UPCOMING SEMINAR - Funding for Innovation, Research & Development For your Business

Spotlight on – the Agile Innovation Fund

Date:  27th January 2022
Time: 12.30pm to 1.30PM
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Event Aim
The aim of this event is to provide attendees with an understanding of the Agile Innovation Fund and how it can be utilised to support small businesses seeking to undertake innovation and research activities.

What is the Agile Innovation Fund?
The Agile Innovation Fund will allow companies, including small companies, to access up to 45% or 50% in support for product, process or service development projects with a total cost of up to €300,000. The following costs are grant aid able:

  • Existing wages
  • Existing overheads
  • Outside consultancy
  • Raw materials
  • Travel

Eligible Small businesses located in Kilkenny who are not Enterprise Ireland client may apply for the fund through Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny.  More information on the Agile Innovation Fund at Agile Innovation Fund - Enterprise Ireland (enterprise-ireland.com)

This event is suitable for businesses who:

  • Plan on investing in an R&D or Business Innovation Project
  • An R&D project is one which aims to create a new product or service
  • A Business Innovation project aims to put in place a change to business operations, organisational methods or to create a new business model

Open to:

  • All registered companies that are trading and have positive EBITDA
  • Irish-based manufacturing with export potential or internationally traded services company
  • The business must have adequate cash resources to implement the proposed RD&I project

Agenda:


12.30  - Welcome & Introduction
Aileen McGrath, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny

12.35 - What is the Agile Innovation Fund?
Meet the Enterprise Ireland R&D Team
Presentation by Padraig Doolan, Technical Advisor, RD&I Fund, In Company R&D Supports unit, Enterprise Ireland
Presentation detailing the Agile Fund, eligibility criteria, application / assessment process

Joe Madden (Dept. Manager) and Debbie Nolan (Executive), In Company R&D Supports unit, Enterprise Ireland will be in attendance on the day and available for questions.

13.00 - Case Studies – Examples of Successful projects under the Agile Innovation Fund.
Presented by John Daly & Aidan O Connor, of the Pembroke Alliance.

John and Aidan have worked with 30 businesses in recent year and supported their Agile Innovation application journey. These applications have ranged in value from €20,000 to €150,000 and have been across multiple sectors including food manufacturing, engineering, furniture, tech and pharma.

13.20 Questions & Answers/ Open Forum
All speakers and the Enterprise Ireland R&D team are available for Q&A during this event and to assist with any business specific queries you have. Further follow up is available after the event.

Speaker Information

Padraig Doolan Enterprise Ireland

Dr. Padraig Doolan is currently Technical Advisor to the Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) Fund at Enterprise Ireland. Padraig is a former Research Fellow and has co-authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications & filed 5 patents in biotechnology. In 2012, Padraig launched an ICT company, eventually successfully licensing the technology 5 years later. Padraig has since won two Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Awards in biotechnology and in his current role is seeking to engage SMEs and LEO Clients with the RD&I Fund.

John Daly & Aidan O Connor – The Pembroke Alliance
https://www.pembrokealliance.com/

John Daly Pembroke Alliance

John Daly founded and built several manufacturing companies including Feldhues in Clones that manufactures “Billy Bear” the smiling ham, which is exported all over Europe and Swift Fine Foods who were the first ready meal company to supply ready meals to the hot food counters in the 32 Counties. John has completed several Turnkey factories including a yogurt, dairy and cooked meat plants. Sine 2011 John has spearheaded the growth of Pembroke Alliance to being one of the main providers of Lean across the 32 counties with savings of between €20k and €1.1m achieved in over 200 companies since 2011. The areas covered in Lean included, food, Engineering, furniture, medical devices, tech, horticulture, dairy, piggeries, etc. John has extensive experience in M & A, banking and raising finance.

Aidan O Connor

Aidan O Connor is a Mechanical Engineer with 20 years’ experience in multi-national Health Care companies at Engineering and Plant management level. He has wide experience in worldwide High-Tech Technology Transfer projects and customer servicing both for European and Irish companies. Senior Partner in RPI Associates, offering consultancy services in the areas of R&D, Business Innovation and Automation Techniques. Aidan is a voluntary, long-time private member of the Enterprise Ireland RD&I Committee. Graduate of TU (Dublin) and Trinity College (Dublin) and is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland.

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