The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Chris O’Leary was guest of honour at the Cork Institute of Technology’s Innovation Support Day at the Nimbus Centre on October 6th.
Opening the event, the Ardmhéara addressed a full house: “I encourage each of you here today to use the information and connections you make to nurture your innovative idea, and begin your start-up journey with an understanding of the many supports available to you. Today could be the starting point towards building a successful business for many here, and CIT are eager to help.”
The fully booked event was run as part of the Start-Up Gathering (Oct 5th- 10th) and saw companies of all sizes from individual entrepreneurs and SMEs to multi-nationals receive guidance, solutions and information on how innovation services can advance your business.
Prizes worth €20,000 were awarded on the day, including €10,000 research support from Nimbus won by Vincent O’Keeffe of BuddyUpp to develop an underwater safety innovation. CAPPA research worth €5,000 was won by Enterasense Ltd to create a medical smart-pill diagnostic device. An incubation centre hot-desk and specialist mentoring within the Rubicon was won by Christopher Burge.
Speakers from a variety of organisations outlined the often difficult process of growing an idea from concept to commercialisation, and discussed how key challenges can be overcome. Exciting panel discussions were held allowing attendees to pick the brains of the experts.
Key clients of the Nimbus and CAPPA technology gateways and Rubicon Centre located in CIT also spoke about the innovation supports they have utilised on their journey to entrepreneurial success; such as Trevor Winckworth, CEO of In Hand Guides, who after humble beginnings now sells his tourism audio guides all over the world.
Richard Linger, head of Nimbus’ industry division said: “Our aim for the day was to provide a fresh perspective on how third level institutions can work with businesses– research undertaken at CIT has real commercial value across many different fields and there are a wealth of funding schemes and mechanisms that businesses of all types and sizes can take advantage of.”
The day also held the official launch of Litmus- the trialling division of the Nimbus Centre.
Litmus is a public facility where businesses and research bodies can develop, test, trial and demonstrate applications, products and services. Litmus provides unique access to a powerhouse of energy, water, community test-beds and related infrastructure and is the first of its kind in Ireland.
