Government announce €95m for ground-breaking projects under Disruptive Technologies Fund
Government invests in disruptive technologies in areas such as healthcare, food, factory safety, construction, industrial heating systems and maritime
The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, the Minister for Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD and the Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation Robert Troy TD today announced that 29 exciting new projects have succeeded in securing funding under the third round of the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund.
The Government is investing €95 million in the successful projects over the next three years. The 29 ground-breaking projects cover areas such as life sciences, medical devices, ICT, artificial intelligence, manufacturing and environmental sustainability.
The projects include sub-sea robotic drilling, artificial intelligence for safety in factories of the future, more effective heating and cooling systems in commercial and industrial businesses, a platform to improve productivity on construction sites, and healthcare solutions in areas such as cancer treatments and chronic knee osteoarthritis.
Announcing the successful projects today, the Tánaiste said:
"The pandemic and Brexit have combined to bring unprecedented economic challenges and volatility to our enterprise sector. But with every challenge comes new opportunities and the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund is dedicated to entrepreneurs and researchers working on some really exciting ideas to develop solutions to the problems we face.
"We are funding projects which will have wide-ranging benefits across many areas of society. Projects using AI to make factories safer and drones to detect drug smuggling, for example. There are many successful projects in the health sector, which we hope will result in better patient outcomes for thousands suffering from cancer, heart disease and fractured bones among other conditions. There is also focus on sustainability, with a number of projects looking at ways to improve and reduce energy use.
"These new technologies will create high-quality jobs in existing and emerging sectors, now and over the coming decades. There is a good spread of partners, based all around Ireland, highlighting the strength of our enterprise and research base all across the country.
"The level of DTIF funding involved – at €95million – demonstrates our commitment to continue to invest and rebuild a stronger, more resilient economy after the pandemic."
All projects involve collaborations of between three and eight partners, including SMEs, multinational corporations and research organisations. SME participation is an integral part of the Fund, with 62 SMEs among the 111 organisations involved and 22 leading their project.
The funding announced today brings the total funding awarded under the three DTIF Calls to date to €235m. The Fund, established under the National Development Plan in 2018, commits a total of €500 million of government funding, alongside enterprise co-funding of projects.
Among the successful projects are those that will:
Develop an adhesive that will stick broken bone tissue together following fracture, allowing it to heal faster
Use artificial intelligence to develop drones to better detect drug smuggling
Develop a tool using artificial intelligence to identify breast and prostate cancer patients with early stage disease
Design and build a prototype robotic drilling system for a wide range of applications including offshore wind
Use artificial intelligence to trial a solution which will make factories safer for workers
Use nanotechnology to reduce emissions by 40% in commercial and industrial heating and cooling systems
Develop next generation therapeutic and gene therapies for gastrointestinal cancer
Develop a treatment for chronic knee osteoarthritis, to deliver dramatic pain and mobility benefits to patients
Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science also welcomed the DTIF funding:
"The Irish research sector is key to our future economic prospects. Many top-performing indigenous companies have emerged as spin-outs from the research conducted in our universities and higher education institutes. Several recent spin-outs are partners in the consortia that are being awarded funding under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund today. This is in addition to the 37 HE-based partners in those projects. That is a fantastic outcome which reflects the strength of the Irish research sector.
"DTIF is an important tool for realising our ambitions as a global innovation leader and a location for research excellence. The level of investment being made today in cutting-edge technologies will create employment opportunities for our graduates and help to maintain Ireland as an attractive destination for top research talent."
Robert Troy TD, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation, said:
"The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund is a vital tool for financing excellent disruptive and innovative projects and is exactly the kind of fund that Ireland needs right now as we navigate the new normal and embrace the opportunities and challenges that disruptive technologies bring to our workplaces and homes.
"The 29 projects represent the innovativeness of companies across Ireland, from Clare to Dublin and Cork to Westmeath, coming together to bring new levels of digitalisation to a diverse range of industries, such as agriculture, healthcare, construction and more. As a small nation with limited resources, we must work together to maximise the opportunities from the investment in our enterprise sector and research institutions.
"This funding will give the companies involved opportunities to grow their business, even when trading in increasingly competitive markets, through the development of innovative products and services that alter the way that the industry operates."
Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, who administer the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, said:
"Irish entrepreneurs have yet again demonstrated their ingenuity, adaptability and resilience in the face of the challenges they face. The breadth and scale of the projects that have come through the rigorous DTIF evaluation process is a huge tribute to the quality of our innovative companies and the other partners involved.
"The quality of the partnerships involved, with SMEs, multinationals and research organisations combining to share experience, expertise and knowledge, also deserves acknowledgement. We are a small nation with limited resources and so we must continually demonstrate our flexibility and agility. These projects will enable the enterprises involved to be in strong position as the Irish and global economies rebound once the pandemic ends."
A total of 62 applications were received under this third call of the Fund. The eligible projects went through a rigorous and competitive evaluation process involving screening and interview by panels of international experts.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) is a €500 million fund established under the National Development Plan (NDP) in 2018. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment manages the DTIF with administrative support from Enterprise Ireland. The purpose of the Fund is to drive collaboration between Ireland's world-class research base and industry as well as facilitating enterprises to compete directly for funding in support of the development and adoption of these technologies. The aim is to support investment in the development and deployment of disruptive technologies and applications on a commercial basis.
Call 3 Applications to DTIF were assessed by panels of international experts against four criteria – quality of the disruptive technology, excellence of overall approach, economic impact & sustainability and strength of the collaboration.
Further details are available on enterprise.gov.ie/DTIF.
Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) – Awards under Call 3 (2020-21)
Projects awarded between €5 and €7 million in DTIF funding
Research Priority Area
Regional Location
Total DTIF Award*
A complete regenerative treatment for knee osteoarthritis using a hydrogel-based therapeutic
1) Relevium Medical Ltd; 2) HiTech Health Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
The project aims to establish a prototype centre of excellence on the St James' Hospital/ TCD campus to discover & deliver next generation precision cell therapeutics for solid tumours through 'modular GMP in a box'
1) Remedy Biologics Ltd; 2) ACGT Vector Designated Activity Company; 3) Trinity College Dublin (TCD); 4) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
The project aims to unlock the potential of Earth Observation (EO) data for non-specialist users by creating a new architecture with the aim of developing a sustainable internationally trading Earth Observation services sector in Ireland
1) National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD); 2) Vertice Integration Services Ltd T/A Vertice Cloud; 3) BCC Risk Advisory Ltd T/A Edgescan; 4) The Icon Group Ltd; 5) Treemetrics Ltd; 6) TechWorks Marine Ltd; 7) EMC Information Systems International; 8) Oracle Corporation Ltd
Using artificial intelligence to develop drones to detect drug smuggling. This project will establish Ireland as a world leader in autonomous drone and drone-AI technologies. The advanced drone capabilities developed will dramatically improve capability and reduce costs for interdicting drug smuggling
1) Tyndall National Institute; 2) University of Limerick (UL); 3) National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD); 4) A-TechSYN Ltd; 5) True Communication Technologies Ltd T/A VRAI; 6) Ocean Print Ltd T/A WAZP
The system will use catheter sensor technology to significantly increase Atrial Fibrillation treatment efficacy and safety while reducing the enormous burden on healthcare systems globally
1) OneProjects Design Innovation Ltd; 2) VistaMed Freudenberg Medical Ltd / Vistamed Ltd; 3) Tyndall National Institute
* The DTIF funding awarded is subject to verification checks as to the eligibility of the amounts claimed and the relevance of the costs to the terms of the Fund.
Outpatient solution without side effects to deliver next generation therapeutic and gene therapies for gastrointestinal cancer
1) Mirai Medical Ltd; 2) Excelsys Technologies Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG); 4) Trinity College Dublin (TCD); 5) National University of Ireland Cork (UCC)
Avectas, will develop a digitalised cellular engineering system to produce cell therapy cancer treatments with a focus on allogenic (off-the-shelf) therapies and those for solid tumours
1) Avectas Ltd; 2) BlueBridge Technologies Ltd; 3) National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT)
The goal of the TRIDENT project is to develop a low-cost, high-performance sodium-ion smart battery system using entirely sustainable materials and processes. The overall ambition is to provide a complete plug-and-play solution for grid-integrated residential battery energy storage systems
1) University of Limerick (UL); 2) Analog Devices International Unlimited Company; 3) mSemicon Teoranta; 4) ICERGi Ltd; 5) Glantreo Ltd; 6) TisaLabs Ltd; 7) Smart M Power Company Ltd; 8) Tyndall National Institute
The Ostic project mission is to deliver an adhesive that will stick broken bone tissue together following fracture and then facilitate rapid healing and repair of the bone
1) PBC Biomed Ltd; 2) Dolmen Design and Innovation Ltd; 3) Dublin City University (DCU)
Harnessing artificial intelligence to develop a tool to identify breast and prostate cancer patients with early stage disease
1) Deciphex Ltd; 2) Oncomark Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD)
Projects awarded between €1.5 and €3 million in DTIF funding
Research Priority
Development of minimally invasive treatment solutions for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) that can be carried out in an office-based setting. Will provide BPH sufferers with a safe, effective treatment solution that can be performed in the doctor's office in a simple 5-minute procedure under local anaesthetic
1) ProVerum Ltd; 2) Innovative Catheter Solutions Ltd; 3) Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Development and commercialisation of sutureless polymeric transcatheter heart valve technology
1) Aran Biomedical Teoranta; 2) Lifelet Medical Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
RELAY will develop and commercialise a disruptive large-bore vascular closure device that will become the new standard of care for catheter-based surgeries
1) Prelude Medical Ltd;
2) Theradep Ltd;
3) Technology University Dublin (TUD)
Design and build a prototype robotic drilling system and anchor template for the installation of micropiled anchor foundations; anchors will be load tested to prove suitability; for a wide range of applications including offshore wind
1) Mincon Group PLC; 2) Subsea Micropiles Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD); 4) University of Limerick (UL)
Energy, Climate Action and Sustainability
A smart, patient-centric catheter-based solution for treating malignant pleural effusion "fluid on the lung" in the home resulting in improved autonomy of care
1) SymPhysis Medical Ltd; 2) Gentian Consultancy Services Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG); 4) Galway University Hospital
SAFETYBOT will realize Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled safety solutions to service the Factory of the Future, enabling immersive collaboration between human workers, robots and automation equipment
1) Analog Devices International Unlimited Company; 2) Emdalo Technologies Ltd; 3) Modular Automation Ireland Ltd; 4) Tyndall National Institute
Using nanotechnology to generate 40% energy/emissions savings in thermal management of commercial and industrial cooling/heating systems e.g. data centres and high energy technologies
1) HT Materials Science Ltd; 2) Glantreo Ltd; 3) Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Develop a minimally invasive and intelligent microwave ablation catheter for treatment of lung cancer
1) Endowave Ltd; 2) Quadrant Scientific Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
The FlowAssist Pouch will help to improve the skin condition of ostomy pouch users, while introducing novel design features, dramatically improving their lifestyle and management of their medical condition
1) Ostoform Ltd; 2) Synecco Ltd; 3) Avery Dennison Medical Ltd; 4) Ross Polymer Services Ltd; 5) Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)
Develop a monitoring tool to allow clinicians to directly monitor fetal oxygenation and diagnose fetal hypoxemia, enabling more precise monitoring of fetal well-being and increasing newborn surveillance during delivery
1) Tyndall National Institute; 2) Raydiant Oximetry Ireland Ltd; 3) BioPixS Ireland
1) CrannMed Ltd; 2) Innovative Catheter Solutions Ltd; 3) Creganna Unlimited Company; 4) Technology University Dublin (TUD)
The MI-DRONE project will address consumer demand for fast, reliable, last-mile delivery using a drone. It will reduce delivery time to 3 mins and decrease emissions by 80%
1) ÉireComposites Teoranta; 2) Manna Drones Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
The LILY project will deliver the world's first pain-free, patient-led treatment to prevent Chemotherapy Induced Alopecia, considerably improving the quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherap
1) Luminate Medical Ltd; 2) Gentian Consultancy Services Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
A-EYE Construction Visualisation Platform is a control tower that provides full visibility of large construction sites and enables visual communication
1) Evercam Ltd; 2) GagaMuller Technology Ltd; 3) Technology University Dublin (TUD)
Innovation in Services and Business Process
The overall objective of PerPET is to transform the plastics industry: drastically reducing the amount of fresh petroleum extracted virgin material used, and positioning PET recyclate as a valuable, perpetually reusable resource.
1) Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT); 2) AvonCourt Packaging Ltd; 3) Novel Plast Teoranta; 4) National University of Ireland, Cork (UCC)
Software platform to predict human sensory quality attributes of food products for great taste, health benefits and minimal waste
1) Dawn Farm Foods Ltd; 2) Creme Software Ltd; 3) National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD)
Using Artificial Intelligence to create fast cell analytics for biomanufacturing, for use in media screening and bioprocess controllers
1) Valitacell Ltd; 2) Intel Research and Development Ireland Ltd; 3) Waters Corporation; 4) National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
Develop the first innovative plasma sampling device for inflammatory diseases
1) Atturos Ltd; 2) Agilent Technologies Ireland Ltd; 3) Neoteryx Ltd; 4) National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD)
E-Crop will develop innovative agri-technologies that provide farmers and agri-advisory industries with the tools needed to monitor and improve crop health
1) National University of Ireland, Dublin (UCD); 2) e-Seed Crop Technology Solutions Ltd; 3) SeqBiome Ltd; 4) LAN CTR (Lárionad Acmhainní Nádúrtha CTR); 5) Origin Enterprises Public Ltd Company
Energy & Climate Action
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