25/09/2009
'Hottest Intellectual Property' Applauded
The Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) CONNECT's search for 'the next big thing' has concluded – and a team from the University of Ulster last night walked away with a £10,000 cheque as overall winners of the entrepreneurs £25k Award.
Tactility Factory edged out nine rival competitors with their patented technology designed to combine textile design with hard building materials such as concrete.
The Tactility Factory team, Ruth Morrow and Trish Belford, are shown here with Michael Kidd Head of Business Banking at Bank of Ireland, who was the main sponsor of the award.
The team's versatile and durable concept could have wide-ranging implications for all types of building construction and received particular credit from the judges for combining Northern Ireland's longstanding heritage in textiles with cutting-edge building product design.
The judging panel included Sinclair Stockman, ex-Chief Scientist of BT, and Damien Callaghan of Intel Capital and they were very impressed with the standard of all finalists.
The awards, sponsored by Bank of Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, were presented yesterday evening at a VIP gala ceremony in the newly refurbished Titanic Dock & Pump-House at the Northern Ireland Science Park.
Steve Orr, Director of NISP Connect, said that once again the awards have uncovered local talent with innovative ideas and inspiring ambitions.
He added: "The aim of the awards is to discover intellectual property concepts which can offer measureable impact on not only the local but global economy and that is exactly what we have achieved with the winners, Tactility Factory, and all the other finalists."
Ian Murphy, Managing Director of Clients and Entrepreneurship at Invest Northern Ireland, which also sponsored the event, said: "Northern Ireland has an excellent tradition of entrepreneurship.
"The high standard of all the category winners in this year's £25k Awards embodies this and the hard work that has gone into each venture is clear to see."
(BMcC/GK)
Tactility Factory edged out nine rival competitors with their patented technology designed to combine textile design with hard building materials such as concrete.
The Tactility Factory team, Ruth Morrow and Trish Belford, are shown here with Michael Kidd Head of Business Banking at Bank of Ireland, who was the main sponsor of the award.
The team's versatile and durable concept could have wide-ranging implications for all types of building construction and received particular credit from the judges for combining Northern Ireland's longstanding heritage in textiles with cutting-edge building product design.
The judging panel included Sinclair Stockman, ex-Chief Scientist of BT, and Damien Callaghan of Intel Capital and they were very impressed with the standard of all finalists.
The awards, sponsored by Bank of Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, were presented yesterday evening at a VIP gala ceremony in the newly refurbished Titanic Dock & Pump-House at the Northern Ireland Science Park.
Steve Orr, Director of NISP Connect, said that once again the awards have uncovered local talent with innovative ideas and inspiring ambitions.
He added: "The aim of the awards is to discover intellectual property concepts which can offer measureable impact on not only the local but global economy and that is exactly what we have achieved with the winners, Tactility Factory, and all the other finalists."
Ian Murphy, Managing Director of Clients and Entrepreneurship at Invest Northern Ireland, which also sponsored the event, said: "Northern Ireland has an excellent tradition of entrepreneurship.
"The high standard of all the category winners in this year's £25k Awards embodies this and the hard work that has gone into each venture is clear to see."
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 February 2024
Irish Govt Commits To Invest €800m In Northern Ireland
The announcement of an €800 million (£685m) investment in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government has been welcomed as a "significant contribution" by Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA.
Irish Govt Commits To Invest €800m In Northern Ireland
The announcement of an €800 million (£685m) investment in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government has been welcomed as a "significant contribution" by Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA.
06 February 2024
Naomi Long Re-Elected As Justice Minister For Northern Ireland
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has been re-elected as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland, following a cross community vote in the Assembly. Minister Long previously held the Justice portfolio from January 2020 to October 2022.
Naomi Long Re-Elected As Justice Minister For Northern Ireland
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long has been re-elected as Justice Minister for Northern Ireland, following a cross community vote in the Assembly. Minister Long previously held the Justice portfolio from January 2020 to October 2022.
29 January 2024
The Ultimate Guide To Bingo Halls In Northern Ireland
Bingo, a game that has been a staple in Northern Ireland's entertainment scene for decades, continues to capture the hearts of enthusiasts across the region. In recent years, there has been a notable rise in bingo hall attendances, and some attribute this surge to the growing popularity and accessibility of bingo sites.
The Ultimate Guide To Bingo Halls In Northern Ireland
Bingo, a game that has been a staple in Northern Ireland's entertainment scene for decades, continues to capture the hearts of enthusiasts across the region. In recent years, there has been a notable rise in bingo hall attendances, and some attribute this surge to the growing popularity and accessibility of bingo sites.
04 March 2009
Duke Of Edinburgh Celebrates Hilton Birthday
The Duke of Edinburgh, on the second engagement of a one-day visit to Northern Ireland, was this afternoon the guest of honour at a lunch at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast. The event was for Friends of The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, as well as to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belfast Hilton.
Duke Of Edinburgh Celebrates Hilton Birthday
The Duke of Edinburgh, on the second engagement of a one-day visit to Northern Ireland, was this afternoon the guest of honour at a lunch at the Hilton Hotel in Belfast. The event was for Friends of The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, as well as to mark the 10th anniversary of the Belfast Hilton.
29 May 2012
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.
Access To Republic Of Ireland Digital TV Channels Confirmed For Northern Ireland
TV viewers in Northern Ireland will be able to watch TG4 and RTÉ One and Two on Freeview following digital TV switchover, the UK Government confirmed today.