The 2014 Ignite Technology Transfer Office (TTO) Commercialisation programme ‘Ignite Eco-System’ came to an exciting finale last Tuesday, 25 March. Each participant pitched their commercial opportunity to an external expert panel after being taken through the 8 week programme of identifying the value proposition of their technology or business concept. Commercial roadmaps & business models were generated and everyone left with a clear vision of their next steps.

Awards were presented on the day under the following categories:

Best Business Opportunity: awarded to Anthonia O’Donovan from the School of Natural Sciences;

Best Presentation: awarded to Paul Dunne from the Department of Engineering in GMIT,

Best Elevator Pitch: awarded to Vinod Hegde from the Insight Centre for Data Analytics

Judges Choice: awarded Mary-Pat O’Malley from the Discipline of Speech & Language Therapy

Ignite Technology Transfer Office offers commercialisation mentoring and training workshops aimed at assisting researchers, individuals and innovative early stage enterprises assess specialist advice in preparation of attracting commercial grant supports or investment appropriate to the needs of the new technology or business concept . Our approach is hands on and practical, delivered to suit the needs of the participants on the programme known as Ignite Eco-System.

Vinod Hegde winner, Best Elevator Pitch said “as a PhD student in the INSIGHT group I enrolled on the IGNITE Eco System programme hoping to learn about the process of commercialization from an academic perspective. Personally I can say that this business orientation program is the best I have taken part in. The programme is structured very well and I highly recommend this programme to all researchers. Thanks to the TTO for their continued support.”

Fiona Neary Ignite TTO said “Class of 2014 were a highly motivated group, we had lots in interaction and all participants were very eager to progress their technologies and ideas into the commercial world. Our aim is to foster the next generation of entrepreneurs and technologies through programmes such as these. I wish them every success in their commercial pathway and look forward to seeing some significant research & business outcomes from the group.”

For more information about the Ignite Technology Transfer Eco-System please visit our website on: http://tto.nuigalway.ie/en/