Research & Innovation

A new consortium called The Bridge Network has been launched at University College Cork. Led by UCC, the consortium comprises four technology transfer offices from University College Cork, Teagasc, Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee and represents the largest consortium with a combined research revenue of €145 million.

Building on success in terms of licensing, spin out companies and research income, the technology transfer consortium will create an effective link for knowledge transfer expertise to be shared and used in the member institutions, enhancing the innovation ecosystem regionally and nationally.

Funded by Enterprise Ireland and supported by Knowledge Transfer Ireland, the Bridge Network consortium will apply its combined expertise to support the commercialisation of research, early stage spinout companies, licensing and ultimately effective relationships with industry.

Speaking at the launch, UCC President Pat O’Shea said, “By working together, the Bridge Network of the four technology transfer offices is an exemplar of effective collaboration, creating best practice for commercialisation of research through sharing of expertise while managing IP effectively. There have already been many success stories from our technology transfer offices, and together we are in a position to accelerate and drive further success in this area.”

Over the last two years, UCC has had the largest industry-funded research income of universities in Ireland, with CIT similarly leading the Institutes of Technology in terms of income from industry sources. Together with Teagasc and IT Tralee, the consortium will create a model of national and international excellent practice.

“We in CIT are very pleased to be part of this consortium. CIT has a strong tradition of working with all of the partners and we expect to enjoy enormous gains from the partnership. Given our long history of engagement with industry and supporting start-ups we also expect to be a significant contributor to the consortium and its impact,” said Dr Brendan Murphy, CIT President.

As a leader in food knowledge and technology transfer, Teagasc is a key partner in the Bridge Network Consortium. Teagasc Director of Technology Transfer, Declan J. Troy said, “Teagasc has a long history of impactful research across all facets of agriculture and food research from primary production to high value functional foods. As part of Teagasc’s commitment to deepening and extending this impact, membership of the Bridge Network under the leadership of UCC affords a platform to exchange best practice and attain maximal efficiency and client satisfaction in the transfer of new research and technology into the hands of the producers and companies. Furthermore it has greatly increased our researchers’ appreciation of maximising such impact thereby stimulating a greater level of meaningful engagements with Teagassc and the Irish agri-food sector”.

Director of Knowledge Transfer Ireland, Dr. Alison Campbell OBE addressed the launch event, describing how the Bridge Network collaboration will drive and develop Ireland’s knowledge transfer system, supporting innovators and entrepreneurs and ultimately creating jobs for the economy.

The Bridge Network will also create a programme that supports engagement between spinout companies and venture capitalists and angel investors, institutional investors and national agencies. Bringing together experienced tech entrepreneurs to act as mentors to early stage companies will also feature in the activities of the consortium.

With a combined research funding value of €130 million, the Bridge Network Consortium brings together key players in the Irish ecosystem to collaborate effectively on the commercialisation of research agenda.