Third-level research has 'huge potential for business'

The team behind a new person-specific learning tool has been awarded a 'One to Watch' prize by Enterprise Ireland.

The award was presented to Dr Declan Dagger from Trinity College Dublin today at a forum to highlight the commercial potential of third-level research projects.

Dr Dagger and his team have developed a new personalised elearning tool to address the fact that no two people learn the same way. A new company called Empower the User is being formed around the technology. Dr Dagger will be the CEO of the spin-out company when it launches in 2009.

More than 200 researchers who are developing commercial possibilities from their research attended today’s first Enterprise Ireland Applied Research Forum at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin to discuss how they can bring more ideas from the research environment to the commercial world.

Enterprise Ireland boss Frank Ryan said: "There are many challenges facing companies that want to increase productivity, exports and profits. To get ahead, companies need new ideas and fresh technology and that is something our third-level institutions specialise in."

Enterprise Ireland has invested more than €300m in the third-level research and innovation system since 2000. During the three-year period 2005 - 2007, the-third level sector has produced 95 licences, 26 start-up companies and hundreds of patents and invention disclosures.