The Industry Research & Development Group (IRDG) recently held a seminar at the University of Limerick designed to highlight the benefits of collaboration with Higher Education Institutes for businesses in the Mid West.

Expertise to support Research and Development, funding to ensure companies can be innovative, and case studies demonstrating that research collaboration with third levels really can bring commercial benefit, were the key topics which attracted a huge number of delegates from companies of all sectors and sizes across the region.  

Speaking at the event, Denis Hayes, MD of IRDG said; “For many companies, the need and interest in conducting R&D and innovation is often restricted by a lack of internal skills or resources.  People need to think and look outside their organisations to find the skills, expertise and funding to assist them to grow and develop their businesses.   This seminar will highlight the opportunities of collaboration, whilst also facilitating networking with companies and researchers who have been through collaborative projects before.”

The event was held at the new Nexus Innovation Centre, UL and  included speakers from the LIT, UL and representatives from companies who have successfully partnered with third level including; Powervation, Aerogen and Algae Health.  The availability of R&D funding, specialised equipment and expertise, and a community of experts to collaborate and solve problems all assisted these companies to develop and grow their businesses, progress which may have not been possible without such collaboration. 

This Enterprise Innovation Network (EIN) event was supported by Enterprise Ireland.