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Minister Sherlock presents Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Awards

Inventors pitch 21 ‘Big Ideas’ to investors at Enterprise Ireland technology showcase

25th September 2013

21 inventors will pitch their new technologies to an audience of over 450 potential investors today [Wednesday] at the Enterprise Ireland Big Ideas technology showcase in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin 4.

The aim of the event is to connect the inventors with the right investors and business partners to establish new companies and create high-value jobs.

The inventors are researchers from Higher Education Institutes who have used public-funding to develop innovative technologies including;

· treatments for high-blood pressure, varicose veins and dementia

· non-stick, biodegradable chewing gum

· data security for documents stored in the cloud

· smart paint that transforms any surface into a whiteboard

· surgical innovations

· safe, natural clean-up solutions for toxic dumps

· a movement analysis tool for athletes

· an ‘effortless’ clothes hanger

Opening the event, Seán Sherlock T.D Minister for Research & Innovation congratulated the 21 inventors and their teams on their achievements to date.

He said “We are witnessing job-creation right in front of us here today. Some of the teams are already employing people and with continued support from Enterprise Ireland will continue to expand as high potential start up companies. As part of the Action Plan for Jobs, the Government is intently focussed on harnessing the knowledge and expertise that exists in our Higher Education Institutes to create jobs and improve our society”.

He continued “the European Commission has just published a new innovation output indicator measuring the extent to which ideas from innovative sectors are able to reach the market and create better jobs. Today’s event is a great example of why Ireland was classified as a ‘top performer’ for innovation output in the EU.

In his welcome to the investors attending the event, Gearóid Mooney, Enterprise Ireland’s Research and Innovation Manager outlined the path that the inventors took to get an audience with potential investors; “All of the ‘big ideas’ have come through the national technology transfer system which is funded through Enterprise Ireland.

Initially the technologies were developed by the researchers in Irish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) using public research funds. Then they were commercialised with funding and advice from Enterprise Ireland and the Technology Transfer Office within the HEIs”.

“Many of the inventors have been teamed-up with business partners by Enterprise Ireland. The inventors and their teams have worked incredibly hard to get to this point where they are now ready to do deals with investors” said Mooney.

Later today the Minister will present Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Awards to 3 individuals who have successfully commercialised publicly-funded research.