Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) has released the latest Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey (AKTS) for the year 2023.
The report highlights valuable insights into the progress and trends in Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem, emphasising the importance of collaboration between academia and industry in driving economic growth and fostering innovation. The survey which collects data from Ireland’s Higher Education Institutes including eight Universities, five Technological Universities, two Institutes of Technology and two Colleges, also incorporates contributions from Teagasc, the Marine Institute and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR)
WiSAR’s collaboration with Sligo based tidal energy start-up, Tidal Flyer Ltd is among the success stories featured in the new report. When Tidal Flyer needed wireless underwater communication for data collection and system control, the company turned to WiSAR at Atlantic Technical University (ATU) Donegal. Tidal Flyer asked WiSAR to design an antenna and transceiver unit that would perform underwater, and then to support testing at the National Maritime Centre in Cork. ATU’s Technology Transfer Office supported the collaboration, sourcing Innovation Vouchers from Enterprise Ireland. Drawing on combined experience in antenna design and electronics, WiSAR provided Tidal Flyer with a reliable method of underwater communication in freshwater.
Through the collaboration with WiSAR we’ve gained practical knowledge of the operational trade-offs of under-water communication systems,” says Theo Devaney, Founder of Tidal Flyer Ltd. “This will let us choose the appropriate technology, with sufficient range and resilience, to operate in each environment.”
Knowledge Transfer Ireland (KTI) is the national office that helps business to benefit from access to Irish expertise and technology by making it simpler to connect and engage with the research base in Ireland.
Christian Stafford, Head of Knowledge Transfer Ireland said, “Through our support for knowledge transfer activities, Enterprise Ireland supports effective engagement between companies and the research base and stimulates the creation of new companies and founders from research, supporting their journey to High Potential Start-Up status (HPSU). KTI’s mission is to is to make it easier for businesses to access publicly funded research. The results of the 11th annual survey published today point to solid increases in levels of licensing activity, spin-out company formation and new products reaching the market. Innovation is key to accelerated growth and our data shows that Enterprise Ireland clients who avail of R&I supports have 1.3 times more domestic sales, 2.5 times higher turnover and 4.7 times greater exports. Enterprise Ireland through KTI will continue its work with the Research Performing Organisation’s on this important agenda of supporting and encouraging innovation across the entire business landscape.”
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke TD said, “My Department continues to support businesses to engage with the Irish research ecosystem, enhancing innovation in our enterprise sector. I welcome the publication of the Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey 2023 and acknowledge the importance of this report in tracking the impact of knowledge transfer in Ireland. The AKTS 2023 shows a positive trend from 2022, with 1,470 live R&D collaborative projects with industry, an increase of almost 12%, along with an 8% increase in spin-out companies and an 18% increase in jobs in active spin-out companies, which stands at 1,845 for 2023. This is a very welcome trajectory. The positive outcomes from the AKTS and the expected impact of the new KT Boost programme, which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-2027, will help achieve goals set in Impact 2030, Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.”
The full 2023 KTI Annual Knowledge Transfer Survey is available here.
