Cutting edge research facility now open to help Wicklow businesses
OPEN Labs, a cutting edge research and development facility for small businesses and startups in Wicklow, is now up and running.
Open Labs by DIT Hothouse was established to address the financial and technical barriers facing smaller businesses in Wicklow when participating in early-stage research.
It will provide SMEs with funding guidance and access to over 600 DIT researchers and experts working in five critical high-tech sectors - Product Prototyping, Virtual Reality, Internet of Things, Data Analysis for Business and Innovative Surface Coatings
DIT Hothouse is well-known in enterprise and innovation circles for hugely successful companies, such as Kastus, which arose from the commercialisation of intellectual property created by DIT researchers.
However, Open Labs is a new initiative which Paul Maguire, Senior Innovation Portfolio Manager in DIT Hothouse, believes will foster greater collaboration between DIT researchers and SMEs.
‘Early stage research is often high risk and requires significant investment meaning many small businesses are effectively restrained from developing product ideas. Open Labs by DIT Hothouse will allow a company to develop a product idea using DIT researcher expertise, labs and equipment essentially creating an external R&D wing for the company.’
The Open Labs process is designed to be business-friendly, with a team of DIT researchers working to complete an R&D project in a mutually agreed timespan. Maguire said: ‘Open Labs will support a business through each product development phase from writing the technical brief, outlining what research skills and lab equipment are required, evaluating funding options, and finally the timely delivery of the product to suit business needs.’
One feature of the Open Labs offering that is particularly attractive to SMEs is the expert funding advice that Paul and his team can provide.
‘Our team will work closely with each Open Labs partner to determine which funding option is suitable - state, private or collaborative options. For example, a smaller project may be well suited to an Innovation Voucher from Enterprise Ireland which will fund product development up to €5,000 allowing the company to retain any intellectual property. Other options include a mix of state and private funding such as the InterTradeIreland FUSION programme or an Enterprise Ireland Innovation Partnership with DIT. Moreover, once the funding option is agreed upon, we will support the business through each step of the funding application process.’
Professor Brian O’Neill, Director of Research, Enterprise and Innovation Services at DIT, says the founding of Open Labs by DIT Hothouse is a hugely significant opportunity for SMEs, DIT and the economic development of Wicklow.
‘Open Labs will not only allow an SME to explore or expand its R&D activity, but it will also demonstrate the talent and real world problem-solving skills of DIT researchers working across the Institute. Open Labs will maximise DIT research capabilities in important high-tech sectors, which are key to establishing Ireland as a Global Innovation Leader while creating high-value jobs and delivering pioneering products of enduring societal impact.’
Businesses can register their interest by visiting http://dit.ie/ hothouse/openlabs/.