Fund seeks start-up ideas

RESEARCHERS at third-level with ideas for start-ups have until September 22 to apply for a cut of a €7 million fund launched yesterday by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe.

This is the latest fund in 10 years of an Enterprise Ireland (EI) third-level research commercialisation push, so far producing 140 spin-out companies, employing over 1,000 workers with a combined annual turnover of €160m.

EI programme manager Majella Maher explains: “The idea is that these third-level researchers should have a technology-based business proposal that addresses a gap in the market. The idea should have the potential for a new start-up company.