NISP CONNECT Annual Report 2014-15 by Andy McDonald

PROGRAMMES

ANNUAL REPORT 2014/15 1

PROGRAMMES

NORTHERN IRELAND CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS... KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY INDEX GROWTH 2009–14

TECH NATION

NORTHERN IRELAND IS WHERE DIGITAL COMPANIES GROW. NO.2 IN UK FOR FASTEST GROWING COMPANIES! NORTHERN IRELAND’S DIGITAL CLUSTER HAS DOUBLED IN SIZE WITHIN FIVE YEARS TO BECOME THE 6TH LARGEST IN THE UK.

2ND FASTEST GROWING REGIONAL KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY IN UK.

...AND SO DOES NISP CONNECT

NI Tech leaders at Buckingham Palace

NISP CONNECT IMPACT

NISP CONNECT BY NUMBERS

Nearly 500 early stage ventures and “wantrepreneurs” engage in our programmes every year. In early 2015 we surveyed 100 entrepreneurs who had participated more deeply in INVENT / 25K / Springboard / Co-Founders. Here’s what the entrepreneurs said: • 98% would recommend NISP CCONNECT to a friend or family member

• • • •

Regarding the unique value of NISP CONNECT: • 85% learned something new • 89% met a valuable contact • 12.5% found employees • 52% met investors • 16% met a co-founder • 25% met customers

•

405 Volunteer roles >4,000 attendees 101 events >£30 million raised by companies 75 Community Partnerships

What’s more, we featured in:

….and on a lighter note, we were even retweeted by Eva Longoria and Stephen Fry!

CHRIS HORN, CHAIR Real progress is taking place in Northern Ireland, and while the growing success of our entrepreneurs is evident every day, it is great to see that independent research supports the fact that something special is happening here. The TechNation report and our own Knowledge Economy Index both prove that all the hard work of so many people is paying off. I can never thank our army of volunteers enough, and credit must also go to our public officials for implementing bold and successful innovation policies. I would like to record my personal thanks to DETI Minister Foster and her officials for their support in seed funding NISP CONNECT, which concluded in March 2015. Let me also extend my gratitude to the Chairman and Board of Northern Ireland Science Park Foundation for not only continuing to underwrite NISP CONNECT, but for providing expansion resources to take things to another level. Lastly, I would like to acknowledge all of the member companies who support NISP CONNECT with their time and resources. Thanks to you, we now have momentum.

STEVE ORR, DIRECTOR Two things happened this year which further fuel my belief that Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurs are on an unstoppable path of progress. First, in the 12 months to March 2015, more than 32 Northern Ireland companies set out to raise over £1M each in funding. Twenty-two of these companies have closed on their investment (two companies took less than £1M) and four others have term sheets offering investment. This is dramatically different to how things were even two years ago, when the vast majority of entrepreneurs were at the pre-seed and seed stages of investment. Second, in December 2014, NISP CONNECT, in collaboration with Belfast City Council and Invest NI, took 16 tech companies to California on the NI Tech Mission. After an exhausting week of pitch forums and customer pitches, one thing was clear: our companies were “Valley Standard” and well able to hold their own with many of the really great companies on the Californian circuit. Massive challenges lie ahead as we embark on the next phase of NISP CONNECT. We need to engage the unengaged, to catalyse a real eco-system and double the dealflow. Please join us. We need your help.

“OUR VISION IS TO TRANSFORM NORTHERN IRELAND INTO ONE OF THE MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL KNOWLEDGE ECONOMIES IN EUROPE BY 2030.” WHAT WE STAND FOR

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

Our vision is to transform Northern Ireland into one of the most entrepreneurial knowledge economies in Europe by 2030. Our core purpose is to mobilise expert business community volunteers to help Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurs to create and scale fast-growth innovation companies.

In April 2014 we set just one critical success factor for the twelve months to March 2015. This was:

If NISP CONNECT is successful, we will have helped to develop a culture of collaboration in Northern Ireland: this is what an innovation ecosystem is really about.

“To design and execute the funding model that ensures the independence, effectiveness and sustainability of NISP CONNECT, while ensuring the diversity of competence in its direction.” We are pleased to report that this critical success factor was achieved.

THE TEAM

STEVE ORR DIRECTOR

ELAINE SMYTH HEAD OF PROGRAMMES

JOHN KNAPTON SPRINGBOARD DIRECTOR

CLAIRE BURGOYNE GENERATION INNOVATION FRAMEWORKS NI KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY

TRUDY PARRY SPECIAL EVENTS & PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR

PETER EDGAR INVENT CO-FOUNDERS WANTED INNOVATION FOUNDER US NI MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME

HOLLY MILLAR SPRINGBOARD CO-ORDINATOR

NATASHA DEENEY DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS CO-ORDINATOR

LEADERSHIP BOARD NORMAN APSLEY NISP

CHRIS GUY MILLS SELIG

ALEC MCRITCHIE BOMBARDIER

PAUL BEANEY ULSTER UNIVERSTIY

NIALL HARKIN DANSKE BANK

JULIE-ANN O’HARE BANK OF IRELAND

TIM BRUNDLE ULSTER UNIVERSITY

CHRIS HORN CHAIR

MICHAEL ROBINSON AFBI

GAVIN CAMPBELL BOMBARDIER

PHILIP MAGUIRE NISP

ALAN TAYLOR ARTHUR COX

HUGH CORMICAN CIRDAN IMAGING

BRIAN MCCAUL QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

ALAN WATTS HALO

PETER FITZGERALD RANDOX LABORATORIES

DAVID MCHUGH SEAGATE

TONY GALLAGHER QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST

HUGH MCKENNA ULSTER UNIVERSITY

MEMBERSHIP THANK YOU BENEFACTOR

We are pleased to welcome one of NI’s leading medical science companies, TG Eakin, as our first Benefactor Member. Visit nispconnect.org/membership if you would like to find out how you could make a contribution to the development of young entrepreneurs and the economy of Northern Ireland.

PLATINUM £10K

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PLATINUM

Official Sponsor

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GOLD £5K

SILVER £2K

PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD

41 GRADUATED TO DATE

11 GRADUATED THIS YEAR

SUMMARY Springboard is a free programme which provides tough love for high growth potential innovations. It operates through an in-business, peer-to-peer coaching process that is specifically tailored to individual participants. Each company interfaces with an average of 25 experts, via organised panel sessions. This process helps to drive thinking and challenge supposition and results in a compelling commercialisation strategy and significantly reduced go-to-market risk.

programme. Now expanded in its scope, the programme succinctly addresses each of the key elements integral to a successful business strategy: market; product; team; governance; commercialisation, financing. Eleven companies graduated Springboard this year, and between them, the forty one graduates to date have accumulated an impressive set of statistics: • >£19Million invested • 170 direct, new jobs created • 650 jobs supported by alumni companies

Springboard is NISP CONNECT’s flagship programme and it continues to grow in its depth of delivery for Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurs. Springboard’s pool of Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiRs) - those who have ‘been there and done that’ - has increased significantly to 52 persons, with an additional 187 domain experts and 116 panellists. This means that the programme is now able to leverage Northern Ireland’s most experienced business mentors, to support Northern Ireland’s most promising. The results are impressive. 95% of Springboard alumni companies remain in business, with close to 75% receiving investment to fund substantial growth. Springboard alumni are 6.5 times more likely to succeed, making them much more investor-ready.

The number of applications has also significantly increased year-onyear, making 2016 a very exciting prospect for Northern Ireland’s entrepreneurs, and for the economy. During the coming year (2016), John Knapton, Springboard Director, will continue to build and leverage SB PLUS, CONNECT’s global network of experts. SB PLUS will use proven networks, managed through bestpractice CONNECT organisations. In the initial phase, these networks will be based in Belfast, San Diego, Gothenberg, Singapore, Copenhagen and Bogota. The addition of these resources on the ground will help the project to significantly increase growth through export.

Holly Millar joined the CONNECT team in January 2015 as Springboard Administrator. Holly’s arrival brings a much-needed extra resource to help manage and schedule more participants through the Springboard

PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD

£19M 170 650 DELIVERABLES KPIs (2014/15)

INVESTED

“Springboard introduced me to a pool of EiRs and Domain Experts - their time and commitment was invaluable. The programme focused on the product, the market, finances and the governance of the business, and as a result, our business now has a very clear direction. In short, Springboard has given me the confidence to take the company to the next level.”

DIRECT, NEW JOBS CREATED

CHRISTINE BOYLE, SENERGY

JOBS SUPPORTED BY ALUMNI COMPANIES USPs

Here is what Springboard offers successful participants: • 6.5X reduction in go-to-market risk • leverage international networks to assist in export activities • content tailored to address identified business gaps • leverage a large team of “critical friends” to challenge and help build a sound business model • delivers real investor readiness • short, sharp programme lasting 16 weeks, allows entrepreneurs to continue running their businesses • introduction to appropriate capital investment opportunities

“Springboard’s bespoke programme was absolutely invaluable to Axial3D’s development as a company, and to me as its founder. From start to finish, the programme was tailored perfectly to our company’s needs. The advice given through the panel presentations and corporate scrubs transformed the company from an innovative idea to a viable business with direction and purpose.”

STEERING TEAM

DANIEL CRAWFORD, AXIAL 3D

Alan Watts (Chair) Jennifer Ferguson (Arthur Cox) Hal Wilson (techstartNI) Caroline McGoran (UU) Brian McCaul (QUB) Alan Gourley (PwC) Ian Beatty (Danske Bank) Kerry McCorkell (Tughans) Chris Guy (Mills Selig) Des Speed (EiR) Andrew Walmsley (EiR) Tom Griffiths (EiR) Dawn McKnight (Carson McDowell)

“Springboard was a transformational experience for CADshare, and for me personally. I entered the process with a concept I thought had potential, and emerged at the other end with a solid foundation for the business and a well-articulated, credible investment proposition. Our EiRs provided world-class guidance and support, and access to the NISP global network of contacts will continue to prove invaluable. Springboard gave us the confidence to know that we really are ‘investor ready’”

CHRIS ACHESON, CADSHARE

PROGRAMMES SPRINGBOARD

SPRINGBOARD EiRs

SOME OF OUR RECENT ALUMNI

“Through the Springboard programme, we benefited from extremely high quality mentoring from Virgin StartUp mentor, Darren Craig. Darren donated time each week to help us resolve the various problems we were facing – from business model generation, to producing a sales strategy and preparing for investment. I can’t stress enough how valuable it was to have such a successful and passionate entrepreneur – someone who has been there and done it himself - giving us regular, hands-on mentoring and help.”

“Graduating from Springboard was a significant milestone for our business. Our EiR supported us with first-class mentorship and gave us a fresh, objective view of our business. By drawing on our EiR’s 30+ years of business experience, and taking guidance from NISP CONNECT, we were able to recruit industry peers, including business directors from sports industry and commercial backgrounds.”

DANNY TURLEY, PERFORMA SPORT

KYLE GAWLEY , GET INVITED 10

PROGRAMMES CO-FOUNDERS WANTED

ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY

STEERING TEAM

Since 2013, Co-Founders Wanted! has enabled 48 founders of early stage startups to pitch to experienced commercial co-founders. The events aim to help founders connect with the talent they need to grow their ventures from ideas, into fully functioning businesses.

Brian Baird (Chair) EiR NISP CONNECT Stephen O’Kane, PWC Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Karla Dooey, Arthur Cox Vincent Farrelly, QUB John Macrae, Ulster University Michael Robinson, AFBI Jason Johnston, Carson McDowell Gabrielle McArdle, Bank of Ireland

Technologies pitched in 2014/2015 included; healthcare data analytics, Fintech software, state-of-the-art simulation engines and wearable neuro-technology, microbial liquids which remediate oil, and innovative solar roofing.

PROGRAMMES INVENT

£33K

OVERALL WINNER

PRIZE FUND

MAIN SPONSOR

92 ENTRANTS

SUMMARY

200 600 INVENT 2015

INVENT is a competition for Northern Ireland inventors, scientists, entrepreneurs and students with breakthrough inventions or concepts. Its aim is to find new inventions which offer the greatest commercial potential. INVENT evolved from the prestigious 25k Awards and was launched in 2014 in partnership with Bank of Ireland. Entrants competed for their share of the £33k prize fund, and for six tickets for the NI Tech Mission to California. INVENT differs from the 25k Awards in terms of its category types, prize package and entrance criteria. It comprises six categories, as well as a student section, and this year it attracted a total of 92 entrants, and was managed by 55 mentors and judges via a series of judging panels.

AUDIENCE AT QUICKPITCH

An audience of over 200 attended the lively second round Quick Pitch event at W5. 24 teams each made a three-minute pitch to the judging panel, from which the Top 12 Finalists were selected.

GUESTS AT INVENT AWARDS AT TITANIC BELFAST

PROGRAMMES INVENT SPONSORS: Bank of Ireland Intel IBM Actavis Seagate Dow AgriSciences Bombardier Randox (Afterparty) Tughans (Mentor Day) Ulster University (Student Comp)

PARTNERS Ulster Student’s Union QUB Enterprise Students Union QUB HSC Innovations Ulster University NIFDA - Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association Institution of Engineering and Technology ADS Group BioBusiness Digital Circle Momentum NI

QuickPitch

STEERING TEAM Ronan Cunningham, NISP CONNECT EIR, Banbatech, Chair Andrew Jennings, Arthur Cox Neasa Quigley, Carson McDowell Adrian O’Connell, Tughans Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Mark Skrillen, Atlas Communications Neil Buchanan, Flish and ECIT Niamh Griffin, Bank of Ireland Jennifer Cook, Ulster University Paul Donachy, QUB David Brownlee, HSC Michael Robinson, AFBI

Overall winners Plotbox

CREATIVE MEDIA AND CONSUMER INTERNET

AGRI-FOOD

Sponsored by:

WINNER: See.Sense, Founders: Philip and Irene McAleese The See.Sense power meter measure a rider’s power output. It achieves a level of accuracy comparable to those used by elite professional cyclists, but with a device costing a fraction of the price.

WINNER: Plotbox, Founders: Sean and Leona McAlister Plotbox provides software-as-a-service to make life easier for the death industry. All the disparate data points in the process of managing a business such as a cemetery can be connected in one place, and accessed through an intuitive interface.

Photonic Measurements, Founders: Vincent McCorry and Connor Douglas The Photonic Measurements team aims to give the world an affordable, portable, and fast water-quality analyser, which does not require expensive consumables, or highly skilled staff.

Sixty-5, Founder: John Arrell Sixty-5 is developing a range of mobile apps and hardware that will make precision agriculture accessible to the many farmers who cannot afford current solutions. A primary area of focus for Sixty-5 is the use of GPS in working fields more accurately.

INVENT Awards Dinner at Titanic Belfast.

PROGRAMMES INVENT

INNOVATION FOUNDER OF THE YEAR INNOVATION FOUNDER AWARD Each year, NISP CONNECT asks members of the community to nominate individuals they think should receive the ‘Innovation Founder of the Year Award’. This Award recognises tech founders who have (i) achieved distinction in founding, leading or building a Northern Irish life sciences or technology-based business, and (ii) contributed to the economy and quality of life of our region. This year’s award was presented to Dr William Wright CBE, co-founder of The Wright Group, a leading manufacturer of passenger transport vehicles. As a fully integrated global bus brand, The Wright Group employs 2000 people and has nearly 70 years’ experience in innovative design and technological excellence.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

DR PETER FITZGERALD 2013

TOM EAKIN 2012

DR HUGH CORMICAN 2011 15

PROF JOHN ANDERSON 2010

PROGRAMMES

KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY INDEX MAIN SPONSOR:

STEERING TEAM

The Northern Ireland Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) Report is an annual publication produced by NISP CONNECT, in conjunction with the Economic Policy Centre at Ulster University and Oxford Economics. The research tracks the health of the innovation economy by assessing data year-on-year, comparing our performance with other regions and monitoring the availability of capital.

Scott Rutherford, Queen’s University Belfast (Chair) Alan Bissett, Arthur Cox Alan Bridle, Bank of Ireland UK Tim Brundle, Ulster University Donal Durkan, Invest NI Michael McCormack, BT

The most recent report showed that Northern Ireland has the second fastest growing knowledge economy in the UK – the fastest was the North East of England. There were other very positive signs – over the past year Northern Ireland saw 295 new innovation startups and there are now more than 35,000 Knowledge Economy jobs in Northern Ireland. At the same time, Knowledge Economy average wage premium in NI has declined since 2010 and the number of Knowledge Economy businesses in NI is not growing fast enough. As a result, an ‘Innovation into Action’ business group has now been convened by NISP CONNECT, with the aim of advising the government on these and other issues.

PROGRAMMES

GENERATION INNOVATION Generation Innovation is NISP CONNECT’s network for Northern Ireland’s most ambitious, innovative, creative and entrepreneurial teenagers. Set up in 2011, the programme offers the 200 nominated 16 – 17 year olds ‘most likely to succeed in the new economy’ the opportunity to collaborate with some of our coolest tech founders and innovators.

BBC Click presenter Kate Russell and Michael Sayman, a 17 year old US developer, who is the creator of the best-selling 4Snaps App and a Facebook employee. 350 attendees took part in the event at An Culturlann in Derry on Wednesday September 17 2014 – a massive achievement by the CREATE team.

STEERING TEAM

The annual Night of Ambition is the launchpad for Generation Innovation activities. This year’s event took place at St George’s Market in Belfast. 200 teenagers from 84 schools, colleges and key partner organisations (Young Enterprise NI, Sentinus, BT Young Scientist, etc) took part, and 49 founders and innovators joined the young people for an actionpacked evening.

Chair - Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox Bill Connor, Sentinus Liguori Dobbin, Bank of Ireland Carol Fitzsimons, YENI Tony Gallagher, QUB Micheal Ievers, Stranmillis University College Rachel McAllister, Carson McDowell John McGuckian, Tughans Joanne Stuart, NISP Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig

Our Generation Innovation Alumni form an integral part of the NISP CONNECT community and they have often told us that they want to run more things themselves. So, over the summer, six of them won internships in a new collaboration with CultureTECH in Derry~Londonderry, with support from the newly opened North West Regional Science Park. The six teenagers - Sarah McBride, Matthew Carson, Jordan Earle, Kennedy Keeney-Robinson, Josh Kempton and Gareth Reid – were tasked with developing an event for CultureTECH week (September 2014). The result was an all-day event called CREATE:2014. Not only did the teenagers come up with the concept, they also raised more than £5000 in a Kickstarter campaign and secured speakers, including

circletwitterbird GenInnovators | circlefacebook GenInnovation | generationinnovation.co 17

PROGRAMMES

FRAMEWORKS

STEERING TEAM

The NISP CONNECT Frameworks workshop series was as popular as ever. The programme provides free morning or lunchtime seminars for entrepreneurs and ‘wantrepreneurs’ to learn business practice and to hear ‘war stories’ from veterans. This year we took Frameworks on the road with workshops at CIDO in Craigavon, at the new North West Regional Science Park in Derry~Londonderry, the Derry Playhouse and at Queen’s University Belfast. We also collaborated with a number of other organisations, including the IoD, BioBusiness, Women in Business and CultureTECH. A total of 419 attendees were engaged at 18 Frameworks Events, supported by 69 presenters and panellists.

Henry Cleary (Bank of Ireland) David Croft (Danske Bank) Chris Guy (Mills Selig) Lynsey Mallon (Arthur Cox) David Moore (QUBIS) Dawn McKnight (Carson McDowell) Adrian O’Connell (Tughans) Paul Beaney (Ulster University)

ENTERPRISE FORUM ENTERPRISE FORUM EVENTS

NISP CONNECT’s Enterprise Forum gives entrepreneurs access to world class market intelligence, in a relaxed and inspiring setting. Using forums and case study presentations featuring Northern Ireland’s most exciting, emerging growth technology companies, it educates entrepreneurs about the challenging business issues facing start-ups. It also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with science and technology sector leaders from across all industries, as well as capital and service providers.

Fujitsu Workshop Roundtable with TSB The Internet of Things SelectUSA PCH/Highway 1 Inventors Showcase at the BBC

PROGRAMMES

FRAMEWORKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2014/15 TOPIC

MAIN SPEAKER

PANELLISTS

ATTENDED

RATING

Startup Fundamentals

Eoin Lambkin, Groupe-Intellex

Ian Scott, Taggled Julie-Ann O’Hare, BOI

4.6

Digital Marketing for Startups

Michael White, Motarme

Serena McCrossan, Learning Pool Emma Whiteside, Learning Pool

4.6

Angel Investment Lessons from Ohio

John Huston, Ohio TechAngel Funds

Des Speed, PathXL Stephen Houston, NISP EiR

4.7

R&D Tax Credits

Sonia Cheetham, PwC Mari McLarnon, PwC

Carolynn Rooney, Biznet Solutions Mark Peoples, Almac

4.5

Licensing

Rory Campbell, Forde Campbell

Matthew Forde, Forde Campbell LLC Andrew Gough, GCD Technologies

4.6

Life and Health Sciences: A Rough Guide to Regulation

Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness Rhona McAteer, International QMS Expert

Aidan Langan, Enterprise Equity Gary Johnston, BioKinetic Europe

4.6

Digital Marketing for Startups

Michael White, Motarme

Jill Robb, Ambition Digital

4.7

Exits (IPOs)

Chris Guy, Mills Selig Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig

Mark Fahy, AIM David O’Brien, Shore Capital Hugh Cormican, Cirdan

4.6

Startup Fundamentals @ CultureTECH

Eoin Lambkin, Groupe-Intellex

Joan Condell, HidInImage Wilbur McDonald, NIVHA Drug and Alcohol Testing Solutions Gerry McNicholl, BOI

4.7

Better Directors, Better Boards Bootcamp

Eileen Mullan, Strictly Boardroom

Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox Michelle Hatfield, George Best Belfast City Airport Mary McCall, TreatTicket Sharon O’Connor, Derry CC Mark Hutchinson, Hutchinson Engineering

n/a

Finance for Startups...and Beyond

John Knapton, NISP CONNECT

Mary McKenna, Tech Entrepreneur & investor Angela Reavey, Capaxo Kathleen Garrett, Pentech Ventures LLP

4.7

Crowdfunding for Startups

Frank Webster, Seedrs

Philip McAleese, See.Sense Sebastian Heinz, Mindflood Ltd Alan Watts, Halo Marcin Zaba, SyndicateRoom

4.5

VC Process for GEW

Mark Stockdale, A&L Goodbody Jonny Madill, A&L Goodbody

Michael Black, Intel Ian Scott, Taggled Allen Martin, Kernel Capital

4.6

Art of the Term Sheet

Dawn McKnight

Hal Wilson, Pentech Ventures LLP Jeff Wylie, KANA

4.7

Better Directors, Better Boards Bootcamp

Eileen Mullan, Strictly Boardroom Lynsey Mallon, Arthur Cox

Ann-Marie Slavin, Smyson Solutions Roy Devine, CODA

4.8

Collaborations: A Guide for Startups

Adrian O’Connell

David Trainor, Sentireal Simon Grattan, Sengenia

4.5

CSIT Cyber Security Summit Workshop 1: Debating the need for a Pre-Accelerator

Steve Orr, NISP CONNECT Stephen Wray, ECIT Institute at QUB

Alex van Someren, Amadeus Capital Gibb Withim, Paladin Capital Sandy McKinnon, Pentech Ventures LLP Jon Bradford, TechStars Paul Smith, CyLon Zach Tudor, SRI International Stuart Laidlaw, Cyberlytic

n/a

CSIT Cyber Security Summit Workshop 2: Cyber Security’s biggest opportunities - A Lively Debate for Entrepreneurs

Zach Tudor, SRI International

Alex van Someren, Amadeus Capital Sandy McKinnon, Pentech Ventures LLP Amit Mital, Symantec Suren Gupta, Allstate

n/a

OTHER ACTIVITIES

NI TECH MISSION Plotbox InLifeSize QuizFortune Analytics Engines Green Sword See.Sense TitanIC Vaccine Tabs Get Invited

Performa Sports Anaeko Skunkworks Surfboard Company Venuebooker Speechstorm Displaynote ECIT Institute

The aim of NI Tech Mission is to showcase the new technologies and products currently being developed by NI-based companies and to promote the region as one of the leading digitally connected locations in Europe and a prime location for international investment. In late autumn 2014, NISP CONNECT, Invest Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council jointly organised a Northern Ireland Tech Mission to San Francisco and San Diego. Over the course of six days, from Sunday 30th November to Friday 5th December 2014, 16 local companies working in technology and digital-led industries has the opportunity to showcase and network with leading US Tech executives, investors and venture capitalists from the West Coast of America. All of the participating NI companies offer globallyfocused products or services and are considering expansion or increasing sales and investment opportunities on the West Coast of America.

TECHWATCH TechWatch, NISP CONNECT’s monthly online blog, is fast gaining recognition as the go-to spot for all the lowdown on Northern Ireland’s hottest ventures and the people behind their development. During the year, TechWatch has profiled the following companies: Jake Burns – Stiff Little Fingers, NI Music Industry and Technology, Inflyte App, Sensum, One Square, Dork Wearables, NI’ s Indie Gaming Scene, Displaynote / Swoodle, SkunkWorks, QuizFortune,Green Sword, NI Tech Mission to California, SendMyBag, Get Invited, Rumble Labs, Brewbot, Datactics, Core Systems, Solaform, Jar Technologies, Create 2014, TrueFood, CoolSafe360, Photonic Measurements, WiFiEar, InLifeSize, See.Sense, Plotbox, Learning Pool, Peforma Sports, Write to Read, Vaccine Tabs, Beacon, Phlok, Briefed, GetTogether, Ink Intelligent, and Anaeko. As of March 2015, TechWatch will focus on a monthly sector theme profiling one corporate, one startup and one research rockstar.

THE DIRECTORY

A HUGE THANK YOU TO... SPRINGBOARD

DOMAIN EXPERTS

ENTREPRENEURS-IN-RESIDENCE (EIRS)

Richie Anderson Jamie Andrews, Rainstor, Pentech Ventures LLP Jom Bastow Andrew Baxter, Xenosense Ian Beatty, Danske Bank Richard Bell Paul Brewster, Pure Marine Gen Paul Clancy, Halo Henry Cleary, Bank of Ireland Rose Crozier Noel Culbert, PwC Brian Cummings, Clarendon Fund Managers Darryl Cummins, Ulster University Sara Dalzell, Komodo Iain Darby Sheila Davidson, Emeritus Communications Andrew Dennis, Andor Sinead Devlin, Proano Ltd Karla Doey, Arthur Cox Vicky Dummigan, Tughans Paddy Dunlop, Ulster University Stephen Ellis, AEJ Business Solutions Alistair Fee, Acorn International Richard Furey, Yelo Godfrey Gaston, TitanIC Kyle Gawley, Get Invited Philip Gilliland, Caldwell Robinson Colette Goldrick, ABPI Alan Gourley, PwC Niamh Griffin, Bank of Ireland Gareth Hawthorn Colm Hayden, Anaeko David Hill, Hill Business Growth Consultants Laura Houston, Analytics Engines Ian Jeffers, The Princeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trust Bryan Keating, Matrix Judith Kee, Andor Alastair Keith, A&L Goodbody Peter Kelly, PwC Scott King, NIACE Paul Larmor, Ulster Weavers Oliver Lennon, Speech Storm

Brian Baird, Replify Ltd Jeremy Biggerstaff, Flint Studios Michael Black, Intel Geoff Clarke, Treze Technology Ltd Colin Coffey, Digital Venture Group Brendan Colgan, B.C. Consulting Darren Craig, IBM Security FSS Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech Les Curran, Export Technologies JG Doherty, Analytics Engines Bruce Douglas, Aveva Gareth Dunlop, Fathom Richard Furey, Yelo Tom Griffiths, Entrepreneur, Ideas Originator, Motivational speaker, Social Innovator Rob Grundy, Anglezarke Lifesciences Ltd Stuart Harvey, Datactics Stephen Houston, Sophia Michael Keltai, VP Partner Business & Consultant to Board Eoin Lambkin, Group-Intellex Jude Lynch, Performa Sports Neil MacDonald, Entrepreneur & Environmental Services Specialist Peter Massey, Budd Bill McCluggage, Laganview Associates Ltd Mary McKenna, Tech Entrepreneur & Investor Richard McMullan, Sliderobes Liam McQuillan, NISP Entrepreneur in Residence Karl Mulligan, NISP Entrepreneur in Residence Denis Murphy, Anaeko Christine Naylor, Rockport Ventures Andrew Owen, Business Development & Marketing Professional Clare Passmore, Clear Spirit Design Richard Plunkett, Leckey Designs Paul Rothwell, Kiverco Ltd. Stephen Seawright, WiSAR Jim Shields, Openarc Ann-Marie Slavin, Smyson Solutions Des Speed, Path XL Sinclair Stockman, NISP Entrepreneur in Residence Julie Taylor, Intergrity NI Andrew Walmsley, Non exec Director- Business Mentor- Angel Investor

THE DIRECTORY FINANCIAL PLANNING WORKSHOP

Edel Madden, Xsell Team Philip Maguire, NISP Sean McCann, Carson McDowell Solicitors Brian McCaul, Queen’s University Belfast Gary McCausland Kerry McCorkell, Tughans Denis McCotter, WH Stephens Naomh McElhatton, RUA Digital Grainne McGarvey, Pulse PR Claire McGonigle, PwC Brendan McGoran, Belfast City Council Caroline McGoran, Ulster University John McGuckian, Tughans Fergus McIlduff, Automated Intelligence Noel McKenna, Sensurity Sandy McKinnon, TechStartNI Daniel McRitchie, Scileads Paul Moffett, Sensurity Maureen Murphy, Aurion Nuala Murphy, Adoreboard Paul O’Brien Stephen O’Kane, PwC Domhnail O’Neill, Glastonbury Associates Anne Orr, Management Consultant Brian Reid, Kainos Gary Robb, Entrepreneur in Residence Carolynn Rooney, NISP Natasha Sayee, Randox Ash Songra, 352 Medical Sue Spencer, Encompass Marketing Mark Thompson, A&L Goodbody Ivan Waide, A&L Goodbody Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Alan Watts, Halo Hal Wilson, TechStartNI Shannon Wolf-Montague Suzanne Woodside, MadebyMint

Stephen Simpson, Bank of Ireland John Miller, Invest NI Allen Martin, Kernel Capital

MENTOR WORKSHOP Vicky Dummigan, Tughans Kerry McCorkell, Tughans Geoff Clarke, NISP CONNECT EiR Bruce Douglas, NISP CONNECT EiR Andrew Walmsley, NISP CONNECT EiR Jude Lynch, NISP CONNECT EiR Liam McQuillan, NISP CONNECT EiR Brian Cummings, Enterprise Equity Jayne Brady, Kernel Capital JG Doherty, NISP CONNECT EiR Bob Magowan Smyth, Crescent Capital Sandy McKinnon, Techstart NI Eoin Lambkin, NISP CONNECT EiR Tristan Brittain Dissont Michael Hilland Colin Crangle, Bank of Ireland Robbie Milliken, Bank of Ireland

INNOVATION FOUNDER PANEL Tom Eakin, TG Eakin Ltd Hugh Cormican, Cirdan Imaging Julie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland Peter FitzGerald, Randox

FINAL ROUND JUDGING Rob Hardeman, Seagate Kathryn Walls, Mills Selig Paul Moorhead, Intel Alex van Someren, Amadeus Capital Partners William Corrigan, Dow Julie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland UK Jim McIlroy, Actavis

INVENT 1ST ROUND JUDGES Jayne Brady, IET and Kernel Capital Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness Clare Passmore, NISP CONNECT EiR Noel McKenna, Sensurity Tom Walls, Laser Prototypes Europe Matt Johnston, Digital Circle Ann-Marie Slavin, NISP CONNECT EiR Michael Noble, Momentum NI Colin Coffey, NISP CONNECT EiR Michael Bell, NIFDA Ryan Adams, Digital Circle and Learning Pool Richard Furey, IET and Yelo

INVENT STUDENT JUDGES Ann-Marie Slavin, NISP CONNECT EiR Ian Stone, Bank of Ireland Kate Russell, BBC Click

PARTNERS Michael Bell, NIFDA Leslie Orr, ADS Group Jayne Brady, IET Lynner Weir, QUB Enterprise SU Jemma Dolan, University of Ulster SU Nuala Kilmartin, Belfast Met Michael Noble, Momentum NI Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness

QUICK PITCH TRAINING Kyle Gawley, Get Invited Tim Brundle, University of Ulster

QUICK PITCH JUDGES

GENERATION INNOVATION

Tom Eakin, TG Eakin Ltd Hugh Cormican, Cirdan Imaging Ltd Andy Hopper, University of Cambridge Clive Black, Shore Capital Alan Watts, Halo Julie-Ann O’Hare, Bank of Ireland Siggi Saevarsson, Intel

TECH FOUNDERS 2015 JP Harkin, Head of Development, 8over8 Gerry McGurgan, Founder, 8over8 Chris Johnston, Founder & CEO, Adoreboard Martin Neill, CEO, Airpos

THE DIRECTORY Denis Murphy, CEO, Anaeko Robert Grundy, Founder, Anglezarke Life Sciences Ltd John Flynn, Head of Business Services, Asidua Chris Acheson, Founder & CEO, CADshare Patricia O’Hagan, MD, Core Systems Mark Nagurski, CEO, CultureTECH Lesley Brown, Director, Dot Retailer Neil Buchanan, CTO, FLISH Tom Griffiths, Founder, gapyear.com Kyle Gawley, CEO, Get Invited Conor Moran, CEO, GoReport David Moorhead, MD, Green Sword Eoin Lambkin, Owner, Groupe-Intellex Mark Hutchinson, MD, Hutchinson Engineering David McGrath, MD, JAM Media Noel McQuaid, Technical Director, James Leckey Design Jeff Wylie CFO, Kana Sheena Lewis, CEO, Lewis Fertility Testing Tim Potter , Co-Founder, Little Thunder Co. Stevie Morrow, Director, Loughshore Investments Connor Douglas, Co-Founder, Photonic Measurements Vincent McCorry, Co-Founder, Photonic Measurements Leona McAllister, Co-Founder, PlotBox Lorraine Martin, CEO, ProAx-SiS Paul Brewster, CTO, Pure Marine Gen Stephen Houston, Executive Chairman, QuizFortune John Reid CEO, RepKnight Simon Hamilton, Founder & CEO, Rumble Labs Philip McAleese, CEO, See.Sense James McLaughlin, CEO, SiSaf Colin Williams, Creative Director, Sixteen South Chris Martin, Founder, Skunkworks Surf Co. David Patterson, CEO, Sophia Ruth Morrow, Director and Co-Founder, Tactility Factory Ian Scott, Founder, Taggled Malcolm Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, Total Mobile Mary McCall, Founder & Managing Director, Treat Ticket Janet Coulter, Senior Lecturer, Ulster University Vicky Kett Founder, Vaccine Tab Taidgh Boyle, CEO, Zeo Records Thom Dickerson, Co-Founder, Gallery Clothing Co Neil MacDonald, EiR, NISP CONNECT

School, Belfast, St Killian’s College, Carnlough, St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena, St Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel, St Louise’s Comprehensive College, Belfast, St Malachy’s College, Belfast, St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan, St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Belfast, St Mary’s College, Derry, St Mary’s Limavady, St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon, St Patrick’s Bilateral, Maghera, St Patrick’s College, Belfast St Patrick’s High School, Keady, St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook St Pius X College, Magherafelt, St Rose’s Dominican College, Belfast Strangford Integrated College, Carrowdore, Strathearn School, Belfast Sullivan Upper School, Holywood, The Royal Belfast Academical Institution, The Royal School Dungannon, Thornhill College, Londonderry Victoria College, Belfast, Wallace High School, Lisburn, Wellington College, Belfast

ENTERPRISE FORUM PANELLISTS Newland McKelvey Greg McDaid, Fujitsu Iain Gray, Technology Strategy Board Hank Skorny Paul Moorhead, Intel Bill McCluggage, British Computer Society (BCS) Ben Greene, IET Gregory Burton, US Consul General Belfast Brendan McGoran, Belfast City Council John D Breidenstine, US Embassy London Robert Mollen, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP David Cobb, Deloitte LLP Elaine Lamb, La Playa Insurance James Kuykendall, US Embassy London Jonathan Bradford, Techstars London Sandy McKinnon, Techstart NI & Pentech Ventures Jamie Andrews, Rainstor Tom Kitt, PCH/Highway 1 Ronan Cunningham, Banbatech Stephen Wray, ECIT Philip McAleese, SeeSense Gerard McBreen, Komodo Fiona McLaughlin, Pingster Fergus Wallace, InphoActive & Intelligent Play Rory Caren, IBM Noel Crawford, IBM

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School, Newry, Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School, Belfast, Ashfield Boys’ High School, Belfast Ballyclare High School, Ballyclare Secondary School, Ballymena Academy, Banbridge Academy, Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College Belfast Boys’ Model School, Belfast High School, Newtownabbey Belfast Metropolitan College, Belfast Royal Academy,Bloomfield Collegiate, Belfast, Cambridge House Grammar School, Ballymena Campbell College, Belfast, Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Omagh Collegiate Grammar School, Enniskillen, Cookstown High School, Corpus Christi College, Belfast, Dalriada School, Ballymoney, Dominican College, Belfast, Down High School, Downpatrick, Downshire School, Carrickfergus, Dromore High School, Fivemiletown College, Foyle College Friends’ School, Lisburn, Glastry College, Newtownards, Glengormley High School, Grosvenor Grammar School, Lagan College, Belfast, Larne Grammar School, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh, Magherafelt High School, Malone Integrated College, Belfast, Methodist College, Belfast, New-Bridge Integrated College, Loughbrickland, Newtownbreda High School, North West Regional College, Derry, Northern Regional College, Omagh Academy, Our Lady’s Grammar School, Newry, Priory College, Holywood, Rathmore Grammar School, Belfast, Regent House Grammar School, Newtownards, Sacred Heart College, Omagh, Shimna Integrated College, Newcastle, South Eastern Regional College, South West College (SWC), Southern Regional College, Sperrin Integrated College, Magherafelt, St Catherine’s College, Armagh, St Cecilia’s College, Derry St Ciaran’s High School, Ballygawley, St Colm’s High School, Draperstown, St Colman’s College, Newry, St Comhghall’s College, Lisnaskea, St Dominic’s Grammar School, Belfast, St Genevieve’s High

STAKEHOLDERS Sheree Atcheson, Women Who Code Belfast Irene Bell, Stranmillis University College Michael Bell, N. I Food & Drink Association Olwen Black, Belfast Boys’ Model School Andrew Bolster, Farset Labs John Andy Bonar, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) Mark Brotherston, Inspire Business Centre Linda Brown, Institute of Directors (IOD) Mari Cahalane, BT Young Scientist Exhibition (BTYSE) Michelle Carson, Northern Ireland Assembly and Business Trust Paul Clancy, Halo Stephen Colvin, The Newsweek Daily Beast Company Liz Conlon, Institute of Physics in Ireland Lynn Connaughton, Colleges NI Bill Connor, Sentinus Majella Corrigan, CCEA Andrew Cowan, Northern Irish Connections Roisin Crawford, STEM Aware John D’Arcy, Open University Sheila Davidson, Emeritus Communications Patsy Donaghy, Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)

THE DIRECTORY Peter Donnelly, BioBusiness NI Pat Doyle, Invest NI Charlotte Dryden, Oh Yeah Centre Emma Dunseith, BBC Northern Ireland Carol Fitzsimons, Young Enterprise Northern Ireland David Gavaghan, Titanic Quarter Clair Gheel, E-Skills Neil Gibson, Economic Policy Centre Gordon Gough, Enterprise NI Eva Grosman, Centre for Democracy and Peace Building Paul Hanna, British Computer Society Judith Harvey, W5 Yvonne Higgins, ISTA (Irish Science Teachers’ Association) Brian Hunter, CIDO Neil Hutchinson, Include Youth Ian Jeffers , The Prince’s Trust Matt Johnston, Digital Circle Richard Johnston, Economic Policy Centre Robert Johnston, Cookstown High School David Kane, Farset Labs Bryan Keating, MATRIX Roseann Kelly, Women in Business NI Ruth Kelly, Science Cafe Belfast Vivienne Kerr, School Employer Connections Scott King , NIACE Grainne Lennon, InterTradeIreland Elaine Lennox, The Association for Science Education (ASE) Méabh McCaffrey-Lau, Nerve Belfast Shirley McCay, Belfast City Council Bill McCluggage, British Computer Society Chris McCreery, Northern Ireland Science Festival Una McDermott, Code Club Eoin McFadden, DETI (Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment) Ciaran McGarrity, DETI (Department of Enterprise, Trade & Investment) Kieran McGeown, St Mary’s University College Belfast Brendan McGoran, Belfast City Council Thomas Hunter, McGowan InterTradeIreland

Bronagh McGreevy, St Louis Grammar School, Ballymena Ann McGregor, NI Chamber of Commerce and Industry Angela McKeown, Royal Society of Chemistry Sinead McLaughlin, The Londonderry Chamber of Commerce Mervyn Middleby, BBC Northern Ireland Wilfred Mitchell, Federation of Small Business Cathy Moore, N.I. Schools and Colleges Careers Association Paul Moorhead, IET Averil Morrow, AmmA Centre Melanie Mulligan, CCEA Daithi Murray, St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook Mark Nagurski, CultureTECH Michael Noble, Momentum NI Nicholas O’Shiel, Omagh Enterprise Karen Orme, South Eastern Regional College Anne Orr, Management Consultant Leslie Orr, ADS Bryan Patten, Washington Ireland Program John Peto, The Nerve Centre Roger Pollen, Federation of Small Business Diane Roberts, Propel Kerry Scullion, Armagh Planetarium Ciaran Sheehan, Clarendon Executive John Simpson, Economist Sarah Smith, North City Business Centre Ltd Nigel Smyth, CBI Northern Ireland Aaron Taylor, Friday Night Mashup Martin Thomas, Arkwright Scholarships Trust Sharon Tracey-Collins, Omagh Enterprise Mary Trainor-Nagele, Arts & Business NI Adam Wallace, FabLab Belfast Jonathan Wallace, Ulster University Mary Walshok, San Diego CONNECT Lynne Weir, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) Richard Williams, Northern Ireland Screen Stephen Wray, Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)

WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU 25

PROGRAMMES

US-NI MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME Established in 2010, the US-NI Mentorship Programme is a challenging, one-year paid work placement programme in which Northern Ireland domiciled graduates are selected to work for a USbased corporation. The Programme is designed to develop Northern Ireland’s future business leaders and entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and mentoring.

55 Northern Irish graduates have completed the Programme and to date it has generated approximately £2M in salaries for participants. The opportunity to spend a year working in the U.S. and interacting with a different business culture is already proving to have a positive impact on participants. Within our growing alumni, we are seeing our talented graduates flourish both personally and professionally and contribute to Northern Ireland on both a societal and economic level. This is in no small part thanks to all the companies that have given and continue to give their commitment to this important programme.

In order to support the region’s economic development more fully, it is imperative that we achieve financial independence. Only then can we react swiftly and innovatively to any current challenge, under the guidance and direction of our independent and knowledgeable leadership group. We have created a model to develop alternative streams of income (membership, sponsorship and philanthropy), while the Science Park continues to provide the crucial underwriting which enables recruitment and retention of our excellent staff. The NI Science Park Trust is a key element in that model. It is the vehicle to enable us to grow philanthropic support to aid Northern Ireland’s growth into a thriving knowledge economy. TG Eakin, a leading medical devices company, led the way with two significant donations to the Trust. Earlier this year, Tom O’Gorman and Jim Finnegan, two successful local entrepreneurs, worked with the Trust to develop the Generation Innovation Internship

Prize. This provides a prize fund of £22,000, with six young entrepreneurs receiving £2,000 internships to develop their business ideas, alongside an Entrepreneur in Residence. They will then pitch for the winning prize of £10,000. These are great examples of how the private sector can support the critical work that we do. We were delighted when the NI Science Park Trust was recognised at the UK Science Park Association Awards in July 2014, where it won the ‘Most Innovative Project’, beating off competition from across the UK. A key aim of the Trust is to engage the whole community in wealth creation through innovation and technology, by prioritising science and technology in education and business. NISP CONNECT is calling on the local and international business community to get involved with the Trust and develop new talent on the basis of “enlightened self-interest.”

PROGRAMMES

FINANCIALS FUNDING

2014-15

2013-14

2012-13

Membership

153,000

133,195

126,000

Sponsorship

100,701

74,820

78,142

NISP/NISP Trust

103,423

23,000

Grant

146,000

174,902

208,837

Total Income

503,124

405,917

412,979

Programme costs

168,671

116,070

121,410

Other costs

54,098

71,413

60,141

Salaries

280,354

218,434

224,064

Total Costs

503,124

405,917

405,615

SURPLUS/DEFICIT

7,364

COSTS

Performa Sport pitching at NI Bureauâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diaspora Event in San Francisco.

PROGRAMMES

ENQUIRIES TO: NISP CONNECT is an independent, non-profit organisation that supports the development of innovative technologies and early-stage companies through a series of educational seminars, mentorship programmes, capital competitions, and public policy advocacy. The programmes are driven by the findings of the Northern Ireland Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) and are guided by the pro bono contributions of experienced entrepreneurs and executives.

Trudy Parry Special Events and Programme Co-ordinator, NISP CONNECT trudy.parry@nispconnect.org +44 (0) 28 9073 7800 The Innovation Centre Northern Ireland Science Park Queen’s Road, Queen’s Island Belfast BT3 9DT

NISP CONNECT accelerates the growth of knowledge-based companies by acting as an honest, neutral broker and aims to catalyse the commercialisation of world-class research and intellectual property. A joint effort between Northern Ireland’s academic research base, the University of Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast, the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, and Northern Ireland’s private sector, the NISP CONNECT programmes are designed to facilitate a culture of collaboration between the region’s highest quality science and technology entrepreneurs, research institutions, professional services providers and investors.

Based at:

NISP CONNECT is proudly part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the European Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland 2010 - 2015

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