartupsAs they grow towards their goals of global success, our best entrepreneurs and their companiescan benefit greatly from being mentored and battle-hardened by experienced professionals in asafe and trusting environment. Springboard facilitates the rapid mobilisation of diversecompetencies to test and develop business models: do I have a product? Is there a market?How do I sell it, produce it?

The Springboard programme offers free assistance to life science and high-tech companies inall stages of development, to refine and validate the strategic foundations of the entrepreneur’sbusiness idea or company. Applicants meeting the programme criteria, from concept stageinventors and scientists to companies seeking funding, spend 8 to 12 weeks in coachingsessions with experienced Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs)* to help them develop theirbusiness model and/or commercialisation strategy. Ultimately Springboard culminates in apanel presentation, offering entrepreneurs feedback from seasoned industry veterans and toptier service providers.

*Entrepreneur-in-ResidenceA seasoned entrepreneur or executive with the experience to help others on the commercialjourney. Our EiRs give pro bono time to reviewing, guiding and challenging our most promisingventures and entrepreneurs.

Programme ManagerMeagan Blanton


2 0 1 3

Springboard

This Year’s Graduates

BRIEFEDEiR: Jude LynchBRIEFED is a case management system designed to helpbarristers spend less time doing paperwork, less time managingtheir practice, and more time arguing their cases. It is cloud-based practice management software, launched in November2012 and shortlisted for Best New Business 2012 by Belfast CityCouncil and Best R&D Project 2012 by UTV Business EyeAwards. BRIEFED was founded by Orlagh McGahan, a practisingBarrister of 10 years, looking to allow more time for casemanagement and minimising her admin.

Analytics EnginesEiR: JG DohertyAnalytics Engines specialises in high performance data analyticsand accelerated computing. Analytics Engines increasescustomer application performance and reduces cost ofownership. Their acceleration engines bring significantcommercial advantage to diverse industries performing complexanalytics or real-time processing on large data volumes, such asenterprise, insurance, medical, industrial and retail.

ExpelliereEiR: Jude LynchExpelliere was first established to address the global issue ofdiscarded chewing gum on the world’s streets and has fastbecome recognised as a leading innovator of next-generationtechnology in the development of cleaning, maintenance andwaste management products, systems, and services. Expelliere,with the support of the Department of Enterprise, Trade andInvestment, Queen’s University Belfast, Ionic Liquid Laboratoriesand Manchester University has developed an ionic solutionwhich allows a liquid to be applied to discarded pieces of gum.The liquid degrades the gum within seconds and can be washedaway immediately. The product’s ionic characteristics are notdetrimental to the environment.


I-Innovations EiR: Les CurranI-Innovations Ltd has developed MiCare Guardian, an intuitive taskmanagement platform linked with an innovative remote residentmonitoring system; designed to promote a high standard of care withinresidential and skilled nursing homes and encourage continence. Thesystem is currently undergoing beta testing at three local care homes.

Cleanfields TechnologiesEiR: Andrew WalmsleyCleanfields Technologies Ltd is a startup that has identified a number ofclean technology solutions for the treatment of waste and the recovery ofenergy from waste.

Their flagship project is the recovery of energy from wet biomass using aclean technology called Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO). Thisprocess is truly “sustainable” and is uniquely placed to be a key technologyfor the developing sustainable energy market and can truly be described asa technology that provides both bioenergy and carbon capture and storage(BE-CCS).

LifeScienceHubEiR: Karl MulliganLifeScienceHub (LSH) identifies late stage development technologies thathave commercial value and are no more than 18 months to two yearsfrom market that have faltered or do not have an obvious path forward.The LSH provides a range of services to meet the various needs throughtailor-made solutions with the overriding goal of creating wealth for thestakeholders.

Wound pHase, owned by LifeScienceHub, uses a novel hydrogel with acolorimetric pH sensitive response to determine the state of the woundand give an indication if the current treatment regimen is working or if itneeds to be modified. The end result will be a better managed wound andwill result in overall savings to the health system via better outcomes forthe patient.


AnaekoEiR: Brian BairdAnaeko is an IT Service Management(ITSM) software company with a focus onsolving the issues created as largeorganisations move to the cloud. Thecompany delivers tailored softwareproducts and solutions that help theseorganisations monitor and manage largeIT environments, particularly hybridenvironments that combine on-premise,private cloud and public cloud resources.

Tank CommanderEiR: Andrew WalmsleyCommander Securities Ltd has developedthe Tank Commander™, a proactive ITsecurity device that communicates bothvisual and audible staged alerts to deterintruders who are in the process ofattempting to commit a crime.Synchronised alerts of the presence andactions of an intruder and any damage tooil tanks are immediately forwarded viaSMS texts to the owners or theirmanagement. The company has markettested the static oil application and hasvalidated its pricing structure and marketdemand by domestic and commercialusers. A further development of thisproduct using the unique IP Technology isaimed at protecting mobile plant andmachinery in remote agricultural orcommercial locations.

“NISP CONNECT is changing the entrepreneurial landscape in Northern Ireland. It iswonderful to have the opportunity to be part of that evolution and actively engage withthe entrepreneurs providing mentoring advice and support. As members of NISPCONNECT we get a tremendous insight into the startup community in NI and get involvedin some great initiatives and meet some potentially great new businesses developing here,which will be vital to our future economy.”Kathryn Walls, Solicitor, Mills SeligNISP CONNECT Domain Expert


Smyson ShieldEiR: Sinclair StockmanIn response to an intractable health andsafety issue experienced by social housinglandlords (e.g. Northern Ireland HousingExecutive), Smyson Enterprises hasdeveloped an innovative, intelligent,electronic solution (The Smyson Shield) toallow social housing landlords to gain accessto their properties and manage their legalrequirement to service gas boilers annually.Currently the high level of no access andlack of service traceability puts the tenant atrisk of carbon monoxide poisoning and thelandlord at risk of corporate manslaughter.The landlord pursues a costly legal route toforce access.

The Smyson Shield will greatly reduce thelandlord’s cost of gaining access by placingthe onus on the tenant to ensure access andthereby allowing the landlord to fulfil hislegal obligation to carry out the annualservice. The solution empowers the tenant,protects both tenant and landlord whilstsaving time and money. The Smyson Shieldwill significantly reduce the risk of carbonmonoxide poisoning, appeasing the fears ofboth public and public housing authorities. Itwill automatically record service dates andengineers thereby ensuring traceability andassisting in the ‘Due Diligence’.

Steering Team

Alan Watts, Halo

Andrew Walmsley, EiR Representative

Sean Nelson, University of

Ulster(former)

Lynsey Malon, Arthur Cox

Kerry McCorkell, Tughans

Nancy Brown, Blueprint Appointments

Dawn McKnight, Carson McDowell

Ian Beatty, Danske Bank

Phil Patterson, QUBIS

Des Speed, EiR Representative

Chris Guy, Mills Selig

Ciaran McGivern, Bank of Ireland

Tim Harrison“There can be few things more satisfying than creating a culture and environment in whichtalented entrepreneurs can succeed, seeding society with role models and success stories.Business success is all about making the right connections, and the NISP CONNECTprogramme enables this through mentorship and access to networks, catalysed by a teamwho are passionate and make things happen.”Vice President, Medicinal Chemistry, Almac DiscoveryMcClay Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen’sUniversity BelfastNISP CONNECT Domain Expert


25k awards

Our research institutions consistently producesome of the highest-potential innovators and theirtechnologies, but often these do not make it out andonto the road to commercialisation. Thiscompetition aims to change that…

The Search for the Next BIG Thing

Principal Sponsor:

Sponsors:

Programme ManagerPeter Edgar


The 25k Awards is an annual competitionfor a share of £25,000 in prize money,showcasing the hottest innovations fromNorthern Ireland’s publicly-fundedresearch institutions. Over six months,competing teams are coached in how toturn their ideas into market-disruptingstartups. Teams present their refinedbusiness plans to an industry audienceand a panel of highly experienced judges.Competitors come from four productsectors: Hi-Tech, Bio-Tech, Clean-Tech, andDigital Media & Software.

The programme culminates in the keyevent in NI’s innovation calendar, the 25kAwards Gala Dinner in September. In2012, the event attracted 420 attendeesand was opened by Sir John Parker,President of the Royal Academy ofEngineering.

Hi-Tech Bio-Tech Clean-Tech DigitalMedia &Software

MOF Technologies and Principal Sponsor, Bank ofIreland, in the 2012 25k Awards


2012 Overall Winner

25k

MOF TechnologiesQueen’s University Belfast

“Winning the 25k Awards was a great boostfor MOF Technologies. In the followingweeks we were contacted by potentialcustomers from all over the world, who hadheard about our success in the competition.This is the kind of publicity that moneysimply can't buy. But just taking part in thecompetition was extremely valuable initself, by guiding us through the process ofdeveloping a business plan and honing apitch. I would recommend it to any youngcompany.”

Dr Tom Robinson, CEO, MOF Technologies


FireSERTTechnologiesUniversity of Ulster

FireSERT Technologies aims to provide superiorsafety, protection and security for people andassets, by offering an innovative Fire-BlastProtection system that is uniquely designed toprovide dual protection against blasts and fires ata tenth of the cost of conventional, competingsystems. The system can be used for military,industrial and civil applications and utilisesunique and novel “steel-like” behaving concretepanels which provide a superior “panelthickness/blast resistance” ratio as compared toexisting concrete panels, resulting in significantreduction of the panel thickness to resist blastforces.

ButeosQueen’s University Belfast

Buteos has designed and created a novel solutionto address the issues experienced when hitchinga trailer or caravan to a passenger vehicle. Thenovel tow bar and trailer hitching camera,‘Oculus’, which is mounted on the tow bar,allows the lone user to reverse up to a trailercompletely guided, accurately and safely, withoutcausing damage to the car bumper andpreventing injury to the user in pulling the heavytrailer closer to the car.

IdentiGaitUniversity of Ulster

IdentiGait is a patent-pending software solutionfor non-invasive identification of individualsusing gait biometrics. Gait identification is anemerging biometric surveillance data solutionused for identification of individuals from CCTVfootage, with applications in high-security civilianor military facilities and monitoring potentialsuspects of crime or terrorism. The HomelandSecurity Research Corporation released a reportin 2011 predicting that the global installed baseof more than 45 million CCTV surveillancesystems will drive a fusion of CCTV withbiometrics and human behavioural signatures,creating a new security market of CCTV-basedremote biometric and behavioural suspectdetection, growing from a value of $0.6bn in2010 to $3.2bn in 2016.

Hi-Techcategory sponsor

Category winner

B i o t e c h

25k

2012 Top Ten Finalists


Expelliere InternationalQueen’s University Belfast

Expelliere International Ltd, with the support of the Department forEnterprise, Trade and Investment, Queen’s University Belfast, IonicLiquid Laboratories and Manchester University have developed anionic solution which allows a liquid to be applied to discardedpieces of gum. The liquid degrades the gum within minutes and canbe washed away within seconds. The product’s ionic characteristicsare not detrimental to the environment.

GIP TherapeuticsUniversity of Ulster

GIP Therapeutics has developed a novel peptide therapeutic aimedat treating the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease. Thecompany’s patented lead compound has achieved proof-of-conceptin a transgenic mouse model for Alzheimer’s disease and has shownimpressive neuroprotective effects. There is currently no cure forAlzheimer’s disease and existing therapies offer only symptomatictreatment. GIP Therapeutics is positioned to offer patients adisease modifying approach, which not only has potential to treatthe disease by stopping its progression but also prevent it.

Category winner

B i o t e c h

25k

BIO-Techcategory sponsor


Clean-Techcategory sponsor

MOF TechnologiesQueen’s University Belfast

MOF Technologies is bringing a revolutionarynew class of materials to market. Metal OrganicFrameworks (MOFs) are highly porous materialsthat can store, separate and capture specificgases. They have a range of high-valueapplications, including natural gas storage invehicles, carbon capture, catalysis and drugdelivery. MOF Technologies has developed apatented technique for the synthesis of MOFs,which is environmentally friendly, rapid andhighly scalable, allowing cost-effective, large-scale deployment of these extraordinarymaterials.

Graphene InternationalUniversity of Ulster

Graphene International aims to produce highquality graphene nanosheets on an industrialscale using an innovative process that is simple,cost effective and environmentally friendly. Theaim of GI is to become the market leader in theprovision of an enabling ionic liquid-assistedgrinding process, for the Graphene and generaltwo dimensional nanomaterials value chain. Toachieve this, GI will provide bespoke solutions tomanufacturers in order to integrate graphene intheir devices. GI’s production is dedicatedtowards working in partnership with leadingcompanies to develop products and solutionsexploiting the novel characteristics of graphene.

Grass-NC-PolymerAgri-Food and Biosciences Institute /Queen’s University Belfast

Grass-NC-Polymer has developed anenvironmentally friendly master batch-additive,utilising grass nanocellulose, which can be usedby polymer companies for reinforcing polymerproducts, allowing reduction in the use ofsynthetic feedstock polymers. The polymerproducts reinforced with the additive will havebetter performance and a lower ecologicalfootprint compared to currently availableproducts. In addition to nanocellulose, the plantbiorefining process will generate other productse.g. biogas, protein and bioethanol.

Category winner

B i o t e c h

25k




Digital Media & Softwarecategory sponsor

The 6-month process really does helpinnovative companies get their ducks in a row,as well as challenging entrepreneurs to delivertheir best showcase. In addition to all theserious stuff, being a part of the awards processand around all the other enthusiasticentrepreneurs was a thoroughly enjoyableexperience. Would love to do it all over again!

John Kelly, MD, I-Innovations

Steering Team

Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech

Paul Donachy, Queen’s University Belfas

t

Jennifer Cook, University of Ulster

Michael Robinson, AFBI

Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell

Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox

David Brownlee, HSC Innovations

Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig

Neil Buchanan, ECIT

Adrian O'Connell, Tughans

Niamh Griffin, Bank of Ireland

25k

Flish

25k 25k

LenisAer

25k 25k

SOPHIA

25k25k

Tactilit y Factory

25k 25k

Affyon Networks

25k

PRevious Winners

I-InnovationsUniversity of Ulster

I-Innovations Ltd is developing a patentable, non-invasive sensor device that candetect incontinence within an adult diaper, and wirelessly communicate thatinformation to a smartphone or tablet. The device will provide help for busy carestaff, assurance for the relatives, and importantly improve the level of care forresidents, which will have great benefits for business owners trying to attract newresidents to their facilities. The company plans to incur year 5 revenue figures inexcess of £25m by distributing its product via global markets.

SaSSIUniversity of Ulster / Health and Social Care

SaSSI provides an innovative web-based, integrated mobile service solution for digital observationsat the patient bedside. It results in increased efficiency and responsiveness, increased compliance,avoids duplication of information, prevents the repeated collection of redundant information, aidsclinical decision-making, and provides management dashboards for full audit and operationalassessment. Most importantly SaSSI directly results in improved in-patient care.

Category winner

B i o t e c h

25k


NEW WANTED! Founder: enterprising andambitious innovator, with ahigh-potential product orprototype, seeks a team forglobal success.

Co-Founder: experienced in thechallenges of growing a techbusiness. Seeks a new venturewith big aspirations.

Steering Team

Brian Baird, Replify

Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig

Neil Hendron, Arthur Cox

Andrew Woods, Catagen

Co-FoundersWanted!Tech founders and inventors face a difficult and lonely path to building products,developing businesses around them, and selling into global markets, let alone theday-to-day running of the company. It takes time, effort and, crucially, trust torecruit a dream team to achieve this.

Co-Founders Wanted! is a new programme supporting the development of strongfounding teams for Northern Ireland’s most innovative startups. A carefullyselected group of experienced commercial executives and entrepreneurs is broughttogether with participating founders, to potentially join as co-founders of theirstartups. Co-Founders Wanted! is an evening event where founders and co-founders can feel comfortable to share ideas and develop relationships. Three annual events cover the topics Tech, Innovative Engineering and Bio-Tech.The first event (24 Jan 2012) was an encouraging success, with 28 potential Co-Founders (from an actual pool of 38) meeting ten Founders presenting theirproducts. New founding teams are forming – watch this space…


Frontiers in Science &TechnologyBy highlighting Northern Ireland’s biggest ideas, the region can be seen for its world-changing potential.The Frontiers in Science & Technology lecture series aims to enhance the dialogue between NorthernIreland’s business community and leading scientists, engineers and researchers by showcasinggroundbreaking work from the region’s research institutions. In the lectures, influential audiences arebrought in front of academics who are global leaders in their fields.

NEW

Nature’s Cruise Missiles: Can venom from snakes and frogs unlock a new era in pharmaceutical development?Prof. Chris Shaw & Ari Mello

Connected Health: Are we at the Tipping Point or Another False Dawn?Prof. Norman BlackIntroduction from Health Minister Edwin Poots

Smart Vaccines: Revolutionising Drug Delivery in Animal Health.Dr Michael Welsh

Steering Team

Norman Apsley,

Northern Ireland Sc

ience Park

John MacRae, Univer

sity of Ulster

Margaret Patterson

, AFBI

David Lyness, Carso

n McDowell

Karla Dooey, Arthur

Cox

Suzanne McNeill, Pin

sent Masons

Kathryn Walls, Mills

Selig

Niall Devlin, Bank o

f Ireland

Dennis Legge, Quee

n's University Belfas

t

Paschal McCloskey,

Queen's University

Belfast

28 NISP CONNECT> CATALYSING INNOVATION

FrameworksMany of today’s business founders and future entrepreneurs have scientific and technicalbackgrounds but have had limited experience in industry, so they often lack exposure to criticalinformation which is essential to leading a startup. To fill this gap, Frameworks workshops offercontent-rich, targeted, educational seminars that help young to mid-staged companies build abusiness around their promising science or technology. Subject expertise is provided byknowledgeable top tier professionals and industry veterans to facilitate the transfer of knowledgeand experience. Programme attendees gain valuable business vocabulary and tactical skills, andpresenters gain credibility with our future business leaders. The workshops attract people from awide range of disciplines including technology, communications, software, life sciences and businessservices. For those willing to develop their entrepreneurial skills, Frameworks offers an open door toan interactive and accessible curriculum.

attendees at six eventsattendees at six events

530 attendees at 16 Frameworks Even

ts300

Steering Team

David Moore,

Queen’s University Belfast

Eddie Friel, University of Ulster

Ian Beatty, Danske Bank




Adrian O'Connell, Tughans

Henry Cleary, Bank of Ireland

Seminars & Sponsors 2012/2013Topic Sponsors # Attended

Exits Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox 18VC Process Peter Stafford, A&L Goodbody 14Stock Options and War for Talent Christine Yuill, Pinsent Masons 17Govt Grants Angela Reavey, Capaxo 21Financing Options Craig Holmes, Horwood & Holmes Corporate Finance 26Art of the Term Sheet Neasa Quighley, Carson McDowell 23Licensing Rory Campbell, Forde Campbell 21Startup Accounting Caroline Keenan, ASM 15Patent Box Marie Walsh, Ansons 17Valuations Simon McMullen, KPMG 15Strategic Alliances Adrian O’Connell, Tughans 33Entrepreneur + Equity = Growth Alan Watts, Halo 21Crowdfunding Tom Davies, Seedrs 44Patent Box (Derry~Londonderry) Marie Walsh, Ansons 14Patent Box (Derry~Londonderry) Marie Walsh, Ansons 6R&D Tax Credits Tom Alexander & Damien Flanigan, KPMG 11


US-NI Mentorship(Affiliate programme)

Our young entrepreneurs deserve to get the value ofdynamic work and life experiences, helping them to growinto strong future leaders of industry.

US-NI Mentorship Program is a one-year planned workplacement for residents of Northern Ireland to work in a UScorporation in the United States. The programme is aimed atgraduates, selected for their scholastic achievement, businessexperience, leadership skill, and interest in obtaininginternational experience. Successful candidates gain valuableexperience in a corporate environment, developing theirbusiness skills and networks in a different country andculture. Ultimately, this is an opportunity for some of ourbest young people to enhance their contribution to NorthernIreland’s future prosperity.

Chaired by Joanne Stuart, AttrusFounded by the Office of Declan KellySupported by the American Ireland Fund


Risk Capital

6 NORTHERN IRELAND SCIENCE PARK > CATALYSING INNOVATION 31

VC ForumAn exclusive showcase of the region’s mostpromising startups, designed to address theirlack of access to capital. Selectedentrepreneurs had the opportunity to presentto a global group of premier venture capitalproviders actively funding investments. Twoexternal networking events were also held, inLondon and Dublin, to integrate with thewider investment community.

However, recently there has been a reductionin the number of companies applying thathave been ready to pitch to VCs. Theprogramme is now being developed toprovide year-round support tailored to a fewselect companies on their unique fundingjourneys.

To provide the best opportunities to our VC-ready companies, we need to mobilise thelocal finance community in recommendingcompanies or referring investmentprofessionals, and fund managers who couldserve as mentors and coaches.

Steering Team

Vicky Dummigan,

Tughans (2013)

Frank Bryan, QUBIS

Hilary Griffith, Pinsent Masons


Jennifer Ferguson, Arthur Cox

Denis Murphy, Anaeko

Bob McGowan-Smyth, Crescent Capital

Caroline McGoran, University of Ulster

(Chair 2012)


Simon McMullen, KPMG

David Croft, Danske Bank (2012)

Ian Beatty, Danske Bank (2013)

Mark Cunningham, Bank of Ireland


culture

VC Forum

£6m

Halo(Affiliate Programme)

Over £6M has been invested by Halo, theNI business angel network, run by theNorthern Ireland Science Park on behalf ofInvest NI and InterTradeIreland.

Halo is a natural partner with NISPCONNECT which provides a high qualityflow of battle-tested companies. Halo alsopartners with Seedrs and Crowdcube forcrowdfunding and with Scottish, Irish andLondon-based angel groups for multiplesyndicated angel rounds.

MOF Technologies – Dr TomRobinson, CEONanomaterials for a low carbonworld: enabling affordablecarbon capture, natural gasvehicles that can be refuelled inthe home and efficienthydrocarbon separations.

Performa Sports – DannyTurley, Founder & CEODelivers a suite of mobile andintuitive touchscreen tools foranalysts, coaches, and theplayers in the global sportsmarket, to improve team andindividual performances.

Jampot – James Scott, CEOA Software as a Service (“SaaS”)product that enables anyone tocreate a mobile phone “app” fora fraction of the currentdeveloper fees.

AirPOS – Marty Neil, CEOPowerful, affordable DIY ePOSand ecommerce software forSME retailers and independenttraders.

DisplayNote – Paul Brown,CEOArticulate, annotate,collaborate. Enabling users topresent, share & collaborateideas across any device.

SeedUps – Michael Faulkner,Founder & CEOAn intelligent crowdfundingplatform for tech startups andinvestors. Open to businesses inthe UK, Ireland and USA, itallows startups to raise up to£500,000 and investors caninvest up to £10,000 in aproject.

Anaeko – Denis Murphy, CEODelivers tailored softwareproducts and consultancy tolarge IT organisations andspecialises in solutions that helpmonitor and manage complexIT environments. This marketsegment is commonly referredto as IT Service Management(“ITSM”).


culture


For the regional economy to thrive in the future, we have to lay the path for ourkids. Currently, high achievers are pushed into the professions under the illusionof a safe career, when instead they could be developing innovative products thatmake an impact on the world. Generation Innovation is a network supportingthose young people from Northern Ireland with the highest potential to succeedin the new economy. Each year, 100 new members aged 16-17, covering a broadrange of skills and interests, are accepted into the programme. GenerationInnovation seeks ambitious students, regardless of background or exam grades,with the drive to become future leaders of the Knowledge Economy.The Programme provides a platform to be inspired by global innovators, meetlocal entrepreneurs and like-minded young people, and to identify workexperience positions and future career paths.

300 people attended the annual dinner at Titanic Belfast, including 20 foundersof local tech companies. Locally-born games industry legend David Perryaddressed the audience live from California, interviewed by GenerationInnovation member Andrew Fulton. Also speaking was Danny Moore, former CEOof local tech success Wombat (sold to New York Stock Exchange). Tech demoswere provided by Belfast-based hackerspace Farset Labs. Members can nominatethemselves or be nominated by another person at any time.

“A knowledge economy worker, on average, will earn a 42% wage premium above theNorthern Ireland mean wage and be 48% more productive than the economy averageworker … Undoubtedly increasing these types of jobs will improve the sustainability of theNorthern Ireland economy in the long term.”Northern Ireland Knowledge Economy Index, 2012

GenerationInnovation

Programme ManagerMeghan Houlihan

360 Production in Derry~Londonderry supportedGeneration Innovation with the creation of a short videothat encourages our talented young people to considermore rewarding careers in the Knowledge Economy.

Steering Team


David Lyness, Carson McDowell

Joanne Stuart, Attrus

Carol Fitzsimons,

Young Enterprise Northern Ireland

Andrew Fulton, Former Student,

Carrickfergus Grammar School

Tony Gallagher, Queen's University

BelfastKathryn Walls, Mills Selig

John McGuckian, Tughans

Gail Sergeant, Grafton

Nancy Brown, Grafton

Liguori Dobbin, Bank of Ireland (201

3)


The superstar tech founders in our community deserve to becelebrated for their achievements. And by publicly recognisingthem, we can provide role models for the next generation.

Each year nominations are received for the Innovation Founder ofthe Year. One superstar founder is picked for the award and invitedto join in the mentoring and celebration of our emerging newtalent.

The 2012 Innovation Founder of the Year title was awarded to Tom Eakin, Founder of TG Eakin Ltd.

Tom Eakin founded TG Eakin Ltd in 1974 when he worked as apharmacist in Dundonald, dedicated to the production of high-quality skin protection products for use in stoma and wound careacross the world. Today, Eakin Holdings has factories in Wales andNorthern Ireland, employs over 200 people, exports to over 30countries worldwide and in 2010 received the Queen’s Award forEnterprise in Exporting Achievement. In 2011 Tom himself wasrecognised as the ‘Family Business Director of the Year’ as well asrunner-up in the ‘Overall Director of the Year’ at the UK IODDirector of the Year Awards.

“If we are to develop a strong knowledge economy inNorthern Ireland I recognise the importance ofcelebrating and showcasing entrepreneurship to prove tothe next generation that there is nothing stopping themfrom developing and commercialising their owninnovative thinking.”Tom Eakin

2012

2011

2010

2012

2011

2010

2012

2011

2010

Tom Eakin

Hugh Cormican

John Anderson

Innovation Founder of the Year Award


PitchFest “How the heck do you commercialise biomarkers?”

“Big Data: Big Bubble?”

Intelligent Energy Systems

Tech eXiles Xmas miXer

NI Knowledge Economy: Has the Needle Moved?

{ EVENTS }

attendees at six eventsattendees at six events

530 attendees at 16 Frameworks Even

ts300

Steering Team


Eddie Friel, University of Ulster

Richard Fulton, Mills Selig

EnterpriseForumThis event series provides entrepreneurial insight andeducation in an informative and entertaining environment,for a diverse audience of Northern Ireland’s business leadersand technologists, as well as capital and service providers.Enterprise Forum provides access to world-class marketintelligence and a distinctive perspective on today’s mostchallenging business issues facing startups, by producingforums and case study presentations featuring NorthernIreland’s most exciting, emerging growth technologycompanies. Enterprise Forum creates an opportunity forscience and technology sector leaders across all industries toconnect in a relaxed and inspiring setting.


The TeamServing the Innovation Community

Steve OrrDirector

Trudy ParryProgramme Administrator

Meagan BlantonProgramme ManagerSpringboardEnterprise Forum

Peter EdgarProgramme Manager25k AwardsCo-Founders Wanted!Frontiers in Science &TechnologyInnovation Founder ofthe Year AwardUS–NI MentorshipProgram

Meghan HoulihanProgramme ManagerFrameworksGeneration Innovation VC ForumNI KnowledgeEconomy Index

38 NORTHERN IRELAND SCIENCE PARK > CATALYSING INNOVATION

Advocacy

Critical Success Factors2013-14

In their annual interviews our members told ushow they felt NISP CONNECT wasprogressing. Feedback was generally verypositive but a few areas for improvement weremade clear. Our members’ views led to theremoval of one of our Critical Success Factors,and the addition of two.

1. Funding

Achieve private fundingtarget agreed withDepartment of Enterprise,Trade and Investment thatwill lead to the independenceand sustainability of NISPCONNECT withoutcompromising its directionand diversity ofcompetences.

2. Knowledge EconomyAdvocacy

Develop and execute anadvocacy strategy based onthe findings of KnowledgeEconomy Index andstakeholder analysis so thatcritical public policyinterventions areimplemented when required.

3. Springboard

Springboard is the mostvaluable service a communitycan provide to itsentrepreneurs given thediversity of competence andnetwork that can beleveraged. Springboard mustbe improved to becomerecognised as the eliteprogramme for science andtech entrepreneurs in NI byMarch 2014.

4. Communications

Create a buzz aboutNorthern Ireland’s scienceand tech scene by telling thestories of the entrepreneursand research rock stars inNorthern Ireland achievingsuccess and developingexciting products to keyaudiences at home andabroad.

5. University integration

Achieve integration of key faculties and students intoNISP CONNECT programmesannually.

£


Annual Income & Expenditure

INCOME 31/03/2013 31/03/2012

£ £

Membership 126,000 125,000

Sponsorship 78,142 65,937

Grant 208,837 216,536

412,979 407,473

EXPENDITURE

Programme costs 121,410 119,400

Other costs 60,141 71,537

Salaries (DETI funded) 224,064 216,536

405,615 407,473

Surplus for year at 31/03/13 7,364 -

NISP CONNECT Income & Expenditure for year ending 31/03/13 and 31/03/12


MEMBERSHIP

Some of Northern Ireland’s leadingfirms have made a huge contributionthrough membership of NISPCONNECT. Our members support NISPCONNECT both financially and bygiving time to steering programmesand helping entrpreneurs. Theirinvolvement has been critical todelivering and developing NISPCONNECT’s activities.

silver £2,000

Platinum £10,000

Gold £5,000

Thank you

Northern IrelandScience Park TrusTIn order to support the region’s economic development more fully, we aredriving towards financial independence. This will allow us greater freedom ofaction and voice, and more alignment with the private sector entrepreneurs westrive to serve.

The recently established Northern Ireland Science Park Trust is a platform forphilanthropy that will support NISP CONNECT and aid Northern Ireland’sgrowth into a thriving knowledge economy.

The Northern Ireland Science Park Trust is proud to announce its new Patron, HRH The Duke of York KG.



DirectoryA Thousand Thank Yous To…


SpringboardEntrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs)Andrew Walmsley, Director, EasonsSinclair Stockman, CIO, BTDes Speed, CEO, Lagan TechnologiesDenis Murphy, CEO, AnaekoJG Doherty, CEO, AmphionLes Curran, CEO, KelsiusDick Milliken, CFO, AlmacMichael O’Neill, COO, First DerivativesGareth Dunlop, CEO, TibusSteven Gunning, CEO, TomcatRoger Johnson, VP, BD MeridioAlan Watts, Co-Founder, YeloJude Lynch, COO, O2 IrelandClare Passmore, CTO, GalenBrian Baird, CEO, MeridioBrendan Colgan, CEO, ESABKarl Mulligan, VP, Almac DiagnosticsMichael Black, MD BCO CFO, Blue ChipPaula Glossop, CEO, Sentry ITDarren Craig, CEO, IVM EuropeMichael Keltai, MD, Nokia Networks, BrazilEoin Lambkin, Owner, Groupe-IntellexRonan Cunningham, Founder, BanbatechAislinn Rice, Sales Director, Andor TechnologyStuart Harvey, Founder, Harco Technology

Investment/FundingNeil Simms, Clarendon Fund ManagersDanny McCaughan, Kernel CapitalDavid McCurley, WhiteRock CapitalColin Walsh, Crescent CapitalDeirdre Terrins, Crescent CapitalBoyd Carson, Sapphire Capital PartnersBob McGowan-Smyth, Crescent CapitalCaroline McGoran, University of UlsterVicky Dummingan, TughansHal Wilson, Fastnet VenturesAlan Watts, HaloSimon McMullen, KPMG

Product DevelopmentRoberto Fagnani, Biotechnology BusinessSolutionsMoira Burke, Burke Business Solutions LtdJoseph Donoghue, Leardon SolutionsTim Harrison, Almac DiscoveryPaul Millar, Horizon Two Six LtdAubrey Sayers, Altos Solutions

Corporate FinancePaul Currid, Keenan Corporate FinanceCraig Holmes, Horwood & Holmes CorporateFinanceAngela Reavey, Capaxo LtdGary Shannon, BDO

Paul Hollway, KPMGGraham Stewart, PwCKeith Jess, Ernst & YoungNoel Culbert, PwCAlan Taylor, Arthur CoxRichard Graham, RG & Co

Legal & RegulatoryDawn McKnight, Carson McDowellLynsey Mallon, Arthur CoxNeasa Quigley, Carson McDowellKathryn Walls, Mills SeligChris Guy, Mills SeligKerry McCorkell, TughansMarie Walsh, AnsonsBob Beckham, Beckhams IP (Defence)Alan Bissett, Arthur Cox (Cleantech &Renewables)John McGuckian, Tughans

MarketingNorbert Sagnard, Sagnard AssociatesBarry Hagan, Barry Hagan AssociatesTeresa O’Loughlin, think6Paul Harding, Meltem ExportSiobhan Gallagher, Shout!Stephen Jemphrey, J I ConsultingJulie Taylor, Integrity NI

Springboard Domain Experts

• Job titles are often previous positions held, as many EiRs are giving back to the community after leaving prominent jobs• We've tried to include everyone but if we missed you off the list, please let us know


First Round JudgesAlan Watts, IETColm Martin, Bank of IrelandEamon McGuckin, Bank of IrelandHilary Griffith, (formerly) Pinsent MasonsMathew Forde, Forde CampbellMichael Doran, Action RenewablesNeasa Quigley, Carson McDowellPatrick Rooney, Bank of IrelandFergal McCusker, Bank of IrelandRachel Lundy, (formerly) Arthur CoxSeamus Scullion, Text Help SystemsPeter Donnelly, BioBusiness NI

Final Round JudgesBryan Keating, MATRIX (Chair)Jim McIlroy, Warner ChilcottCaolan Small, Dow ChemicalMichael Crossey, Aepona (an Intel company)Marie Walsh, AnsonsJulie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of IrelandTim Brick, Irish Academy of EngineersWill Prendergast, Frontline Ventures

MentorsJulie Taylor, Integrity NIClare Passmore, Clear Spirit DesignJohn McCarry, AVXDiane McCall, Bank of IrelandJudith Scott, Bank of IrelandJG Doherty, EiRDaniel McCaughan, Kernel CapitalBrendan Colgan, EiRStephen Houston, SophiaMark Johnston, Finesse ConsultingGary Hamilton, Xilinx (formerly)Andrew Walmsley, EiRBrendan Mooney, KainosBrian Cummings, Enterprise EquityMary McCall, Treat TicketGareth Dunlop, EiRKarl Mulligan, EiRTristan Brittain-Dissont, E-Synergy

25k Awards

Note: some company positions may have changed


Frameworks: PanellistsTopic Panellists

ExitsBob McGowan Smyth, InterTradeIrelandGary Hamilton, Xilinx

VC ProcessJoe Hicks, Cloud OptTristan Brittain Dissont, E-Synergy

Stock Options and War for TalentOliver Lennon, Speech StormHal Wilson, Fastnet Ventures

Govt Grants Paul Brewster, Pure Marine

Financing OptionsMichael Black, Aepona (an Intel Company)Judith Totten, Keys Commercial Finance Ltd

Art of the Term SheetHal WilsonNoel McKenna, CSR

LicensingMathew Forde, Forde CampbellJennifer Cook, University of UlsterPaul Donachy, Queen's University Belfast

Startup Accounting Michael Nixon, ASMPatent Box Ian Farley, BDO

ValuationsDenis Murphy, AnaekoBrian Cummings, Enterprise Equity

Strategic AlliancesEric Porter, Odyssey Trust

Norman Apsley, NISP

Entrepreneur + Equity = GrowthMary McCall, Treat TicketCiaran Hunter, Halo Angel

CrowdfundingBoyd Carson, Sapphire CapitalAlan Watts, Halo

Patent Box CIDO (Craigavon) Patent Box University of Ulster (Magee) R&D Tax Credits


Aaron Taylor, Gogamingo (nowgoprezzo)Neil Buchanan, FlishPaul Brewster, Pure MarineDeclan Service, LifeScienceHubGreg Maguire, inlifesizeHugh Cormican, Cirdan ImagingPatricia O'Hagan, Core SystemsSuzanne Saffie-Siebert, SisafDave Patterson, SophiaDes Speed, PathXLClare Marie Passmore, Clear SpiritDesignMary McCall, Treat TicketStephen Houston, Angel InvestorColin Reid + Gareth Tolerton,Consilium TechnologiesDavid Moody, Kana SoftwareStephen Brankin, AsiduaSheena Lewis, Lewis FertilityDanny Moore, Lough ShoreInvestmentsAdam Ewart, SendmybagKarl Mulligan, Almac DiagnosticsBrendan Mooney, KainosAndrew Bolster, Farset LabsJoanne Stuart, Attrus

Generation Innovation:Attending SchoolsAntrim Grammar SchoolAquinas Diocesan Grammar SchoolAshfield Girls' High SchoolAssumption Grammar SchoolBallycastle High SchoolBallyclare Secondary SchoolBanbridge AcademyBangor Academy & Sixth Form CollegeBangor Grammar SchoolBelfast High SchoolBelfast Royal AcademyCambridge House Grammar SchoolCampbell College Christian Brothers' SchoolColeraine Academical InstitutionColeraine High School Dalriada SchoolDominican CollegeDown High School Grosvenor Grammar School Hazelwood College Hunterhouse CollegeLarne Grammar School Limavady Grammar School Lismore Comprehensive SchoolLisneal CollegeLittle Flower Girls' School Loreto Grammar SchoolMarkethill High School

Methodist College Oakgrove Integrated CollegeOmagh AcademyOmagh High School Our Lady and St Patrick's College Our Lady's Grammar SchoolPortadown CollegePriory College Regent House Grammar School Sacred Heart CollegeShimna Integrated College St Brigid's CollegeSt Catherine's CollegeSt Columb's CollegeSt Dominic's High School St Louis Grammar School St Louise's Comprehensive College St Malachy's College St Mary's LimavadySt Mary's MagherafeltSt Patrick's Academy St Patrick's Co-Ed ComprehensiveCollegeSt Paul's College Sullivan Upper School The Royal Belfast AcademicalInstitutionThe Royal School Dungannon Thornhill CollegeVictoria CollegeWallace High School

VC Forum: Attending InvestorsPaul Murray, Atlantic Bridge Partners Pete Smyth, Broadlake CaptialKevin McSweeney, Broadlake CaptialStuart Chapman, DFJ Esprit Brian Caulfield, DFJ Esprit Tristan Brittain-Dissont, E-SynergyKathleen White, E-SynergyWill Prendergast, FrontlineDanny McCaughan, Kernel CapitalRobert Higginson, Par EquityFearghal O'Riordian, Scottish Equity Partners Sigurður Sævarsson, Thule Investments Debbie Rennick, ACTPeter Cowley, Martlet FundColin Walsh, Crescent Capital

VC Forum: Pitching CompaniesDanny Turley, Performa SportsMichael Faulkner, SeedUpsDamian Moore, SeedUpsTom Robinson, MOF Technologies Paul Brown, DisplayNoteMarty Neill, AirPOSJames Scott, JampotDenis Murphy, Anaeko

Generation Innovation: Attending Tech Founders


Alan Anderson, i3 DigitalNorman Apsley, Northern IrelandScience ParkClaire BainBrian Baird, ReplifyJim BatesNichola Bates, Emerald ValleyShane Beckett, Policy Detective LtdMichael BeeneyKat Beutick, East Belfast EnterpriseAgencyNigel Bickerstaff, Affinity (NI)Ben BlandAndrew Bolster, Farset LabsStuart Bothwell, Ask What NowStephen BradleyByrom BramwellJennifer Brannigan, Pinsent MasonsPaul Brewster, Pure MarineSimon Bridge, Simon Bridge &AssociatesTristan Brittain-Dissont, E-SynergyTim Brundle, University of UlsterFrank Bryan, QUBISClaire Burgoyne, BBCMatthew CampbellRory Campbell, Forde CampbellJosh Carr, PWCGary Carruthers, UnderwaterpistolPaul Caskey, Integrated Education FundMelanie Christie Boyle, BallymenaBusiness Centre

Julie CollinsJoe Conere, Digital Media ChoicesJennifer Cook, Innovation UlsterHugh Cormican, Cirdan ImagingStephen Cosgrove, Sports TechnologyInnovationIan Coulter, TughansNick Cranney, PuredropDavid Croft, Northern BankAmanda Crothers, Department ofEnterprise, Trade and InvestmentDavid Crozier, Centre for SecureInformation TechnologyBrian Cummings, Enterprise EquityMichael CunninghamRich DaleJohn Darcy, KPMGTerry Devlin, Murgitroyd & CompanyGeorge Dorrian, FSBVicky Dummigan, TughansConor Dunbar, Department ofEnterprise, Trade and InvestmentMark Earnshaw, Murgitroyd &CompanyStephen EllisConor Ewings, Atlas CommunicationsVincent Farrelly, Queen's UniversityBelfastRichard Ferguson, HaloJennifer Ferguson, Arthur Cox Carol Fitzsimons, Young EnterpriseNorthern Ireland

Eddie Friel, University of UlsterRichard Fulton, Mills SeligGeraldine FusciardiJohann Gallagher, SIB NISiobhan GallagherTony Gallagher, Queen's UniversityBelfastJonathan Garrett, Stream-worxNeil Gibson, Oxford EconomicsAaron Gibson Gordon Gough, Enterprise NISharon Gowdy, Pinsent MasonsKieran Graham, AirPOS LtdAndrew Gribben, JotterzNiamh Griffin, Bank of IrelandMatt HalliganAisling Harkin, Queen's UniversityBelfastRichard Harrison, Queen's UniversityBelfastStuart Harvey, DatacticsDeclan Hill, Forum for BelfastDavid Hill, David A Hill ConsultingRichard Hill, Delivery ServicesRichard Horton, Carritech ResearchLimitedStephen Houston, SophiaGraeme Hutchinson, Department ofEnterprise, Trade and InvestmentJune Ingram, Department of EducationNorthern Ireland

Mike IrvineNatalie Irwin, CARD GroupRosy James, Blick StudiosChristine James, Blick StudiosStephen JemphreyRichard Johnston, Invest NIMatt Johnston, Digital CircleRichard Johnston, Astute Labs LtdPaul Kavanagh, Craigavon BoroughCouncilJonny Kelly, Origin PartnersJohn Kelly, I-InnovationsMichael KeltaiLisa Kennedy, East Belfast EnterpriseAgencyNuala Kerr, Department of EducationNorthern IrelandEoin Lambkin, Groupe IntellexMichael Lilley, Department ofEnterprise, Trade and InvestmentBarry Lynch, Nifty NoshPaul MacFlynn, Irish Congress of TradeUnionsBill MacNeillAlec McRitchie, BombardierShirley Madden, Forde CampbellTerry Madill, T T ContractingBob McGowan-Smyth,InterTradeIrelandGreg Maguire, InlifesizeLynsey Mallon, Arthur CoxMartin Malseed, Wealthcare

Knowledge Economy Stakeholder Analysis – Participating Stakeholders(#Ideafest, The Conference, The Tiger Teams)


Tim Mash, Innovetex Design GroupAlessandro Masia, BOOM InteractiveTerry Matthews, Tiviot Systems CorpGordee McBride, Digital Media ChoicesRodney McAdam, University of UlsterClaire McCafferty, MATRIX /Department of Enterprise, Trade andInvestmentKevin McCaffrey, Conversion RateServicesRosie McClenaghan, TaxizappPaschal McCloskey, Queen's UniversityBelfastElaine McComb, Words etc.Michael McCormack, BTPhilip McCourt, McCourt MediaDarren McDowell, HarbinsonMulhollandNaomh McElhatton, DANIEoin McFadden, Department ofEnterprise, Trade and InvestmentCiaran McGarrity, Department ofEnterprise, Trade and InvestmentCaroline Mcgoran, University of UlsterAngela Mcgowan, Northern BankStephen McGowan, Department ofCulture, Arts and LeisureAidan McGrath, AetopiaJohn McGuckian, Tughans

John McKee, LinkubatorRay McKendryHugh McKenna, University of UlsterStephen McKinty, FG WilsonDawn McKnight, Carson McDowellAndy McMoran, Ian McMorris, CregyhilConsultingSimon McMullen, KPMGChris McMeill, KanaSuzanne McNeill, Pinsent MasonsKirsty McQuoid, PRs MEPhilip Mills, Centre for SecureInformation TechnologyColin Mitchell, Colin MitchellKim Moore, Atlas Communications (NI)LtdDavid Moore, QUBISCarley MorrowSinead MullanDenis Murphy, AnaekoOonagh Murphy, University of UlsterMartin Neill, AirPOS LtdOrlagh NolanPatricia O'Hagan, Core SystemsJulie Ann O'Hare, Bank of IrelandRyan O'LynnKen O'Neill, University of UlsterRuan O'Tiarnaigh, WSI Online GuruGerry O’Reilly, iTradebook.com

Adrian O’Reilly, iTradebook.comRob Parker, Voz MediaGlenn Parker, Department of EducationNorthern IrelandDave Patterson, SophiaEric Porter, Odyssey TrustNeasa Quigley, Carson McDowellAngela Reavey, Capaxo LtdJohn Reid, RepKnightDebbie Rennick, ACT VCBrendan Rice, UnderwaterpistolKenneth Rodgers, East BelfastEnterprise AgencyScott Rutherford, Queen's UniversityBelfastJudith Scott, Bank of IrelandGale Seargant, GraftonDavy Simms, WIMPS.tvJohn Simpson, EconomistOwen SimsSandy Smith, Enterprise NIDianne SmithCherrie Stewart, AnsonsGary Stokes, InterTradeIrelandJoanne Stuart, AttrusConnor Sweeney, InterTradeIrelandFergus SweeneyJulie Taylor, Integrity NIMike Thompson, WSI Online Guru

Ciaran Timoney, WellingtonInternationalMargaret Toomey, City MagpieSharon Tracey-Collins, OmaghEnterprise CompanyDanny Turley, Performa Sports LtdFergus WallaceAndrew Walmsley, Entrepreneur-in-ResidenceSeamus Walsh, White Rose FinanceMary Walshok, University of California,San Diego CONNECTAlan Watts, HaloAndrew WebbNuala White, Learning-for-living &Em4 Alan Wilson, Tranzformix ConsultingHal Wilson, Fastnet VenturesPhilip Wilson, MatchMediaRon WilsonAndrew Woods, CatagenMalcolm Young, Malcolm Young &Associates

Knowledge Economy Stakeholder Analysis – ParticipatingStakeholders (#Ideafest, The Conference, The Tiger Teams)

CONTINUED>>

6 NISP CONNECT> CATALYSING INNOVATION 49

IdeaFestA big thank you to our Theme Leaders:Brian McKimm, Director at FerannaInvestmentsBen Bland, Digital Strategy ConsultantTim Brundle, University of UlsterEoin McFadden, Innovation Policy Unitat DETIPhilip Stanfield, SLA MobileFrank Bryan, QUBIS

Enterprise Forum“How the Heck Do YouCommercialise Biomarkers?”Steering Team:Peter Donnelly, BioBusienssKarl Mulligan, Former VP AlmacDiagnosticsTristan Brittain-Dissont, EsynergyJennifer Cook, University of UlsterVincent Farrelly, Queen’s UniversityBelfast

Panel: Dr Cormac Kilty, CTO, EKF DiagnosticsHoldings plc. (Moderator)Peter Keeling, CEO, Diaceutics

Prof Richard Kennedy, Queen’sUniversity Belfast / AlmacDr Brian White, Shore CapitalRoberto Fagnani, Global BD,Biotechnology Business SolutionAiden Flynn, MD, Exploristics

“Big Data: Big Bubble?”Steering Team:Norbert Sagnard, Mobile MondayDenis Murphy, AnaekoColm Hayden, AnaekoRuán Ó Tiarnaigh, Guru NetworksLimitedKarl Mulligan, Former VP AlmacDiagnosticsBen Bland

Panel:Dr Johnny Ryan, Irish Times ChiefInnovation Officer (Moderator)Michael McKillen, IBM Global BusinessServices Associate PartnerStuart Chapman, DFJ espritPhil Taylor, SAPVitali Proutski, AstraZenecaDave Patterson, Sophia

Intelligent Energy SystemsPanel:Toby Coppel, Partner of VirginManagement (Moderator)David Surplus - Chair, MATRIXSustainable Energy Panel & FoundingDirector, B9 Energy GroupIndustry Perspective - Joe Corbett, Headof Technology, Mainstream RenewablePowerIndustry Perspective - Tom Gillen, COOViridian Energy & PowerInvestor Perspective - Tomás Murray,Greencoat Capital

NI Knowledge Economy: Has theNeedle Moved?Special thanks to Miriam Ferrari fromOxford Economics.

PitchFestWinning companies:1st – MOF Technologies (TomRobinson)2nd – Entec Studios (Gerry McGuckin)3rd - Ourdiggs (Matt Campbell)

Other Presenting Companies:GreenansTank CommanderNeuroCONCISE3SquareMatchmediaCalorgenFox on the WallsTerawattAdvent Wind

Mentors:Shirley Madden, Forde Campbell LLCLes Curran, EiRAlan Taylor, Arthur CoxAndrew Walmsley, EiRPaul Larmor, Angel InvestorMarie Walsh, AnsonsRussell Smyth, KPMG

Judges:Diane Roberts, Xcell PartnersStephen Houston, Angel InvestorRichard Gray, Pinsent MasonsTim Brundle, University of Ulster

Enterprise Forum

6 NISP CONNECT > CATALYSING INNOVATION51

Enquiries to:Trudy Parry Programme Administrator

[email protected]+44 (0) 28 9073 7920

The Innovation CentreNorthern Ireland Science ParkQueen’s RoadQueen’s IslandBelfastBT3 9DTMore at: www.nispconnect.org


www.nispconnect.org

NISP CONNECT is proudly part-funded by the EuropeanRegional Development fund under the EuropeanSustainable Competitiveness Programme for

Northern Ireland 2007-2013

+44 (0) 28 9073 7800

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: mitchell-k

ane

nisp connect annual report 2013

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