Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT ) has been presented with an award by the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Conor Lenihan, for being among the top five knowledge providers (out of 41 on the island ) for completion of Enterprise Ireland innovation voucher projects.
Over 1,000 small Irish firms have used a €5,000 innovation voucher which allows them to link with college researchers to solve business and technical problems.
Offaly-based Cúltec has developed a synthetic hurley which has all the positive characteristics of an ash hurley but none of its limitations. Supported by innovation vouchers, testing and performance analysis of the Cúltec hurley was carried out by AIT’s Materials Research Institute. Having carefully examined these results the GAA gave the Cúltec hurley its seal of approval.
According to Tom Wright of Cúltec, “We were extremely lucky to have innovation vouchers and access to the knowledge of modern technologies and testing methods available in AIT. Without their help there is no doubt that we would not find ourselves in the position we are in today.”
Barry Egan, regional director of Enterprise Ireland, said “AIT has completed a remarkable level of innovation voucher projects with small companies, helping them to solve business and technical challenges and enabling them to move their business on to the next level through innovative practices.”
AIT is encouraging small companies across the Midlands to apply for a €5,000 Enterprise Ireland innovation voucher during the next call for applications for standard vouchers in October. Applications for 50-50 co-funded vouchers may be submitted anytime.
For more information regarding innovation vouchers or accessing the research and development resources of AIT, contact Michael Lonergan, manager, Midlands Innovation and Research Centre, at (090 ) 6471882 or email [email protected].
