Entrepreneurship skills key to the future of research – Dolan

The skills of entrepreneurship are key to seeing the impact of research in our day-to-day lives, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Aisling Dolan, Fine Gael’s Spokesperson for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science, was speaking ahead of ‘Big Ideas’ an Enterprise Ireland led event starting today (Thursday) aimed at empowering Irish researchers to pitch technology solutions and business propositions to an investment audience This event highlights successful collaborations between higher education institutes, investors and state support

Senator Dolan said: “Building the skills of entrepreneurship across the research community will help to secure new pathways for their innovations and will assist in developing new technologies that can improve quality of life for all.

“Today at the Enterprise Ireland led event, 12 campus spin-outs from third-level institutes across the country are pitching their ‘Big Ideas’ to solve challenges in healthcare, technology, AI and data analytics.

“Expert research teams worked with Technology Transfer Offices supported by Enterprise Ireland in each university to make their ideas become a reality. Innovation Hubs such as BioInnovate Ireland and Health Innovation Hub can support researchers on this path.

“Combining research and entrepreneurship in a more structured way will also be key to fostering innovation in regional areas across the country especially through our new Technological Universities. This is very important for the development of research and indeed job creation in the sector across the midlands and west.

“This online event will be on from 2 to 4pm today (Thursday) and viewers also get to participate with a ‘Viewer’s Award’. I wish all of the groups well and I’m delighted to see a number representing the West. I look forward to seeing what innovations are going to make Ireland at the forefront of cutting-edge research. Find out more at enterprise-ireland.com,” Senator Dolan concluded.