Industry to Benefit from €6 million Enterprise Ireland Research Equipment Investment

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD today announced the successful applicants of the Capital Equipment Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland through the Technology Gateway and Technology Centre Programmes. 37 successful applicants from across the Third Level Sector have secured over €6 million in funding.

The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme funds interactions between local and national industry and the Institutes of Technology and aims to increase collaboration and enterprise development at both a regional and national level.

The Technology Centres programme is a joint initiative between Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland and allows Irish companies and multinationals to work together on market-focused strategic R&D projects in collaboration with research institutions.

The Capital Funding Programme provides industry with access to critical, leading-edge equipment and infrastructure which will help them to build resilience and to remain globally competitive, particularly in the face of challenges such as those posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

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

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation Heather Humphreys TD said: “The Technology Gateway and Technology Centre programmes aim to bring Irish companies together with Irish research institutes to provide near-to-market innovation and solutions in a range of areas, both regionally and nationally. This fund directly supports innovative projects that are emerging from the ground up, providing the necessary technology to our Technology Gateways and Technology Centres to nurture and develop cutting edge research projects.

I am confident the successful projects announced today have the potential to make a positive impact for the benefit of wider society including the development of innovative solutions and methodologies to address immediate national and global needs with respect to the COVID-19 crisis.”

Speaking about the announcement Gearoid Mooney, Divisional Manager, Research & Innovation at Enterprise Ireland said: “Access to the best in class technologies can provide a step-change in how companies innovate and develop new and globally differentiated products and services. This important investment in equipment coupled with the support and expertise of our Technology Gateways and Technology Centres will help companies adapt, survive and, ultimately, thrive in the face of the current economic challenges.”