| Western Innovation Network (WIN) Programme
The Western Innovation Network is a pilot programme targeted at non Invest NI clients. The aim of the overall programme is to enhance competitive advantage within the region’s micro business sector through embedding innovation. The programme is funded by the Innovative Regions of Europe programme. The WIN programme consists of 16 innovation projects.
These are:
1) Innovation Clinics
Aimed at potential entrepreneurs and small business owners/managers with an idea for a new product, process or service. A preliminary appraisal will be carried out at the clinic – with a more detailed appraisal and advice report completed within one month. The clinics will be held monthly at further education colleges. The programme will be delivered as a partnership between Manufacturing Technology Partnership and the further education colleges. The targets for the programme are 360 participants and 180 technical appraisals.
Delivery Agent - MTP, Springvale Business Park, 1b Millennium Way, Belfast - 028 9027 9864 - David Hewitt - dhewitt@mtpltd.com.
2) Technical Mentor Programme
Aimed at small businesses experiencing technological barriers to growth. Technical mentoring will be provided to 48 SME and micro businesses through further education and higher education technologists. It will target and screen 72 businesses, recruiting 48. The additional 24 will be signposted onto other programmes. The programme will be delivered as a partnership between Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre, the further education colleges and University of Ulster.
Delivery Agent - NWIFHE, Northland Building, Strand Road, Derry - 028 7126 4242 - Barney Toal - barney.toal@noribic.com.
3) Spin Off
Spin Off programme will provide mentoring, marketing and business planning support to 10 SME and micro businesses that wish to create new companies around existing or proposed products and/or services. The programme will be delivered as a partnership between Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre, PricewaterhouseCooper and Business In The Community.
Delivery Agent - NORIBIC, Northland Building, Strand Road, Derry - 028 7126 4242 - Barney Toal - barney.toal@noribic.com.
4) Innovation Management Techniques
Aimed at small businesses in engineering or general manufacturing. The programme will be delivered as a partnership between Manufacturing Technology Partnership and the further education colleges.
Delivery Agent - MTP, Springvale Business Park, 1b Millennium Way, Belfast - 028 9027 9864 - David Hewitt - dhewitt@mtpltd.com.
5) Club Innovate
The WIN Club Innovate programme seeks to provide innovation audits to 75 small and micro-businesses and innovation action plans, mentoring and innovation planning support to 45 selected club members. This programme will be delivered by Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre.
Delivery Agent - NORIBIC, Northland Building, Strand Road, Derry - 028 7126 4242 - Barney Toal - barney.toal@noribic.com.
6) Fledging Innovation Programme
The programme is designed for any type of micro or start up company less than 3 years old. It is open to all sectors and industries and can be customised to meet individual needs. The target for the programme is 216 companies. It will be delivered in partnership between the Centre for Competitiveness, Countryside Services and Strategem.
Delivery Agent - Centre for Competitiveness, Queens Road, Belfast - 028 9073 7950 - Adrian Gundy - adrian.gundy@cforc.org.
7) eCluster
eCluster will provide a support system to small business clusters, utilising a web based collaboration tool that will promote business collaboration and improved business opportunity development. The target for this programme is 75 companies in three clusters. It will be delivered by NW Marketing and Redburn Consulting.
Delivery Agent - North West Marketing, 16c Queen Street, Derry - 028 7137 1867 - Janis Simpson-Mahoney - janis@north-westmarketing.com.
8) Digitivity Advance
Digitivity Advance provides a bursary and business development support for new entrepreneurs in the Digital Multi-Media sector. 12 entrepreneurs will receive £5,000 over 12 months. This programme has not yet been tendered for.
9) Digimedia International
This programme will target 12 professionals in the Digital Multi Media sector. The aim of the programme is to support international placement to benefit from best practice and new contact development. The programme hasn’t been tendered for yet.
10) Sci –Tech Partnership
The aim of this programme is to facilitate the development of a collaboration cluster between science based companies and academics from further and higher education with a view to developing the potential for new commercial opportunities. This programme has not yet been tendered for.
11) Seminar programme
A series of seminars and conferences to promote innovation to the small business sector. There will be 4 seminars and 2 conferences all broadening the concept of innovation. This programme is delivered by Invest NI through the WIN project team and Morrow Communications.
12) R&D Programme
This programme will support the existing client base of WIN, as well as other business development bodies through proactive access to innovation information from EU activities in this field. 50 pieces of research will be undertaken to support innovation promotion in the region. This programme has not yet been tendered for.
13) Innovation Networking
This programme will provide support for suitable organisations and persons to attend relevant innovation related activities and to bring expertise to Northern Ireland. The programme will be delivered by WIN management team.
14) Innovation Promotion
This programme will promote the outcomes of the various WIN projects across the region through co-ordinated PR, media and internet activities. The programme will be delivered by Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre, John Laird Public Relations and Lermagh Design.
Delivery Agent - NORIBIC, Northland Building, Strand Road, Derry - 028 7126 4242 - Barney Toal - barney.toal@noribic.com.
15) Innovation Tools
This programme will provide training in the latest innovation recognition, audit and diagnostic tools for innovation delivery practitioners. 44 participants will receive primary training. The programme will be delivered by Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre and the Centre of Competitiveness.
Delivery Agent - NORIBIC, Northland Building, Strand Road, Derry - 028 7126 4242 - Barney Toal - barney.toal@noribic.com.
16) There are also three technical support projects:
- WIN management
- WIN MIS
- WIN Marketing Toolkit
This involves the development of a Management Information System to give an integrated approach to the programme as a whole. Participants can benefit from more than one programme simultaneously and successful participants may be eligible for Invest NI support as a new client.
Further information is available from Invest NI on 028 8224 5763 and the Northern Ireland Business and Innovation Centre website – www.noribic.com.
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