Cork Institute of Technology: A National Leader in Innovation

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In 2018, Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) carried out a whopping 85 Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher projects. This positions CIT as one of the leading knowledge providers in the country in this particular programme. Up from 58 Innovation Voucher projects in 2017, CIT is an ever-growing support for local business and the voucher programme is an ideal mechanism for  growing links with enterprise in the region.

Innovation Vouchers are funded by Enterprise Ireland and are worth €5,000. The vouchers are made available to small to medium sized  companies to investigate a business opportunity or a problem, with the assistance of a higher education institution. Vouchers can be also be pooled by groups of companies to address a shared problem (eg. Energy and environmental issues).

The success of the Innovation Voucher programme in CIT is due to its high calibre academic staff and the quality of its research centres. These research centres include;

  • CAPPA – Centre for Advanced Photonics and Process Analysis  www.cappa.ie/
  • Nimbus – Leading Research Centre in Cyber-Physical Systems & Internet of Things https://www.nimbus.cit.ie/

“The work being delivered by the Nimbus Technology Gateway is pivotal to Smart Factory’s Industry 4.0 services offering. The team have been very innovative and the whole experience to date has certainly been worthwhile, amazing value and rewarding. We are currently planning further projects with the Nimbus Technology Gateway for 2019 and beyond.” Brendan Sheppard – CEO, Smart Factory Solutions

The application process is easy and any company can apply for funding once it is registered with the Companies Registration Office. Entrepreneurs from CIT’s incubator, the Rubicon, and from across the region make great use of the Innovation Vouchers. “CIT’s research centres are outward facing and interested in collaborating with companies and organisations across all sectors of the economy. CIT has a breadth of research and innovation talent working with companies and organisations looking to innovate and solve problems” said CIT’s Innovation & Enterprise Manager , Josette O’ Mullane.

Calls for applications happen 3 times a year and last for 2 weeks at a time.

The next window for applications is until Wednesday 15th May 2019 at 3pm. www.innovationvouchers.ie

For more information on CIT’s and Innovation Vouchers you can contact the CIT Innovation and Enterprise Office at innovation@cit.ie.