Vision & Strategy

Vision: 

“To be an International Leader in the Commercialisation of Research and other Knowledge-Intensive Activity for the benefit of NUI Galway, the Economy and Society”.  Its main overarching goal is to support the commercialisation of all university intellectual property in a manner that ensures maximum benefit to Ireland’s society and economy.

Strategy:

Ignite TTO is the partner of choice in knowledge transfer for economic development; pioneering the path to commercialisation for new technologies. Bringing together specialists in knowledge transfer and business development, we partner with investigators and enterprise to translate innovations into practice. We are committed to a creative, solutions-oriented approach to licensing, ventures and research that deliver opportunities to create value.

This vision statement is in line with the overall NUIG strategy for TT and Innovation which focuses. The NUIG Strategy details an increased emphasis on TT and Innovation.  NUIG’s vision statement positions NUIG as “a powerful instrument for social, cultural and economic transformation…….which underpins the knowledge and innovation economy”. The development of a structure “capable of the commercial exploitation of research findings” will play a key part in further establishing the role of the Ignite TTO as central to NUIG’s priorities. One of the goals and targets of the NUIG strategic plan is to “continue to integrate and refine technology transfer services in line with the needs of researchers and the various funding agencies”.

Helping Businesses

Investment Forums

The TTO regularly showcase NUI Galway new technologies to interested third parties. The aim here is twofold, pitching protected technologies to gain serious business feedback and expertise as business partners or investment opportunities depending on the entrepreneurs/investor invited to the showcase.

The TTO are continuously looking to partner with industry to build on their network of business partners and experts in all sectors. If you are interested in partaking in one of our showcases please contact the TTO.

Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR)

The EIR is a previously successful entrepreneur with a wealth of knowledge & experience who provides business consulting, networking, mentoring and coaching to clients and students. NUIG have 2 such EIRs who support the university in activities such as:

• The evaluation and validation of potential investments
• Validation of business plans or propositions
• Creating awareness of entrepreneurship through our masters and PhD programmes
• Mentoring support where appropriate

The TTO aimis to broaden this programme and allow for more EIRs to become part of the team. If you are interested in partaking in our EIR programme please contact the TTO.

R&D Collaborative opportunities

Building relationships, partnerships and trust between industry and academia is of utmost importance to NUI Galway TTO and one which can be of mutual benefit to both parties especially when it can lead to commercial successes. Examples of this outreach activity can be seen in the TTO involvement in the Licencing opportunities to 3 ^rd parties, Innovation Partnership Programme, Innovation Voucher programme, IRCSET Enterprise programme etc.

If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities and engaging with NUI Galway as a collaborative partner please contact the Ignite TTO and we will be happy to assist you.

• For more information on our collaborative R&D : https://www.nuigalway.ie/business-industry/partner-with-us/
• For more information on our Technology Flyers: LINK
• For more information on our You Tube offerings: LINK

Link to Research Centers of Excellence NUIG

Whatever your business support need, technology query, collaborative potential or commercialisation opportunity, the Ignite TTO team offers an innovative and supportive environment to assist and guide you to internal centres of excellence where the inventions of tomorrow are already taking place.

Various types are projects are supported as NUI Galway is strongly committed to sustaining local business development as much as possible as seen by our outputs over the last few years.

Please click here to view a list of the centres of excellence in NUI Galway

Media

NUIGLWAY TTO ARE VERY ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND INVITE YOU TO FOLLOW US ON OUR LINKS BELOW.

Check out our Social Web:

Success Stories

NUI Galway identified by Google: 

 Professor Gearoid O’Laighin whom heads up the Electronic Engineering Research Cluster, partnered with John McGuire of the Ignite Technology Transfer Office to secure android devices to help with research.

“At Google, we are committed to develop new technologies to help our users find and use information. While we do significant in-house research and engineering, we also maintain strong ties with academic institutions worldwide pursuing innovative research in core areas relevant to our mission. As part of that vision, the Google Research Awards program identified Prof. Gearoid O’ Laighin and his team as pursuing research in areas of mutual interest.” Google.

“This is a great opportunity for Electronic Engineering to get involved with Google Research and we very much appreciate Google’s support in this program. We look forward to working more closely with Google in the future years ahead.” John McGuire, Commercialisation Executive, Ignite Technology Transfer Office, NUI Galway.

J.E Cairnes Schools of Business and Ignite TTO NUIGalway deliver on Successful Innovative Program:

Final year BSc. Business Information Systems (BIS) students have been working with entrepreneurial companies in a very successful and innovative collaboration with John McGuire in the Ignite TTO. The programme aims to bridge the gap between industry and education by providing students with real-world experiential learning and companies with access to ideas, insights and resources tailored to their business needs.
 
This year the Ignite TTO identified five start-up companies for the final year BIS students to work with. The five startup companies chosen to participate were (i) Advance Science  (ii) Exploreirelandtours.ie      (iii) Trazoo Ltd     (iv)  EduBase Ltd  (v) Enspire Ltd  who are supported  through Ignite TTO’s Business Development Manager Fiona Neary.
 
The students, working in groups, were challenged draw on their business and technology background to provided value to their start-up company.  Working over period of 11 weeks the students worked closely with the entrepreneurs to understand the product offering and to recommend suitable BIS related activities and strategies to the companies. The project culminated with a detailed report unique to each company and a presentation session where the students were challenged further on their recommendations.

“This is our 2nd year running such programs with TTO. It is an excellent learning experience for BIS students whilst provide value to the entrepreneurial companies. We are certainly looking forward to running this program again in 2012. “  Martin Hughes, Lecturer in Business Information Systems and Director of the BSc. BIS

“Trazoo was delighted to receive the opportunity to participate in the program with the Business Information Systems’ students. Working with the students not only provided us with valuable market analysis and data in the UK, it threw up some fresh and innovative ideas which will benefit Trazoo in the future. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this program as a helpful resource to other businesses.”

-  Pádraig Neylon, Co-Founder, Trazoo

For more information on any of the companies who took part please contact;

padraig@trazoo.ie

dara@advancescience.com

caitriona@edubase.ie

alex@seevl.net

denis@enspiretechnologies.eu

Converting business ideas into reality

Ennis Innovate an initiative supported by NUI Galway, is a Regional Innovation Centre based in Ennis. It provides support to start-up companies in Clare and environs as they progress from business idea stage to commercialisation. The aim of the Centre is to support and guide companies through the start-up process and provide them with introductions and linkages to relevant support bodies and processes, ultimately improving their chances of success. Ennis Innovate is a resource for all start-up companies providing entrepreneurs with business skills, networks, facilities and supports necessary to navigate the business start-up process. The Centre provides participants with business acumen, concept desk space, mentoring, networking, facilities, and supports necessary to help them in establishing and running their own businesses.

Helping Inventors

1. We work with you to Develop a Technology Roadmap by following this simple process:

2. Business Start up information pack

3. Market Evaluation Podcast & work templates – ‘how to do effective market research’

• Webinar (http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28737612/NUIG_TTO_Marketing%20Webinar.wmv)
• Templates to support the webinar - Guide - Is there a Market for your New Technology
• A presentation on market evaluation that support the webinar - Webinar Presentation
• Sample Q&A answered during the webinar session -Webinar Questions

4.Investment Forums

The TTO regularly showcase NUI Galway new technologies to interested third parties. The aim here is twofold, pitching protected technologies to gain serious business feedback and expertise as business partners or investment opportunities depending on the entrepreneurs/investor invited to the showcase.

The TTO are continuously looking to partner with industry to build on their network of business partners and experts in all sectors. If you are interested in partaking in one of our showcases please contact the TTO.

5. Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR)

The EIR is a previously successful entrepreneur with a wealth of knowledge & experience who provides business consulting, networking, mentoring and coaching to clients and students. NUIG have 2 such EIRs who support the university in activities such as:

• The evaluation and validation of potential investments
• Validation of business plans or propositions
• Creating awareness of entrepreneurship through our masters and PhD programmes
• Mentoring support where appropriate

The TTO aimis to broaden this programme and allow for more EIRs to become part of the team. If you are interested in partaking in our EIR programme please contact the TTO.

6. R&D Collaborative opportunities

Building relationships, partnerships and trust between industry and academia is of utmost importance to NUI Galway TTO and one which can be of mutual benefit to both parties especially when it can lead to commercial successes. Examples of this outreach activity can be seen in the TTO involvement in the Licencing opportunities to 3 ^rd parties, Innovation Partnership Programme, Innovation Voucher programme, IRCSET Enterprise programme etc.

If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities and engaging with NUI Galway as a collaborative partner please contact the Ignite TTO and we will be happy to assist you.

• For more information on our collaborative R&D : https://www.nuigalway.ie/business-industry/partner-with-us/
• For more information on our Technology Flyers: LINK
• For more information on our You Tube offerings: LINK

7. Link to Research Centers of Excellence NUIG

Whatever your business support need, technology query, collaborative potential or commercialisation opportunity, the Ignite TTO team offers an innovative and supportive environment to assist and guide you to internal centres of excellence where the inventions of tomorrow are already taking place.

Various types are projects are supported as NUI Galway is strongly committed to sustaining local business development as much as possible as seen by our outputs over the last few years.

Please click here to view a list of the centres of excellence in NUI Galway

8. Media

NUI Galway TTO are very active on social media and invite you to follow us on our links below.

Check out our Social Web:

9. Market research resources available in the Librar (Click Here)

For further information on your Sector, please contact any of our Commercialisation Executives for your particular Sector on the following link.

http://www.nuigalway.ie/business-industry/contact-an-expert/