Council launches new business development programme

This programme is specifically geared to work with companies operating in priority sectors across Advanced Materials, Advanced Engineering, ICT and Life Sciences/Connected Health.

It is part-funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland.

South West College, in conjunction with Lisburn Enterprise Organisation, will provide a comprehensive package of support aimed at identifying and developing new commercial opportunities. This programme will ensure that all participating businesses are given a bespoke package of support which will help them to develop viable commercial projects and identify the funding to deliver these.

Speaking at the launch, Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee, Alderman Allan Ewart, said: “This programme is a fantastic opportunity for companies to avail of tailored innovation support. In Lisburn we already a wide range of innovating companies and we want to ensure that the numbers tapping into the support for R&D and Innovation increases locally, hence the Council is keen to remove any barriers which would prevent businesses from progressing innovative ideas. One excellent example is local business success story Precision Group who have previously worked with the Council to progress new technologies and new business growth.”

Moira Loughran, Invest NI’s Eastern Regional Manager said: “Lisburn City Council’s Future Industries Programme will give new and existing businesses in key sectors such as advanced engineering and IT access to on the ground practical support to help grow their business. Programmes such as this are bringing wide ranging benefits to a large number of our small and medium sized local businesses and ensuring that the right support is provided when and where it is most needed.”

Dr John Harrison, Programme Manager at the InnoTech Centre, said the programme presents a key opportunity for local businesses to avail of practical one-to-one support to enable businesses develop their capacity in strategic growth sectors: “The programmes focus is on placing expert knowledge and resources within businesses to drive their future development and help them capitalise on business development opportunities to maximise their competitiveness. I would urge any company who has identified an opportunity and want assistance in progressing this to get in touch with Lisburn Enterprise Organisation to see how Lisburn Future Industries can help their business.”

For further information visit www.futureindustriesprogramme.co.uk or to register for the programme contact Aisling Owens at Lisburn Enterprise Organisation on 9266 1160 or email [email protected]