Why SMEs should consider applying for DTIF
SMEs are regarded as the drivers of disruptive innovation. Their specialisation means that they often have ideas for new technologies that have the potential to disrupt the market or at least to radically alter it.
DTIF can help SMEs to realise that potential by:
- offering access to substantial investment (up to 50%) towards high-risk, high-return projects utilising industrial research and / or experimental development
- reducing risk, thereby helping to bring their disruptive technologies forward
- providing access to equipment, specialist knowledge and expertise in RPOs and MNCs
- helping to attract highly skilled and highly trained graduates
- increasing the attractiveness of projects for VC investment by conducting a robust project evaluation process which underpins the quality of successful projects
Why large companies / MNCs should consider applying for DTIF
Large companies and multinational corporations can play a crucial role in DTIF consortia by:
- providing expertise and knowledge and sharing risks with SMEs
- sharing expertise in technology areas or access to equipment to progress the project
- supporting the internationalisation of SMEs’ innovation activities
In turn, DTIF can help large companies and MNCs by:
- offering access to substantial investment (up to 40%) towards high-risk, high-return projects utilising industrial research and/or experimental development
- harnessing the disruptive drive of SMEs and RPOs to support their own product development
- gaining access to and developing innovations which they may have been unaware of otherwise (knowledge sharing)
- facilitating collaborations with smaller enterprises and/or RPOs which can encourage spin-in activity
- offering opportunities to build on excellent scientific research
Why research performing organisations should consider applying for DTIF
Ireland’s research performing organisations (RPOs) have made a significant contribution to our industrial development by:
- facilitating companies to improve their competitiveness
- contributing to job creation and economic prosperity
DTIF can provide benefits to RPOs by:
- offering access to substantial investment (100%) towards high-risk, high-return projects utilising industrial research and/or experimental development
- offering opportunities to generate knowledge and spin out or transfer it to enterprise
- helping to attract top-quality researcher talent to work on cutting-edge projects
- providing researchers with access to industry-leading companies and networks