NovaUCD, the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre at University College Dublin, has today launched its 2007 Campus Company Development Programme (CCDP), giving 12 new high-tech companies the opportunity to develop their ideas into fully-fledged businesses.
NovaUCD, which has been running for 12 years, has already assisted over 125 companies to develop their business ideas. Companies that previously won a place on the CCDP programme include ChangingWorlds and Lightwave Technologies.
ChangingWorlds’ ClixSmart technology has earned it a working relationship with clients such as O2 UK and VodaFone Global. Last week, the company director won the ICT Sales Professional of the Year Award.
This year, companies from disciplines such as chemical and bioprocessing engineering, medicine and medical science and veterinary medicine are taking part.
“The new and innovative enterprises which are participating on this year’s programme are critical to sustain the development and growth of Ireland’s knowledge-based economy,” said Dr Pat Frain, director of NovaUCD.
“NovaUCD encourages and supports entrepreneurship and the establishment and development of new high-tech ventures. The CCDP is our main enterprise support programme which is designed specifically to assist academic entrepreneurs in developing start-up companies to commercialise university research,” he said.
Participants on this programme will have access to NovaUCD’s desk space, incubation facilities and associated services.
The programme runs for nine months part-time to accommodate the busy schedules of both researchers and academics and ends in November with an award ceremony.
By Marie Boran
