1. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Looking West: University-Industry partnership at the Edge of Europe Patrick V. Kelly, B.A.(Mod.), Ph.D., MInstP Commercialisation Executive – Physical Sciences and Photonics Ignite Technology Transfer Office National University of Ireland, Galway (a NASC partner) Title:Workshop 08A29 - University and Industry at work Organisers:University-Industry: a key link towards regional growth Code:08A29: Theme A - Innovating regions: Promoting research, technological development and innovation

2. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 West Ireland - Living at the Edge of Europe

3. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Peripheral locations create own advantages West Ireland civilised society has flourished for at least 5500 years (Europe’s oldest enclosed farm) Region devastated by Famine 1845-1851 and emigration Marconi radio station at Clifden 1907-1926 was the hub for European telecommunications to North America First transatlantic flight to Europe landed Clifden, 1919 Drive to industrial development since 1958 – 450% growth in Galway City population Mace Head Atmospheric Physics station (1958) is key global link in climate change research Galway is nearest Northern European City to North America Large number of high tech start- ups through the West of Ireland

4. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 NASC – West Ireland’s link to Europe - based on 5 Irish-speaking counties Cork County Council Donegal County Council Galway City Council Galway County Council Kerry County Council Mayo County Council The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUI Galway) Údarás na Gaeltachta West Regional Authority

5. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Galway – A vibrant knowledge economy city University (NUI Galway) 1845 Institute of Technology 1969 Global Medical Device Industry centre Mix of Multinational Companies and Irish Start-Up Companies 1946 Population 16,000 2006 Population 72,729 6 th largest city in Ireland Population anchor for the Connacht/West region First University in Ireland with full service technology transfer office and business innovation centre (1984) Most successful technology transfer office in Ireland at the hub of the NASC region

6. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 NUI Galway Research Priorities build on strengths of university, region, industry Thematic Priorities Biomedical Science and Engineering Biomedical Science and Engineering Environment, Marine and Energy Applied Social Sciences & Public Policy Informatics, Physical & Computational Sciences Humanities in Context Fundamental/ Theoretical Continuum of Research Activities Applied Cross-thematic activities Photonics and Imaging High Performance computing/ bioinformatics Ethics and bioethical research Digital Technologies

7. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Ignite Technology Transfer NUI Galway - one of the most active TTOs in Ireland….. Why? Expertise in protection and exploitation of IP Promotion of technology developments Strong supports for inventors, entrepreneurs, campus companies Campus Entrepreneurial training programmes in place Successful spin-outs from NUI Galway research programmes Innovation Centre with incubation and wet laboratory facilities housing 26 companies TTI programme facilitates industry innovation partnership projects High level of Research Income annually Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Specialists are embedded in the regional University TTOs –ICT, BIO, Industrial Technologies specialists –Assigned to a number of institutions – based in one, e.g. NUI Galway

8. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 ignite Technology Transfer NUI Galway Dr. John Kavanagh Director Ignite Technology Transfer Dr Maura Glennon Commercialisation Specialist(EI) Bio/Life Sciences Dr Jacinta Thornton Commercialisation Executive Bio/Life Sciences Dr. Ruairi Friel Commercialisation Executive Bio/Life Sciences Dr James Walsh Commercialisation Specialist(EI) Bio/Life Sciences Dr Neil Ferguson Commercialisation Executive ICT/Engineering Dr Pat Kelly Commercialisation Executive Physical Sciences John McGuire Commercialisation Executive ICT Dr Paul Butler Commercialisation Specialist (EI) Industrial Products IP Specialist (TBA) Fiona Neary Business Development Manager Niamh Corcoran TTI Outreach Program Manager Michelle Bradley TTI Project Executive Hughie McCormack TTI Project Executive Clodagh Barry CCP/SUS Program Manager Patricia Walsh Executive Administration Head Ann Byrne Administrative Assistant Facility Manager (TBA) ICT/Eng/Phys. Sci. Industrial Products Team BioTech Team Business Development / Outreach Team © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008

9. TTO 2007 highlights 24 License agreements signed 4 spin-outs Over €2.5m License income generated 4 out of 8 EI annual Industrial awards 30 Invention disclosures 95 NDA’s & 35 MTA’s signed 30+ Innovation Partnership projects approved (€2.3m generated) Initiated new TTO training programmes

10. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Innovation Vouchers and Partnerships Innovation Voucher – –introductory “free pass” to pay for short loop research project in the University for small companies –National voucher €5k; BMW region voucher €15k –Brings non-innovating industry to the university Innovation Partnership (Enterprise Ireland part-funded) –Most successful programme to link university and industry –Public-private partnership – driven by industry (i.e. market) need –Up to 80% funding depending on size of company and type of project and collaborative nature of project (15% bonus) –Up to 250k€ project over 12-18 months; larger in some cases –University owns IP; Company gets option to licence the IP –Compliant with EU State Aid Rules –NUI Galway does over 30 such projects every year

11. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 An environment which promotes Entrepreneurialism & Innovation and enhances spin out formation and new business growth What’s available ? - Facilities & Services 25 Incubation units ranging in size from 300 – 750sq. Feet 6 Bio-Incubator laboratories or ‘wet-lab’ space along with a core lab Serviced office facilities including bband, line rental, conferencing, meeting rooms. Access to resources such as labs, testing, specialised equipment, expertise, Very competitive rates Hot Desk facility for short term rental Support structures in place to assist in the development of your company WE ARE FULL – NEW PLANS UNDERWAY FOR EXTENSION!!!! NUI Galway Business Innovation Centre

12. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 It isn’t all about start-ups! Technology transfer models –The start-up company –Incubation – may produce start-up or may divert to licence –Licensing of technology to larger company –Provision of commercial research services –Transfer of competent educated researchers to industry Start-ups may not produce the large industry cluster –The start-up is not for every researcher –For the investors, the company is the product to be sold! –Many start-ups sold off by investors are often exported Genuine R&D operations of multinationals are needed –“R” as well as “D” –University as the “R” of the industry R&D function –Relationship building with existing and potential industries

13. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Embedding R&D in the West of Ireland Ireland needs genuine R&D functions to embed here Far too much core R&D is kept in at mother plant We need a strategy to prise out that R&D The “foot in the door” strategy –Offer skilled researchers who won’t relocate out of Ireland –Offer solutions to known problems –Make yourself needed The “licence” strategy –Make yourself their R&D department by stealth

14. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Regional Initiatives in the West of Ireland Border, Midlands and Western Regional Authority –Covers entire area of Connacht, NW Leinster, SW Ulster Western Development Commission –Province of Connacht plus counties Clare and Donegal West Regional Authority –Counties of Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, City of Galway LookWest.ie –Promoting Relocation to the Province of Connacht County and City Enterprise Boards (6 in Connacht, 3 in SW Ulster) Atlantic University Alliance Technology Transfer Initiative (to 2008) –Galway-Limerick-Cork “Atlantic Corridor” Údarás na Gaeltachta (= “The Irish-speaking-region Authority”) –Irish speaking regions nationwide, but mostly on the west coast NASC (=“Link”) –Direct regional representation of the West of Ireland in Brussels –Special focus on counties with an Irish-speaking area (“Gaeltacht”) –Counties of Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Donegal, City of Galway, National University of Ireland Galway, plus other Gaeltacht areas

15. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Academics + Business Experts = Companies Technologist

16. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 It’s a nice place to live and work… Quality of Life Luring Professionals West 96% of those who have relocated would recommend the move The results of the fourth annual Collins McNicholas re-location survey released today (Tuesday 16th September 2008) shows that 96% of professionals who recently relocated to the West, North West or Midlands regions would recommend such a move to others. MAIN FINDINGS Overall, 96% of respondents would recommend relocating to the regions. 85% of people’s work-life balance improved since they relocated. 86% of respondents now commute to and from work in less than 40 minutes. 74% of respondents received increase or similar remuneration package when they relocated. 65% of respondents said lower property prices were a factor in their decision to relocate. 84% of respondents were educated to Degree level or higher. 49% of professionals surveyed relocated from outside of Ireland. A more relaxed atmosphere, safer environment and less traffic were the top three attractions expressed by people surveyed subsequent to relocating. Medical Devices (17%), Pharmaceutical (16%), Manufacturing (14%) and Engineering (13%) were the most popular sectors of employment for those who relocated.

17. © National University of Ireland, Galway, 2008 Measures of success An accepted technology transfer culture on campus Satisfied, professionally fulfilled and well-rewarded researchers Delighted industrial licensees who want to locate nearby New companies – both high potential and steady growth types A university respected for its technological innovation Regional economic growth and leadership in niche strengths Sustainable population growth in region