It is widely recognised that businesses which position innovation as an integral part of their business activities, are generally more successful and competitive. However with levels of innovation and R&D in Northern Ireland amongst the lowest in the UK, local companies of all sizes, in all sectors, need to be encouraged to innovate in order to build a strong local economy.

Lisburn City Council aims to place innovation and research at the core of local business development by helping companies to identify appropriate new technologies, new processes, new systems or products which will add value, assist business growth and improve overall business competitiveness.

The Council is currently the main driver of Innovation throughout the City, and to date has funded two Innovation Promoters Programmes which has assisted 15 local companies to introduce new innovative products, and processes into their businesses, thus improving their overall performance and profitability.

The success of these projects demonstrates the continued demand and need for this type of business support at a local level, and to this end the Council is currently funding an Innovation Networks Programme, which will also support and facilitate the commercial exploitation of knowledge based research and new ideas from the University of Ulster into viable products/services which will attract private sector investment and promote entrepreneurship. Further programme details can be accessed at www.lisburninnovationnetworks.com

This online Innovation Directory is designed to be a key tool for local businesses, and will assist them to identify and access information on a range of key contacts and support services that can help them to take advantage of new technological advances, explore a business opportunity or solve a knowledge based problem.

I hope you find this directory to be of benefit to your business, and I would like to wish you every success in your business future.

 

Councillor Jenny Palmer
Chair of the Economic Development Committee
Lisburn City Council