Local firms should innovate to unlock potential of civil security market

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has launched InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Connections Programme, to help local businesses unlock the potential of the multi-billion pound Civil Security market.

InterTradeIreland, in association with INNOVATOR and the Centre for Irish and European Security has developed a new pilot initiative, the Innovation Connections Programme to help at least 30 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of the unmet and future needs of the Civil Security market.

Launching the initiative the Minister said: "Small and medium sized businesses are the cornerstone of our economy. It is essential that we help them to fully utilise innovation in order to capitalise on new business opportunities. The new Innovation Connections Programme will help small and medium enterprises to build capabilities, test ideas, acquire new skills and develop business cases."

The European Civil Security sector, which is estimated to be worth in excess of £22billion, represents a significant business opportunity for SMEs as the combination of heavy market regulation and ongoing threats to security creates demand for new products and services. Now, based on in-depth end-user research into the sector across the island, InterTradeIreland has uncovered 15 new business opportunities to help SMEs break into this untapped growth market.

New business opportunities have been identified in areas such as communications, intelligent software, digital media, architectural design, intelligent lighting and signage systems, dangerous substances, access control / security systems, sensor detection and surveillance technology.

Arlene Foster added: "Innovation is hugely important to our economic future and it is critical if local firms are to maintain and improve their competitiveness. The Independent Review of Economic Policy recognised the importance of innovation to our economy and I aim to accelerate the shift of support towards innovation and R&D."

Companies will participate in two-day workshops in Newry, Dungannon, Cork, Galway and Dublin where they will be guided through pre-identified business opportunities and how they can develop new products, processes and services to avail of the opportunities in this high growth market.

InterTradeIreland, Director Aidan Gough, said the programme was a novel approach: "Our Innovation connections programme reverses traditional methods to building innovation in SMEs. With conventional R&D models, products and services are developed and then market tested, however, using an unmet needs approach the end-users unmet and future requirements are identified first and used to develop the required products and services. While the pilot initiative focuses on the civil security sector the model can be applied in many different sectors across the island – innovation has no boundaries."

Notes to Editors:

1. InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Connections Programme is jointly delivered by INNOVATOR and the Centre for Irish and European Security (CIES).

2. CIES is an expert on civil security policy and strategy in Ireland and Europe and INNOVATIOR is a creativity and innovation management consultancy based in Dublin.

3. The end-user research into the civil security sector was undertaken in partnership with airports and police forces in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

4. SMEs can apply to take part in the programme either online at http://www.innovator.ie/workshops or by contacting Sean McNulty at INNOVATOR on +353(0) 1 8794010

5. Businesses taking part in the programme will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement as they will be exposed to highly sensitive market information.

6. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.