www.nispconnect.org

CREATIVE

CREATIVESTARTUPS

CREATIVE

BUSINESS

MEDIA

MEDIA

MED

IA

CO

NSU

MER

INTERNET

INTE

RN

ET

TECHNOLOGY ELECTRONICS

ENGINEERING

ENG

INEE

RIN

G

ENG

INEER

ING

AGRI-FOOD

AGRI-FOOD

AGRI-FOODPROTOTYPING

STARTUPS

STAR

TUPS

LIFE

LIFE

INVESTSTARTUPS

HEALTH

DIGITAL MEDIA

ENTERPRISE

ENTERPRISE

SOFTWARE

SOFT

WA

RE

SOFT

WA

RE

INNOVATIONPROTOTYPING

CO

LLA

BO

RAT

ION

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

WINNING

ECONOMYKNOWLEDGE

KNOWLEDGE

DEV

ELO

PMEN

TGROWTH

ANNUALREPORT 2013 14

CATALYSINGINNOVATION

HRH Duke of YoRk welcomeD 1st majoR local Donation to nisP tRust, fRom tG eakin sen. GeoRGe mitcHell

became us PatRon foR tHe nisP tRust

new

PR

oG

Ram

me:

>£1m contRibuteD in VolunteeR HouRs & membeR fees foR unDeR £180k Public inVestment

2,000 eVent attenDees

474 eaRlY staGe VentuRes & wantRePReneuRs enGaGeD witH nisP connect PRoGRammes

HiGHlY exPeRienceD new team membeR: joHn

knaPton, sPRinGboaRD DiRectoR

It was a Good Year at ...

£1m

2,000

“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

...and for northern Ireland

Gr

eat

new

s:N

ort

her

N Ir

ela

Nd

’s

kN

ow

led

ge

eco

No

my

Is g

ro

wIN

g

fast

er t

ha

N t

he

Uk*

2009 31,408

2010 32,389

2011 33,370

6.2%

2.5%2009 1,628,417

2010 1,634,780

2011 1,668,730

EMPLOYMENT INTHE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

UNITED KINGDOM

NORTHERN IRELAND

from observer tech publIcatIon feature:

sIlIcoN roUNdaboUt aNd beyoNd: the best brItIsh tech startUps

*Sou

rce:

Kno

wle

dge

Econ

omy

Inde

x R

epor

t 201

3 –

inde

pend

ently

pro

duce

d by

NIC

EP &

Oxf

ord

Econ

omic

s

the vIsIon, tarGets and blockers were crowdsourced at a conference InvolvInG 35 of northern Ireland’s keY knowledGe economY stakeholders In februarY 2012

THE VISION

THE VISION

we belIeve In…The TransformaTion of norThern ireland inTo one of The mosT enTrepreneurial knowledge economies in europe by 2030

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!

[5]

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

crItIcal success factors

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.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.

KNOwlEdgE ECONOmy AdVOCACy

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.

• 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

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.

• Developed SPRINGBOARD as a key partner in the global SPRINGBOARD+ programme, integrating with its pool of mentors, domain experts and market experts.

COmmuNICATIONS

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.

• 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

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.

2013

/14

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.

we lead, we do not follow. let’s make thIs happen, toGether.

Steve Orr Director

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

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

Us–NI meNtorshIp programme

John knapton sprINgboard dIrector

claIre burGoYnegeNeratIoN INNovatIoN

frameworks

vc forUm

NI kNowledge ecoNomy INdex

leadershIp board cHRis HoRn, NIsp coNNect

steVe oRR, NIsp coNNect

noRman aPsleY, NIsp

PHiliP maGuiRe, NIsp

joel feRGuson, afbI

tim bRunDle, Ulster INNovatIoNs

HuGH mckenna, UNIversIty of Ulster

GaVin camPbell, bombardIer

alec mcRitcHie, bombardIer

alan taYloR, arthUr cox

keVin kinGston, daNske baNk

RoRY claRke, daNske baNk

james HauGHeY, Norbrook labs

HuGH coRmican, cIrdaN ImagINg

neasa QuiGleY, carsoN mcdowell

cHRis GuY, mIlls selIg

scott RutHeRfoRD, QUb

fRank bRYan, QUbIs

tonY GallaGHeR, QUb

julie-ann o’HaRe, baNk of IrelaNd

alan watts, halo

[7]

mEmbERSHIP

mEmbERSHIP

plaTinum £10k

gold £5k

silver £2k

membershIptoGether 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.

a bIG

thankYou

from us!

2013/14

proGrammes

pro

gra

mm

es

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.

“Always putting the needs of the entrepreneur first, NISP CONNECT has created an incredible

resource for technology startups in Northern Ireland. They provide a unique opportunity to

collaborate and learn from a brilliant peer group of experienced technical and business people in

a safe and supportive environment at a time in the life of your company where this knowledge and

guidance can hugely improve your chances of success.”

Ronan Cunningham, Founder of banbatech and a NISP CONNECT Entrepreneur-in-Residence

PROgRAmmES

sprInGboard

PROgRAmmES

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.

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:

john knapton, sprINgboard director

touGh love for startups

>400 jobs supported*

*Including multiplier effect

23 graduates to date

85 applications

15 in process

>£4M invested

>70 new jobs directly created

10 companIes

Graduated

sprInGboard NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

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.

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.

[11]

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.

SPRINGBOARD remains the flagship of everything CONNECT stands for. Having been on

the team since our early days in 2011, Meagan Blanton took the SPRINGBOARD helm in

2013 but sadly we had to say farewell a few months later when she moved back home to

California. We miss her lots but she is always in touch.

meagan blanton

PROgRAmmES

sprInGboard

conGratulatIons, sprInGboard Graduates of 2013-14

steerInG team

alan watts, halo

anDRew walmsleY, eIr represeNtatIve

Des sPeeD, eIr represeNtatIve

tom GRiffitHs, eIr represeNtatIve

caRoline mcGoRan, UNIversIty of Ulster

jennifeR feRGuson, arthUr cox

keRRY mccoRkell, tUghaNs

cHRis GuY, mIlls selIg

Dawn mckniGHt, carsoN mcdowell

ian beattY, daNske baNk

aaRon stewaRt, pwc

“NISP CONNECT is a great facilitator for young companies. Its SPRINGBOARD

programme helped SiSaf to develop a strong business strategy and it helped me establish

important contacts within Northern Ireland’s business and investor community. I can say

without hesitation that without NISP CONNECT SiSaf would not be where it is today.”

Suzanne Saffie-Siebert, Founder & CEO, SiSaf

some of thIs Year’s Graduates

sensumgawain morrisonEiR: Ronan Cunningham,

Stephen Houston

Advertising analytics.

amelIoCatherine O’NeilEiR: Ronan Cunningham

Novel engineered drainage solution.

komodogerard mcbreenEiR: Les Curran

Tablet-based maths tutor.

pure marInePaul brewsterEiR: Andrew Walmsley

Wave energy generation.

rotordiarmuid moloneyEiR: Eoin Lambkin

Web-based creative media for music videos.

co-founders

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

[13]

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.

Wanted!steerInG team

bRian baiRD, chaIrmaN

anDRew wooDs, catageN

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

co-founDeRs wanteD! exists to HelP

eaRlY-staGe comPanies builD stRonG

founDinG teams. a biG PusH is neeDeD

foR moRe Potential co-founDeRs!

enGIneerInG

lIfe & health

technoloGY

sectors covered:

25k awardsIn 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:

the search for the next bIG thInG

PROgRAmmES

PROgRAmmES

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

25k awardsthe search for the next bIG thInG

[15]

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

-proaxsIsQueen’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, peptide-based 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.

“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

2013

to

p t

enfI

na

lIst

s

£25koverall

wInner

2013

Official sponsor

hIGh tech

cateGorY wInner-eYe-c-3duniversity of ulsterHigh resolution camera designed to picture the back of the eye in three dimensions, to deliver cost-effective imaging and telemedicine for eye disease.

-xpress lfQueen’s university belfastProducing 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 rIderuniversity of ulsterAccessory to enable motorcyclists to see further at night, with the aim of reducing the number of individuals killed or seriously injured on our roads.

SPONSOrEd bY

bIo tech

25k awardsPROgRAmmES

PROgRAmmES

cateGorY wInner + overall wInner-proaxsIsQueen’s university belfastDeveloping 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.

-Jenarron therapeutIcsuniversity of ulsterNovel 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.

-dIGIteaseuniversity of ulsterRheumatoid arthritis care and treatment for the hand through an intelligent wearable data glove system that quantifies finger joint stiffness and range of movement.

cateGorY wInner-lIopaQueen’s university belfastBringing 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.

-columbusQueen’s university belfastReal-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.

cateGorY wInner-adfertechQueen’s university belfastLow cost, bolt-on device for anaerobic digestion plants whereby nutrients contained within the waste are concentrated and processed to form organic granular fertiliser.

-InkIntellIGentQueen’s university belfastSeveral 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.

clean tech

dIGItal medIa & software

SPONSOrEd bYSPONSOrEd bY

SPONSOrEd bY

25k awards

[17]

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

2013

to

p t

wel

ve

fIn

alI

sts

We found the 25k Awards to be an exhilarating and rewarding experience. It really

helped us focus on our offering and the market for our technology. Since winning the

Software and Digital Media category we showcased Liopa at Mobile World Congress

and are now working on our first commercial engagement

david Crozier, Co-Founder of liopa and Technical marketing manager, CSIT

steerInG team Ronan cunninGHam, baNbatech

neasa QuiGleY, carsoN mcdowell

neil bucHanan, flIsh

Paul DonacHY, QUb

jennifeR cook, UNIversIty of Ulster

katHRYn walls, mIlls selIg

aDRian o’connell, tUghaNs

DaViD bRownlee, hsc

micHael Robinson, afbI

lYnseY mallon, arthUr cox

niamH GRiffin, baNk of IrelaNd

prevIous wInners2012 – mof tecHnoloGies

2011 – flisH

2010 – lenisaeR

2009 – tactilitY factoRY

2008 – affYon netwoRks (titan ic sYstems)

2007 – soPHia

PROgRAmmES

steerInG team aDRian o’connell, tUghaNs

HenRY cleaRY, baNk of IrelaNd

DaViD cRoft, daNske baNk

cHRis GuY, mIlls selIg

lYnseY mallon, arthUr cox

DaViD mooRe, QUbIs

neasa QuiGleY, carsoN mcdowell

frameworks

289attendees

2013

attendees

2013

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

289Our 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.

techwatch

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.

us-nI mentorshIp (affIlIate programme)

steerInG team

joanne stuaRt, aTTrus

founded by The office of

Declan kellY

supporTed by The

ameRican iRelanD funD

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

[19]

toPic Panellists main sPeakeR #attenDeD

The VC ProcessStephen Houston, SophiaDrew O’Sullivan, InterTradeIreland

Alastair Keith & Ivan Waide, A&L Goodbody

8

ExitsGary Hamilton, OmiinoAidan Langan, Enterprise Equity

Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox

13

Licensing Matthew Forde, Forde CampbellOliver Lennon, SpeechStormDanny McCaughan, Kernel Capital

Rory Campbell, Forde Campbell

20

Art of the Term Sheet Des Speed, PathXLDanny McCaughan, Kernel Capital

Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell

26

CrowdfundingAlan Watts, Halo Chris McClelland, Brewbot

Luke Lang, CrowdCube 50

Entrepreneur + Equity = GrowthMichael Black, IntelGawain Morrison, Sensum

Alan Watts, Halo 20

Stock OptionsBob McGowan-Smyth, Crescent CapitalDavid Patterson, Sophia

Colin Piggott, PwC 13

IP: Tactics for Startups Cherrie Stewart & Marie Walsh, AnsonsCherrie Stewart & Marie Walsh, Ansons

20

Entrepreneur + Equity = Growth (CIDO)

Michael Black, IntelDanny Turley, Performa Sports

Alan Watts, Halo 15

Selling Abroad Jonny McClintock, CSRBrian Cummings, Enterprise Equity

Henry Cleary, Bank of Ireland

10

SBRI masterclass (UU, Magee campus)

Lorraine Acheson, Acheson ConsultingRonan Cunningham, Banbatech

Pat Doyle, Invest NI 17

Strategic AlliancesJim Shields Robert Grundy, Almac

Adrian O’Connell, Tughans

13

SBRI masterclass Lorraine Acheson, Acheson ConsultingRonan Cunningham, Banbatech

Pat Doyle, Invest NI 21

How to Get Value from the BankAidan Langan, Enterprise EquityJeff 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 InternationalElisabetta ZaccariaDanny 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, IBMJon Bradford, TechStars

Andrew Tyrer, Technology Strategy Board

14

frameworks caleNdar of eveNts 2013/2014

PROgRAmmES

steerInG team

VickY DummiGan, Tughans

bob mcGowan-smYtH, crescenT capiTal

bRian mckimm, kpmg

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

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.

specIal eveNtsIbm 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

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.

lUNchtIme lectUresSmart Vaccines: Revolutionising drug delivery in Animal HealthDr 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 gossamerAxis 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

vc forUmen

ter

prIs

e fo

rUm

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.

frontIers In scIeNce & techNology

steerInG team PascHal mccloskeY, Queen’s universiTy belfasT

joHn macRae, universiTy of ulsTer

maRGaRet PatteRson, afbi

DaViD lYness, carson mcdowell

neil HenDRon, arThur cox

katHRYn walls, mills selig

niall DeVlin, bank of ireland

steerInG team neasa QuiGleY, carson mcdowell

eDDie fRiel, universiTy of ulsTer

RicHaRD fulton, mills selig

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.

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

[21]

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 fItzgeraldManaging 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.

InnovatIon founder of the year

Official sponsor

SPONSOrEd bY

prevIous wInners

2012tom eakIn

2011dr huGh cormIcan

2010 prof John anderson

mEmbERSHIP

mEmbERSHIP

nI knowledGe ecoNomy INdex

steerInG team

scott RutHeRfoRD

Queen’s universiTy

belfasT

tim bRunDle,

universiTy of ulsTer

RicHaRD fulton

(mills selig)

alan bissett,

arThur cox

Gillian bReakeY,

bank of ireland

micHael mccoRmack,

bT

noRman aPsleY,

norThern ireland

science park

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”).

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!

2030 aspIratIonal traJectorY

£1.05 BILLION TOTAL SPEND ON R&D

£90 MILLION VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTED ANNUALLY

71,250 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY GRADS

71,250 KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY TOTAL EMPLOYEES

7,000 INNOVATION BUSINESSES

500 NEW INNOVATION STARTUP COMPANIES REQUIRED ANNUALLY

knowledGe economY INdex targets

Baseline2009

Most Recent Data 2011

2015 2020Aspirational Trajectory

2030

£600M

£21M

60,980

41,030

2,940

260

£730M

£34M

64,230

57,500

3,920

320

[23]

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.

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.

GeneratIonINNovatIoN

Supported by:

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

steerInG team lYnseY mallon, arThur cox

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

a huGe thaNks todIRECTORy

dIRECTORy

STAKEHOldERSAlan watts, HaloAnn mcgregor, NI Chamber of Commercebill Connor, Sentinusbrendan mcgoran, Belfast City Councilbrian Hunter, CIDObryan Keating, MATRIXCarol Fitzsimons, Young Enterprise Northern IrelandCaroline mcgoran, University of UlsterCiaran mcgarrity, DETICiaran Sheehan, Clarendon Executivedenise murtagh, Queen’s University Belfastderek Hanway, Schools Employers ConnectionsEoin mcFadden, DETIgrainne mcVeigh, Northern Irish Connectionsgrainne lennon, InterTradeIrelandIan Jeffers, Prince’s TrustIvor gibson, Northern Ireland Assembly and Business TrustJayne brady, Kernel CapitalJohn miller, Invest NIJohn Andy bonar, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)Jonathan wallace, University of UlsterKaren Orme, South Eastern Regional CollegeKirsty mcmanus, CBIleslie Orr, ADSlinda brown, IODliz Conlon, Institute of Physics Irelandmark Nagurski, CultureTECHmary Trainor-Nagele, Arts & Business NI

mary walshok, San Diego CONNECTmichael bell, N. I Food & Drink Associationmichael Noble, Momentum NINicholas O’Shiel, Omagh Enterprise Company LtdNigel Smyth, CBIPat doyle, Invest NIPatsy donaghy, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)Paul Clancy, HaloPaul beaney, University of UlsterPeter donnelly, BioBusiness NIRichard williams, Northern Ireland ScreenRob mcConnell, SQSRoger Pollen, Federation of Small BusinessRoseann Kelly, Women in Business NIScott King, NIACESheree Atcheson, Women Who Code BelfastShirley mcCay, Belfast City CouncilSinead mclaughlin, The Londonderry Chamber of CommerceStephen wray, Queen’s University Belfast

FEATuREd ON TECHwATCHwrite to ReadVaccine TabsSixty-5beaconPhlokSee.Sense.briefedget TogetherInkIntelligentAnaekoRotorPatchblockslewis FertilityTactility FactorySian’s PlanSophiaCommander Securities

SiSafgoReportPerforma SportsProofpoint EssentialsTaggledAnalytics Engineslearning PoolSensummicrosensemOF TechnologiesKomododisplayNoteTitan IC Systems

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, 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-Intellex

Ronan Cunningham, Founder, BanbatechAislinn Rice, Sales Director, Andor TechnologyStuart Harvey, Founder, Harco Technology

domain ExpertsInvestment/Funding

Neil 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 development

Roberto Fagnani, Biotechnology Business Solutionsmoira burke, Burke Business Solutions LtdJoseph donoghue, Leardon SolutionsTim Harrison, Almac DiscoveryPaul millar, Horizon Two Six LtdAubrey Sayers, Altos Solutions

Corporate Finance

Paul Currid, Keenan Corporate FinanceCraig Holmes, Horwood & Holmes Corporate FinanceAngela Reavey, Capaxo Ltdgary Shannon, BDOPaul Hollway, KPMG

graham Stewart, PwCKeith Jess, Ernst & YoungNoel Culbert, PwCAlan Taylor, Arthur CoxRichard graham, RG & Co

legal & Regulatory

dawn 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

marketing

Norbert Sagnard, Sagnard Associatesbarry Hagan, Barry Hagan AssociatesTeresa O’loughlin, think6Paul Harding, Meltem ExportSiobhan gallagher, Shout!Stephen Jemphrey, J I ConsultingJulie Taylor, Integrity NI

gENERATION INNOVATION: Attending Tech FoundersAaron Taylor, Co-founder & CEO, GoPrezzobrian baird, Director, ReplifyClare Passmore, Founder, Attune Womensweardavid Patterson, CEO, Sophia

*Job titles are often previous positions held, as many EiRs are giving back to the community after leaving prominent jobs

a huGe thaNks todenis murphy, CEO, Anaekodiarmuid moloney, Founder, Rotorgareth dunlop, CEO, Fathomgawain morrison, CEO & Co-founder, Sensum gerard mcbreen, Co-founder, Komodomath.comgreg maguire, Co-founder & CEO, InlifesizeHugh Cormican, CEO, Cirdan ImagingIan Scott, Founder, TaggledJonny Campbell, Creative Lead, BrewbotKevin logue, Managing Director, Uproar ComicsKevin mcgrath, Co-founder, BeaconKyle gawley, CEO, Get Invitedlorraine martin, CEO, ProAxsisluke mcNeice, Technical consultant, Kainosmal duffin, Owner, CanDo 3Dmary mcCall, Founder & MD, Treat TicketOliver lennon, CEO, Speech StormPatricia O’Hagan, CEO, Core Systems Paul brewster, CTO, Pure MarineRonan Cunningham, Founder, BanbatechRory O’Connor, Director, The Creativity HubRuth morrow, Co-founder, Tactility Factory Sebastian Heinz, MindfloodSheena lewis, CEO, Lewis Fertility TestingSteve brankin, CEO, AsiduaStevie morrow, CEO, WorldDeskTom griffiths, Founder, The Acorn Incubator

Trish belford, Co-founder, Tactility FactoryVincent breslin, Co-founder, Siansplanwilliam barr, Director, Billygoat Entertainment

Participating SchoolsAquinas diocesan grammar School, BelfastAssumption grammar School, BallynahinchAntrim grammar Schoolballyclare High Schoolballyclare Secondary Schoolballymena Academybanbridge Academybangor Academybelfast High Schoolbelfast model School For girlsbelfast Royal Academybrownlow Integrated College, CraigavonCambridge House grammar School, BallymenaCampbell College, BelfastChristian brothers grammar School, OmaghColeraine High SchoolCollegiate grammar School, EnniskillenCrumlin Integrated Collegedalriada School, Ballymoney de la Salle College, Belfastde la Salle High School, Downpatrick dominican College, Belfastdown High School, Downpatrick Edmund Rice College, NewtownabbeyFort Hill College, LisburnFriends’ School, Lisburnglenlola Collegiate School, Bangorgrosvenor grammar School, BelfastHazelwood Integrated College, Newtownabbey

Hunterhouse College, Belfastlagan College, Belfastlarne grammar School laurelhill Community College, Lisburnlimavady grammar School lismore Comprehensive School, Craigavonlisneal College, Derry~Londonderrymalone Integrated College, Belfastmarkethill High Schoolmethodist College, Belfastmount lourdes grammar School, EnniskillenNew-bridge Integrated College, BanbridgeNewtownbreda High School, BelfastNorthern Regional CollegeOmagh AcademyOur lady and St Patrick’s College, KnockOur lady’s grammar School, NewryPortadown College Portora Royal School, EnniskillenRainey Endowed School, Magherafelt Rathmore grammar School, BelfastRegent House School, Newtownards Sacred Heart College, OmaghSt brigid’s College, Derry~LondonderrySt Catherine’s College, ArmaghSt Cecilia’s College, Derry~LondonderrySt Colman’s High School, BallynahinchSt Columb’s College, Derry~LondonderrySt Joseph’s High School, CrossmaglenSt Killian’s College, BallymenaSt louis grammar School, Ballymena

St louis grammar School, KilkeelSt malachy’s College, Belfast St mary’s Christian brothers’ grammar School, BelfastSt mary’s High School, LurganSt mary’s High School, LimavadySt Patrick’s bilateral, Co-Ed College, MagheraSt Patrick’s High School, KeadySt Patrick’s High School, LisburnSt Paul’s High School, BessbrookShimna Integrated College, Newcastle South Eastern Regional CollegeSperrin Integrated College, MagherafeltStrathearn School, BelfastSullivan upper School, Holywood The Royal belfast Academical InstitutionThe Royal School, ArmaghThornhill College, Derry~Londonderryulidia Integrated College, CarrickfergusVictoria College, Belfast wallace High School, Lisburnwellington College, Belfast

25K AwARdSmentorsAisleen RiceEoin lambkinJulie TaylorChris lomasNorman ApsleyAndrew walmsleybrendan mooneyJude lynchmichael KeltaiAidan langanIan mcCannStephen SimpsonTristan brittain dissontColin walshbrian Cummings

Ann-marie Slavingary HamiltonHal wilson

Judging Panel bryan Keating, MATRIXCiaran mcgivern, Bank of IrelandCaolan Small, DowJonathan white, Ansonsdaniel Crowley, VCJim mcIlroy, Actavismichael Crossey, Intel

ENTERPRISE FORumPanellistsRory Caren, IBMAndy Hopper, Prof of Computer Technology & Head of the University of Cambridge Computer Laboratorymervyn middleby, BBC Northern Irelandmark Taylor, BBC Northern IrelandShane Fitzpatrick, BBCRichard Stirling, Open Data InstituteCarol Tullo, The National ArchivesEoin mcFadden, DETIStephen Sloan, Momentum NIben greene, SAP

INNOVATION FOuNdER OF THE yEARJudging PanelCiaran mcgivern, Bank of Irelanddr Hugh Cormican, Innovation Founder of the Year 2011/12Tom Eakin, Innovation Founder of the Year 2012/13Norman Apsley, NISP

[25]

nIsp trustIn 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.

Some of the fantastic private sector entrepreneurs we strive to serve. Photo corteousy of: Suki Dhanda // www.sukidhanda.com // Observer Tech Monthly

we’re wInnInG...

NIS

PCO

NN

ECT

Ann

ual R

epor

t 201

3/14

C

atal

ysin

g In

nova

tion

[27]

fInancIalsfunDinG 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

NISP CONNECT Income & Expenditure for three years to year ending 31/03/14 (all figures in £)

we’re 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?

@NIspcoNNect+44 (0) 28 9073 7800www.nIspconnect.orG

eNQUIrIes to:trudY parrYspecIal eveNts aNd programme co-ordINator, NISP CONNECT

trudy.parry@nispconnect.org+44 (0) 28 9073 7800

The Innovation CentreNorthern Ireland Science ParkQueen’s RoadQueen’s IslandBelfast BT3 9DTMore at: www.nispconnect.org

European Union

European RegionalDevelopment FundInvesting in your future

NIsp coNNect Is proUdly part-fUNded by

the eUropeaN regIoNal developmeNt

fUNd UNder the eUropeaN sUstaINable

competItIveNess programme for

NortherN IrelaNd 2007-2013

@NIspcoNNect+44 (0) 28 9073 7800www.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 knowledge-based 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: