Enterprise Ireland
Innovation Vouchers Programme
Irish Software Innovation Network
22nd May 2013
Innovation Vouchers Initiative
• Aim to Build Links between Small Business and Knowledge Providers
• Voucher (€5,000) can be exchanged for Advice and Expertise from the Knowledge Providers
• Projects:
– Require Innovative Solution
– Provide Additional Value for the Business
– Have On-going Benefits
What Are They ?
• Voucher Worth €5,000 Which May Be Exchanged for Advice and Expertise
from the Registered Knowledge Providers
What can the voucher be used for ?
Any kind of innovation such as: • New Product Design / Development • New or Improved Production Process • New business model development; • New service delivery and customer interface; • New service development; • Tailored training in innovation management; • Innovation / technology audit
What is NOT Eligible ?
The Innovation Voucher may not be used for: • achieving compliance with statutory regulations or legislation • standard training courses • software purchases and software development
• aid that would promote/subsidise the cost of exports • internships for students of knowledge institutions • design and production of advertising material • sales activities • business plans and economic appraisals
• standard website development and online optimisation • standard mobile app development • activities such as market research and market surveys that may be readily provided by the private
sector
• activities supported by the mainstream funding mechanisms available from other Development Agencies such as the County Enterprise Board’s
• activities unlikely to result in commercial enterprise or business capable of generating jobs and/or exports
If potential solutions to the knowledge question already exist in the marketplace then
Enterprise Ireland is likely to reject the application on the basis that the proposed activity may be undertaken by the private sector.
Company Eligibility
• All Small Enterprise – Less than 50 Employees, with an Annual
Turnover and / or Balance Sheet Not Exceeding €10m
• Restricted to Registered Limited Companies
Vouchers Available to Companies:
– Two 100% Funded 5k Vouchers per Company
– One 50-50 Voucher Co-Funded Voucher per Company
•(if the company is part of a group, the group must be a small enterprise)
Knowledge Providers
Institutes of Technology
Letterkenny IT
IT Sligo
Athlone IT
Galway-Mayo IT
Limerick IT
IT Tralee
Dundalk IT
IT Blanchardstown
IT Tallaght
IADT
Carlow IT
Cork IT
Waterford IT
Universities
Dublin City University
UCG
St Angela’s Food Centre
University of Limerick
Trinity College Dublin
UCD
Maynooth
UCC
Tyndall Institute
State Agencies & Others
Teagasc
Seafood Research Centre (BIM)
NCI
Northern Ireland
University of Ulster
Queen’s University
6 Regional Colleges
2 State Agencies
Knowledge Providers
• 2,300 vouchers redeemed by companies to 2012 (since 2007)
• Worth approx €11 million
• 767 approved in 2012 (€3.8m)
• 525 redeemed in 2012 (€2.5m)
Statistics
Completing the Standard Application: Knowledge Question
• Company Profile
• The Innovative Idea – Product / Process / Service
• The Issue/Problem – Why Do You Need a Knowledge Provider
• The Deliverables
• How the Innovative Idea Helps the Company
Typically, Half to One Page of Text
Fast Track Application:
Deliverables Confirmed By Knowledge Provider
2013 Programme
• Standard Applications
• 2 Calls completed : January, April
• We expect to have a third call in September but awaiting final confirmation
– Applicant Restrictions:-
• Used <2 Fully funded 5K Vouchers To Date
• No Active Vouchers
• EI Clients: <€300k in Support
• Schedule for the rest of 2013 will be posted on our website www.innovationvouchers.ie as soon as we get confirmation
• ALL Vouchers are Valid for 12 Months
2013 Programme
• APPLY ANYTIME FOR:
– Co-Funded Fast Track Voucher
• Available since February 2010
• Approx 35 approved per year
Further Information
Web Site: www.innovationvouchers.ie
Mike Dolan 01 727 2401
Mary Cahill 01 727 2564 Emails:- [email protected]