Businesses that develop new products and services or significantly improve business practices are almost twice as likely to increase turnover than those that don’t.
Every organisation needs innovation, which means that we all need to be creative. Being different is the sole source of competitive advantage.
SERC recognises innovation as key to business success. We seek to engage with local businesses to address the issue of product and service innovation through making available to them a range of resources:
- North Down Innovation Centre
- Access to physical resources
- Lecturer expertise in terms of knowledge/technology transfer (Knowledge Transfer Partnership)
- Course provision that is custom made including New Product Development
For more information about how we can help to support your own business please contact us.
Innovation Vouchers
Invest Northern Ireland launched a £900,000 initiative for registered small businesses, enabling them to partner with research centres of excellence to access practical advice in support of their growth and export ambitions.
Small businesses can apply for "Innovation Vouchers", up to a maximum value of £4,000 (€5,000), which they can redeem against the cost of practical advice and expertise on specific operational projects from a range of specialised "knowledge providers". Funding for this, which will lead to a cultural shift in the small business community's approach to innovation, is being provided through the £90m Innovation Fund, announced in January 2008.
The Innovation Voucher initiative was launched in the Republic of Ireland last year and in the Netherlands in 2004, and has already proved successful in both countries.
You can read more about the Innovation Voucher initiative »
South Eastern Regional College is pleased to be one of the Knowledge Providers for this initiative.
For further information please contact Olivia Kennedy on 028 9267 7225 or okennedy@serc.ac.uk
Innovation Vouchers Website click here