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Belfast
The tech community in Belfast has benefitted greatly from a growing network of support groups such as Digital Circle and NISP CONNECT both providing digital entrepreneurs in the area with a range of opportunities.
As well as the above, the University of Ulster‘s technology and knowledge transfer company Innovation Ulster directs the University’s investment in technology and incubates high-growth spin out companies. QUBIS is the QUB tech transfer and investment company.
At present, NISP CONNECT’s INVENT 2015 competition is a proof-of-concept stage competition for inventors, scientists, entrepreneurs and students to pitch their prototypes and new inventions in front of Northern Ireland’s most experienced leaders from within the technology and commercial sector. They are looking for prototypes from these six categories: Creative Media; Engineering; Agri-food; Life and Health; Electronics; and Enterprise Software.
Taggled CEO Ian Scott believes Northern Ireland is one of the UK’s strongest clusters for one main reason, commenting, “The real advantage to me is the people. Northern Irish people are renowned for their high level of expertise coupled with a work hard / play hard attitude. These attributes cultivate a very strong team ethic and an innovative working environment.”
Support:
- Work West, Aims to improve the economic and social profile of West Belfast. Offers a series of startup and growth programmes
- Digital Circle – Represents the digital content industry in Northern Ireland
- NISP CONNECT – Northern Ireland Science Park, independent, non-profit organisation that supports the development of innovative technologies and early stage companies
- East Belfast Enterprise – provide incubation workspace and training/mentoring initiatives to support new and established businesses in the local area
- Bloom@BT9 – affordable collaborative workspace
- City Business Hub – Business support centre located in Belfast
- Propel Programme – support businesses who want to expand globally
- Start Planet NI – Mentoring, investment and co-working space
Funding:
- Techstart NI – seed stage and early-stage funding for tech businesses
- HALO – the main business angel network for Northern Ireland
- Kernel Capital – the Bank of Ireland Kernal Capital Venture Funds
- Crescent Capital – Belfast based Venture Capital Fund
- CoFund NI -Co-Fund NI is a £28 million equity fund that will co-invest with business angel/private investor-led deals
- Inter Trade Ireland – Grants and support available
- Invest NI – Grants and support available
Analytics Engines develops analytics accelerators for software in Pharma, Finance, Oil and Gas.
Inflyte is a music B2B promotion platform that allows businesses to send branded digital music promo campaigns direct to their clients’ mobile devices for feedback.
InLifeSize brings Hollywood-grade and AAA facial animation and augmented reality to consumers’ mobile phones.
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