€16.5 million capital investment in equipment for Irish industry research
The successful applicants to the 2023 Capital Equipment Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland through the Technology Gateway and Technology Centre Programmes have been announced. 48 successful projects from across the third-level sector have secured €16.5 million in funding to assist them in purchasing world-leading research equipment that will serve the research, development and innovation (RD&I) needs of Irish industry.
The funding will provide companies with access to both established and leading-edge equipment hosted by Technology Gateways and Technology Centres across Ireland.
The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway and Technology Centre Programmes are responsible for over 1,500 collaborations each year between Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Multinational Companies, on market focused strategic RD&I projects in co-ordination with Ireland’s research institutions at both a national and regional level.
The awardees were selected through a rigorous evaluation process based on eligibility criteria for the call which included, but was not limited to, a strong track record of industry engagement, a significant industrial need for the new equipment, and space to service and maintain the equipment according to international standards.
Since 2019 the Capital Equipment Fund administered by Enterprise Ireland has funded over 200 equipment purchases with a total value of €44 million.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney T.D. said: “Driving innovation across Ireland’s enterprise sector is paramount and providing the infrastructure needed to facilitate this innovation is essential. That is why I am pleased to announce this additional €16.5 million worth of equipment across the Technology Centres and Technology Gateways network. This builds on the previous calls of the Fund, bringing the total investment to €44 million over the last four years.
“This new state-of the-art equipment across the network will help companies become competitive and resilient and will address important needs within all sectors. It will also strengthen industry collaboration with our third-level sector, benefiting all involved.”
Marina Donohoe, Divisional Manager, Research & Innovation at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Companies across all sectors have challenges associated with sustainability, digitalisation, and the very recent advances in Artificial Intelligence. The additional equipment funded by this call, coupled with the items already available from the previous funding, will help companies gain and maintain a competitive advantage both at home and abroad through the development of innovative new products, services and manufacturing process technologies. I expect the outcomes of this call to have a strategic impact on Irish Industry for years to come.”
Technology Gateway Programme
17 Technology Gateways in five Technological Universities and Dundalk IT deliver innovation expertise to industry across Ireland. These Gateways provide companies of all sizes with access to over 350 highly skilled and industrially focused researchers, together with specialist equipment and facilities. The Enterprise Ireland Technology Gateway Programme is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the ERDF Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-27.
Each Technology Gateway focuses on key technology areas aligned to industry needs. Companies all over Ireland are using Technology Gateways to develop new or better products and services and smarter ways of doing things.
