UKSPA Directory 2017 2017-18 | Page 63

UKSPA Directory 2017 Northern Ireland | Full Member •  Springboard: Open to innovation companies with high growth potential, this is a personalised accelerator programme, based on a unique network of experienced entrepreneurs, whose collective knowledge will challenge and coach to help maximise opportunity and reduce go-to-market risk •  Invent: Our annual competition showcases and rewards local innovations that promise the greatest potential. It’s an opportunity to gain high-profile exposure, to market- validate ideas, unlock a quality network of influencers, and win a place on the annual NI Tech Mission to California •  Generation Innovation: Energises the imaginations and aspirations of local young people by increasing their awareness of careers as innovators. They are central to unlocking our future as a globally renowned knowledge economy. That’s why we put them at the heart of an inspirational network of experienced entrepreneurs, universities, and employers. K nowledge Economy Inde x Since 2002, Catalyst Inc has demonstrated a successful sustainable model of passionate, effective support to cultural and economic change in Northern Ireland. Annually, we publish the independently- produced Knowledge Economy Index (KEI). The only one of its kind in the UK, the 2016 KEI showed that for the last three years we have been the second fastest growing region in the UK. 063 “Our vision is for Northern Ireland to become one of the most entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030” TechWatch Want to find out more about the tech scene in Northern Ireland? Our fortnightly, award-winning digest will keep you up to date. It covers NI’s burgeoning scene of tech start-ups, investors, spin-outs, and inventors, in areas including: software, Big Data, IoT, agri-food, AI, life & health, aerospace and manufacturing. Future Pl ans With plans to increase our physical footprint and grow our support for entrepreneurs and innovation, Catalyst Inc is set to be a major stimulus that will fulfill our vision to see Northern Ireland become one of the most entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030. www.catalyst-inc.org ■ Sit e s Catalyst Inc Belfast Almost 300,000 sq ft of high‑tech workspaces across seven buildings, adaptable for everything from wet labs to desk-based work and from single-desk tenants to global organisations. The Queen’s University Belfast Institute of Electronics, Communications and IT is also co-located here. Catalyst Inc Nor th West The EU INTERREG IVA- funded project’s 50,000 sq ft Innovation Centre has its own Data Centre and is home to specialists in enterprise software, digital media, health, bioscience, and clean tech. Catalyst Inc Mid & East Antrim Opened in June 2017, the Innovation Centre provides approximately 22,000 sq ft over four floors with shared and private workspaces, formal and informal meeting spaces, and excellent conference facilities alongside quality catering and business s upport. Letterkenny IT CoLab The cross-border reach of Catalyst Inc is further enhanced through its partnership with Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT), where a 20,000 sq ft extension to its successful CoLab opened in the summer of 2015. C o ntact detai l s Mervyn Watley T: +44 (0)2890 737800 E: [email protected] C ont a c t de t a ils Eliza Harvey T: +44 (0)2871 867600 E: [email protected] C o n ta ct d e ta i l s Colette Lyness T: +44 (0)2871 867600 E: [email protected] C o n ta ct d e ta i l s Letterkenny IT CoLab T: +353 (0)74 9186703 E: [email protected]