Matrix

Irish Human Computer Interaction (iHCI) Symposium
2022-11-18 08:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Ulster University Belfast, York Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT15 1ED, United Kingdom
The annual Irish Human Computer Interaction conference will take place on Friday 18th of November 2022 at the Conor lecture theatre, Belfast School of Art, Ulster University
We invite you to a one day ‘face to face’ event that will bring together leading voices from the field of HCI and provide an overview of HCI research in Ireland, Northern Ireland and further afield.

We will have keynotes, a paper presentation track for showcasing a selection of publications by researchers at leading international venues of HCI research, a rapid fire or poster session, industry talks and a lot of opportunities to network in Belfast.
The event is supported by the ACM SIGCHI Chapter Ireland and Ulster University (Belfast School of Art and the School of Computing).

HSC staff can attend the conference for free (buffet dinner not included). To register please contact ka.boyd@ulster.ac.uk

Digital Leaders Innovation Week
2022-11-14 - 2022-11-18 | Online
A virtual summit to share case studies, know-how and proven methodologies to help you innovate in your organisation and beyond.
Innovation is the creation, development and implementation of a new product, process or service, with the aim of improving efficiency, effectiveness or competitive advantage. Innovation is difficult for well-established organisations. As a Digital Leader managing, leading and promoting innovation is an important skill that can deliver game-changing creativity. Hard as it is for organisations to innovate, some do.

Hardtech and High-Value Manufacturing
2022-11-09 17:30 - 21:30 | Online
What is the role of hardtech and high-value manufacturing companies to the UK economy? How do these companies work with the UK research base? How do they contribute to the innovation strategies of the UK and devolved governments, to skills development, and to levelling up, as part of the post-Covid recovery? And what should policymakers, funding agencies and the companies themselves be doing do to ensure that we maximise the value to the UK from these innovative companies? These are just some of the questions we hope to explore in this discussion event.

An Innovation Strategy for Scotland
2022-11-07 12:30 - 17:00 | Online
The Scottish Government is shortly to publish an innovation strategy. What are the key challenges for promoting innovation in Scotland, and how will the new strategy tackle these? What are the key contributions needed from the Scottish Government, industry, higher education and others? What can Scotland learn from a similar strategy in Wales, and how does this fit in with plans of the UK Government? In this discussion event, we intend to explore these questions, and look forward to the new Scottish innovation strategy.
Speakers

Ivan McKee MSP
Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Scottish Government

Professor Sir Jim McDonald
Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, and President of the Royal Academy of Engineering

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick OBE
Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland

Dr Deborah O’Neill
Chief Executive Officer, Novabiotics

Professor Rick Delbridge
Professor of Organizational Analysis, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University

Leadership in Tomorrow's World - Foundation Future Leaders Conference 2022
2022-11-01 09:00 - 16:00 | Online
The major challenges confronting society do not have simple resolutions. They are multi-faceted and long term, requiring cross-cutting analysis with the ability to work across traditional divides and develop innovative approaches. This conference will look at how these problems, such as climate and biodiversity, can be addressed, as well as examining the skills and structures needed to deliver. Designed specifically for early- to mid-career professionals in the civil and wider public service – as well as in industry and the research community – this conference will discuss these issues, with panellists drawn from senior leaders and the Future Leaders Programme of the Foundation for Science and Technology.

Professor Sir Adrian Smith FRS
President of the Royal Society and Director of the Alan Turing Institute

Tamara Finkelstein
Permanent Secretary, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Professor Sarah Main
Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering (CaSE)

Professor Gideon Henderson FRS
Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Professor Sir Brian Hoskins FRS
Chair, Grantham Institute, Imperial College

Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE
Chief Executive, Royal Academy of Engineering

Isabel Allgeyer
Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Science, Climate Policy & COP27
2022-10-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
The United Nations COP27 climate conference will be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. In this event, The Foundation for Science and Technology will look at the latest climate science, and the contribution that science needs to make in COP27 and beyond.

Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI Autumn School
2022-10-24 - 2022-10-28 | Ulster University Magee Campus, Northland Road, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, BT48 7JL, United Kingdom
The Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI Autumn School will be held from 24-28 October 2022, in person at the Intelligent Systems Research Centre in Ulster University, Magee campus. There will also be an option for online attendance.
Application deadline: 1st September 2022 (online and in-person).
Decision for in-person applicants (limited to 40): 9th September 2022.
Background
There have been rapid advancements and investments in research and development in brain sciences, neurotechnology, neural data modelling and neuro-inspired artificial intelligence (AI).
These advancements have not only led to deeper understanding of brain functions and disorders, but also the development and application of powerful AI and machine-learning algorithms that affect our everyday life. In fact, historically, AI was inspired by how intelligence arises from the brain.
The Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI (CN3) Autumn School aims to train the next generation of researchers on these state-of-the-art developments. This short course will touch on the areas of computational neuroscience, neural data science, neurotechnology and neuro-inspired AI.
The School is unique in that important and timely topics either not delivered in other Schools or taught courses, or delivered only individually, will be delivered here in an integrated way, from pedagogical to advanced levels. These topics include computational modelling of neural-glial systems, neuromodulators, cognition, neurotechnology, neuromorphic computing, self-repaired intelligent machines, spiking neural networks and cognitive robotics. Mathematical foundations, coding exercises, ethics and entrepreneurship will also be covered. Moreover, although neural computation and neuro-inspired AI research are conducted in the island of Ireland, there is very little relevant training and taught courses, especially for early career researchers, in the region; this School aims to bridge this gap.
For enquiries, please contact KongFatt via e-mail (k.wong-lin@ulster.ac.uk).

A Future Economy Powered by Clean Hydrogen
2022-10-19 09:30 - 13:00 | Stormont Hotel, 587 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3LP
As a region with a history of innovation and engineering excellence, Northern Ireland is now presented with the opportunity to be at the forefront on the next revolution in driving a future economy powered by clean energy.
This event will look at the exciting prospect of a Hydrogen economy; its potential to drive economic development, secure and sustain high-skilled, well-paid jobs, develop indigenous resilient energy security and most importantly, reduce greenhouse emissions contributing to Northern Ireland’s net-zero goals.
Two complimentary reports from The Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre and Matrix – The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel, examine the changes needed to provide the policy, oversight, governance and investment to transform the Northern Ireland economy from being heavily reliant on fossil fuels to attaining energy independence through locally produced, clean renewable energy.

NICON22
2022-10-19 - 2022-10-20 | La Mon Hotel & Country Club, 41 Gransha Road, Comber, Northern Ireland, BT23 5RF, United Kingdom
The Northern Ireland Annual Conference and Exhibition 2022 (NICON22) provides a unique opportunity for colleagues and partners from across the health and care system, as well as the private and voluntary and community sector to come together, share ideas, reflect, network, and learn.
At this year’s conference, entitled ‘Recognition | Ambition | Mobilisation’, you can expect to hear from a wide range of local leaders, international speakers and frontline staff across over 40 sessions. Over the two days, we hope to inspire and connect you as we recognise the contribution of our workforce, explore our shared ambition for our health and social care services and agree how to mobilise to tackle waiting lists and deliver a world-class service for our citizens.
Speakers this year will include:

Peter May, Chief Executive of the HSC; Permanent Secretary, Department of Health
Robin Swann MLA, Minister of Health for NI, Department of Health
Sir James Mackey, Chief Executive, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust; National Director, Elective Recovery, NHS England
Dr Anna van Poucke, Global Head of Healthcare, KPMG International; Healthcare Senior Partner, KPMG Netherlands
Alison McKenzie-Folan, Chief Executive, Wigan Council
Prof Kate Ardern, Director of Public Health, Wigan Council
Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation
Maria McIlgorm, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health
Prof Siobhan O’Neill, Mental Health Champion for NI

Agenda
A copy of the conference agenda and delegate mini guide are available to view below.
NICON22 Conference Agenda
NICON22 Conference Mini Guide
Who should attend?
If you are a manager, clinician, service user, or partner in health and social care, we would be delighted to welcome you to conference.

Critical conversations: End of life for data and the internet of things
2022-10-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
In this conversation, we will explore the legal, ethical and safety challenges created by the immortality of digital data and how the engineering community can address them.
In the next online event as part of the Critical conversations series, Academy CEO, Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, will be joined by Professor Ana Basiri, Professor in Geospatial Data Science at the University of Glasgow and Safer End of Engineered Life Champion.
Unlike most engineered products, when digital data reaches the end of its useful life it can be stored indefinitely. In this conversation, we will explore the legal, ethical, and safety challenges created by the immortality of digital data and how the engineering community can address them. The conversation will also look whether ‘digital is always greener’ when data storage and maintenance is energy intensive and has such an environmental impact.
Addressing safety challenges in the decommissioning or disposal of engineered products is part of the Engineering X Safer End of Engineered Life mission.
Recording notice
Please note this event will be recorded and published on the Royal Academy of Engineering website. Your video will be off and your account will be muted throughout the entire event. Only the speakers and presentations will be visible on your screen.
Accessibility
It is very important to the Royal Academy of Engineering that our events are accessible to all. If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact the Events team at events@raeng.org.uk at your earliest convenience so that necessary arrangements can be made.

Smart Energy Conference 2022
2022-10-06 | Clayton Hotel Belfast, 22 Ormeau Ave, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT2 8HS, United Kingdom
RenewableNI is pleased to announce the date of this year’s Smart Energy Conference – Thursday 6 October.
Taking in place in the Clayton Hotel, in the heart of Belfast, the conference will focus on the implementation of the Northern Ireland Energy Strategy.

The full-day conference includes a networking lunch and ends with a drinks reception in a private bar area.
Panel discussions on the agenda are the NI Planning System and Markets, with plenty of time for audience questions.
We will be examining what has been achieved from the 2022 Action Plan, what the key milestones are, and what major obstacles are and how to overcome them.
The agenda will include:

Keynote speech from Mark Ennis, SSE.
Markets Panel Discussion – facilitated by the Chair of the RenewableNI Markets Working Group, Richard Murphy, Pinsent Mason.
Planning Panel Discussion – facilitated by the Chair of the RenewableNI Planning Working Group, Sara Tinsley, Energia.
Launch of RenewableNI’s new strategy.
Address from event partner Carson McDowell.
Networking lunch in Clayton Hotel restaurent.
Drinks reception in a private bar.

Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Industry Update Event
2022-09-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Online
The Department for Transport, Innovate UK and Innovate UK KTN would like to invite you to an important CMDC industry engagement event on the 22nd September 2022 in London. There will also be the option to join this hybrid event virtually.
Following on from the successful Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) Rounds 1 and 2, the organisers would like to welcome stakeholders across the maritime sector and supporting industries to attend this important event about the next stages of the programme through to March 2025. The event will explain the latest opportunities to engage with the CMDC programme and deliver the transition to clean maritime.
All stakeholders across the UK’s clean maritime eco-system are strongly urged to register to attend.
The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition programme is a multi-year R&D funding initiative. In March 2021, the Government allocated £23m of funding to 55 projects across the UK as part of CMDC1. These projects totalling £33m of public and private investment supported the design and development of zero emission shipping technologies and greener ports through a series of technology trials and feasibility studies to accelerate clean maritime. The competition ended on 31 March.
In May 2022, the new £206m UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) in DfT committed to a number of interventions to accelerate the decarbonisation of the maritime sector including further rounds of the CMDC over the next three financial years. This included launching CMDC2 with £12m of government funding for feasibility studies and pre-deployment technologies in clean maritime. The application window was closed on 14 July and bids are being assessed. Successful projects will run from January 2023 to August 2023.
UK SHORE committed to a third round of the CMDC later in 2022 aimed at large technology demonstrations and a fourth round in 2023.
Stakeholders are asked to register for this save the date now, as we are expecting high demand.

Briefing Event: SBRI Healthy Ageing Scaling Social Ventures Competition
2022-09-14 10:00 - 10:45 | Online
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is pleased to announce the launch of the upcoming SBRI Healthy Ageing Scaling Social Ventures Competition, from UKRI and our Healthy Ageing Challenge.
The healthy ageing market we are investing in is diverse. It ranges from helping people remain physically active through to managing the impacts of ageing, such as hearing loss and cognitive impairment. On the way, innovations will help people live independently in their own homes for longer and enable them to remain engaged with their communities. These solutions will address Healthy Ageing’s ‘seven themes of ageing,’ described here.
Launching on 5 September, the competition aims to help companies achieve this mission by awarding a total of £3m. With grants for eligible project costs being allocated across one funding stream aimed at scaling existing products and services. Businesses will be able to apply for grants between 250K and 500K.
To discuss this further, an online briefing event is being held on 14 September to explain how the SBRI for Scaling Social Ventures will work, how businesses can apply and what UKRI are seeking.
During the briefing event there will be an opportunity to register for a 1-to-1 session with Innovate UK colleagues to address specific questions.
Agenda
10:00 – General introductions
10:05 – Healthy Ageing Challenge overview
10:15 – Introduction to Scaling Social Ventures SBRI competition
10:35 – SBRI overview
10:45 – IFS application process
Headed up by our Investment and Technology Innovation Lead, Dr Helen Crampin
The 100% funding provided by this competition, recognises the valuable contribution social enterprises make to society. I’m really looking forward to supporting you through the competition process and ensuring you get the best chance possible of securing this great funding opportunity.
Are you eligible? Do you meet the following requirements?

Exist to provide benefits to society
Have stated commitment to social outcomes for an identified set of beneficiaries related to the social mission
Have objects in constitutional documents, which form a constitutional lock, that protect the mission
Have the policy to distribute profits after tax, or plan to have one, so surpluses are used to achieve social or environmental impacts
Have the capacity and capability to scale your product or service by 25% of the current baseline activity

After the event our online networking tool, Meeting Mojo will be available for use for you to speak to the meeting hosts.

SBRI: INFORMATION EVENT - HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE POLICY DEVELOPMENT
2022-09-12 14:00 - 16:00
The DfE is looking for an innovative solution to support the delivery of its 10x Economic Vision for Northern Ireland

The Department for Economy has a 10X Economic Vision for Northern Ireland, seeing to deliver innovation led, sustainable and inclusive growth.
In the past identifying programme and policy indicators, and linking those to measurement of achievement has been a largely manual process.
DfE is keen to work with innovative companies to create a technical solutions that allows for easy identification of indicators, and allows for intelligent and efficient tracking of performance.
The DfE has been awarded £150,000 to undertake an SBRI research project to assess the technical feasibility of solutions that can capture, baseline, track and report on carbon emissions across the EA’s estate.
The competition is open to all organisations in the EU and UK and Phase 1 will run from September 2022-March 31 2023.
This free to attend session will provide information on the SBRI programme in Northern Ireland, the DfE’s project and how to apply.
For more information about the DfE and 10X Economic Vision:
For further information about SBRI in Northern Ireland and how to apply go to: www.matrixni.org/sbri

Opportunities in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Scheme
2022-09-08 10:00 - 11:30 | Online
Innovate UK KTN in collaboration with the UK Research Office (UKRO) and the UK National Contact Point for the European Innovation Council, Innovate UK would like to invite you to a webinar on the 8th of September which will give you an overview of the EIC and EIC Pathfinder.
The EIC pathfinder programme supports the exploration of bold ideas for radically new technologies. It welcomes the high-risk / high gain and interdisciplinary cutting-edge science collaborations that underpin technological breakthroughs.
Grants of up to 3 to 4 million euro support early stage development of future technologies (e.g. various activities at low Technology Readiness Levels 1-3), up to proof of concept. Pathfinder projects can also receive additional funding for testing the innovation potential of their research outputs.

Who is this Event for?

Applicants participating in EIC Pathfinder projects are typically visionary scientists and entrepreneurial researchers from universities, research organisations, start-ups, high-tech SMEs, or industrial stakeholders interested in technological research and innovation.
Projects typically involve consortia of researchers and other partners from at least three different countries, but there are also opportunities for individual teams and small consortia (two partners).

What is it About?

Blazej Thomas, Senior European Advisor NCP, UKRO will provide an overview of Horizon Europe. Claire Griffin, UK National Contact Point, EIC, Innovate UK will be giving an overview of the EIC, focusing on the Pathfinder scheme, including eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria and on how to move results up the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

Professional and Financial Services Innovation CR&D Competition Briefing Event
2022-09-08 09:00 - 13:00 | Online
Innovate UK will open a new £7m CR&D competition on 5th September, to support digital innovation in Professional and Financial services.
Key themes of the competition are to enable services to under-served and excluded communities, individuals and businesses and to make provision of these professional and financial services more efficient and effective.
The competition will be open for applications from the 5th September until 9th November.

23rd TAROS Conference
2022-09-07 - 2022-09-09 | Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, OX14 3DB, United Kingdom
UKAEA’s RACE will host the 23rd TAROS – the longest running UK-hosted international conference on Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS). It is aimed at the presentation and discussion of the latest results and methods in autonomous robotics research and applications.
TAROS offers a friendly environment for robotics researchers and industry to take stock and plan future progress. It welcomes senior researchers and research students alike, and specifically provides opportunities for research students and young research scientists to present their work to the scientific community.
Deadlines

20th May 2022
Submission deadline (5pm BST)

10th June 2022
Confirmation of acceptance

15th July 2022
Camera-ready paper submission (5pm BST)

The Clean Revolution: Building Northern Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industry
2022-09-06 10:30 | A&L Goodbody, 42-46 Fountain Street, Belfast, BT1 5EB
Join RenewableNI for a free seminar to mark the launch The Clean Revolution, our new offshore wind report.
This free event, sponsored by A&L Goodbody, brings together experts in offshore wind as Northern Ireland prepares to create a new section of the renewable electricity industry.
The Northern Ireland Energy Strategy committed to attracting ‘investment opportunities in offshore and marine developments in Northern Ireland waters’. RenewableNI’s new report The Clean Revolution: Building Northern Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industry explores the economic and environmental benefits.

The session will be opened by Niamh Kenny, Chair of RenewableNI’s Offshore Wind working group, and Project Director for SBM Offshore‘s proposed 400MW North Channel Wind floating wind project.
John Tougher, Senior Associate, A&L Goodbody, will set out the opportunities and challenges of offshore wind.
Report authors BVG Associates will then present the key findings of the report and provide expert analysis and details.
Finally, there will be a question and answer session from the audience.
Refreshments will be provided before and after the seminar.

Printed copies of the report will be available at the launch and then available for free online.

INVENT Awards 2022
2022-09-01 20:00 - 22:30 | ICC Belfast, 2 Lanyon Place, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT1 3WH, United Kingdom
The INVENT 2022 Awards Night at the ICC Waterfront Belfast. Join Catalyst on the 1st September 2022 for Northern Ireland’s biggest celebration of innovation, where they will be showcasing the ten INVENT 2022 finalists, and unveiling the INVENT 2022 overall winner.
Ten finalists | One overall winner | £47,000 worth of funding available
Hosted by William Crawley the Evening includes

Finalist Showcase and Drinks reception
The INVENT Awards including category, student and overall winner announcements
Innovation Founder Award
A 3 course meal featuring local NI produce accompanied with wine

Tickets can be purchased on an individual or table basis.
Finalists include Mind-Mapper Ltd, PulseAI, Vikela Armour, Field of Vision, Plaswire Limited, Phasora Ltd, Linc, Academic Fish Ltd, Thunder, and Allergy Act.

SBRI INFORMATION EVENT: EA CAPTURING OUR CARBON CAPITAL
2022-09-01 09:30 - 11:30 | Online
The Education Authority’s estate covers all of Northern Ireland and comprises more than 200 premises, 2,000 schools, nearly 600 school meals’ kitchens and a fleet of more than 1,000 vehicles. Addressing climate change is a strategic priority and a key objective in meeting the requirements of the Climate Change Act NI 2022.
The EA has been awarded £225,000 to undertake an SBRI research project to assess the technical feasibility of solutions that can capture, baseline, track and report on carbon emissions across the EA’s estate.
The competition is open to all organisations in the EU and UK and Phase 1 will run from September 2022-March 31 2023.
This free to attend session will provide information on the SBRI programme in Northern Ireland, the EA’s project and how to apply.
For more information about the EA: Education Authority
Tender documents will be available to download and for information about the programme and how to apply at SBRI PROJECTS

WEBINAR: Green Economy
2022-08-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
What is the Green Economy and what is the opportunity for Northern Ireland businesses? Why should we act now?
Russell Smyth, Sustainable Futures Partner, KPMG Ireland, William Taylor, Strategy Director, KPMG Ireland and Annie Donegan, Sustainable Futures Consultant, KPMG Ireland talk through findings of a recent report carried out for Invest Northern Ireland looking at the green economy and the implications for Northern Ireland.
They look at what the green economy means, both domestically and globally, the policy drivers and some of the technologies that are going to be deployed in achieving green economy ambitions. They cover the main sectors that are relevant for NI and relevant for our industries and how we can leverage on this opportunity to grow our local and domestic base, touching on the key actions and opportunities for the sector.

Inbound Investors 2022
2022-08-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Titanic Hotel, Titanic Quarter, 8 Queens Rd,, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT3 9DT, United Kingdom
In 2021 Catalyst’s Inbound Investors attracted 63 non-NI Investors to Belfast and scored very highly on their feedback.
This year, Inbound Investors will be held on the 18th October and is a great opportunity to meet the largest number of funders ever to come to NI and accelerate your path to securing potential funding. Inbound Investors will host external Venture Capitalists, Family Offices and Syndicates, a growing number of whom have already invested in NI companies. All coming together in Belfast primed to explore in investable opportunities. They are interested not just in companies raising now, but also in building relationships towards future potential rounds.
As an entrepreneur seeking potential funding, this will be your opportunity to get to the deal tables of Investors.

Space-Enabled Net Zero by 2050: New Opportunities
2022-07-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Online
COP26 concluded with The Glasgow Climate Pact, signed by all participating nations, building on the significant progress and momentum since the Paris Agreement in 2015. Everyone must now act to deliver on the commitments made at COP26.
In the weeks leading up to COP26, the UK published its Net Zero Strategy, which outlined its legislated plans to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and fighting climate change with Space technology was one of the items in the Ten Point Plan in the National Space Strategy. Space technology touches all sectors, and the Space ecosystem has a critical part to play in empowering solutions for climate change and enabling the UK to realise its Net Zero Strategy.
This webinar is the second of a two-part series that will present several concepts on the subject of ‘Space-Enabled Net Zero’, exploring how Space can help us respond to the climate challenges discussed during COP26 and limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. In this second webinar, we will cover the topic of new service delivery and new opportunities. An invited panel will discuss and debate emerging technologies, opportunities, challenges, and impacts surrounding this topic. Participants are also invited to pitch a single slide lightning talk on a concept relating to Space-enabled net zero for discussion and debate.

Support for business innovation - latest developments and priorities for policy - finance, procurement, talent, leadership, and investor skills, and access to market and export opportunities
2022-07-11 08:30 - 13:00 | Online
This conference is discussing priorities for policy and action to support business-led innovation in the UK – in enterprises of all scales, including innovative scale-ups and SMEs.
It is bringing together stakeholders with key policymakers to examine progress and next steps for the Government’s UK innovation strategy and UKRI’s Plan for action for business innovation – with an added discussion focus on priorities following the pandemic.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with Sarah Mackintosh, Deputy Director, Innovation, BEIS; and Dave Wilkes, Director, Innovation Ecosystem, Innovate UK.
Delegates will assess what is needed – from government, regulation, finance and the wider private and public sectors – to help meet the needs of innovators through all stages of corporate and product development, including in R&D, feasibility studies, investment, partnership development and commercialisation.
The agenda looks at:

finance:

growing private investment in UK innovation – leveraging public funding – building specialist investor skills
regulation – use of mechanisms such as BBB & Global Britain Investment Fund

partnerships – better facilitating creation collaboration between investors & businesses – opportunities for sharing knowledge, best practice, intelligence & talent
public procurement – improving tendering processes – mechanisms to better support innovators – widening access & opportunities for SMEs to expand in domestic & international markets
talent – options for domestic and international skills, education & recruitment pathways – potential & use of the new Scale-up, High Potential & Global Mobility visa routes

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside policy officials who are due to attend from DCMS; DIT; the Home Office; IPO; and The Scottish Government.

Angel Investment Awards 2022
2022-07-07 19:00 - 22:00 | Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London, SW7 2DD
Now in its 16th year, the UK Angel Investment Awards are organised by UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) – the UK trade body for Angel and early-stage investment. Representing over 18,000 angels across the UK, we engage and connect our membership base of angel groups, VC, crowdfunds and investment advisers through a year-long programme of events, industry news as well as provide core industry data and policy reports. The UKBAA also set standards and qualifications for angel investing in the UK, through a 3-tier investor accreditation programme validated by OfQUAL, CISI and SFEDI.

Do you know a luminary in early-stage investment or a trailblazing entrepreneur deserving of recognition and celebration of their year of success? Nominate them to be recognised at 2022’s biggest investment awards event.
The winners and finalists will be celebrated at the gala dinner held at Illuminate at the Science Museum in London where we applaud successes from the year while enjoying a 3-course dinner and a champagne reception.
Nominating is easy, free of charge and provides an excellent platform for industry-wide recognition for the winners and finalists. Not only can you nominate for multiple awards, you can self-nominate too!

Scenarios for a Science Superpower
2022-07-06 11:30 - 12:45 | Online
The UK Government has announced in a number of recent policy documents its aim for the UK to become a “science superpower”. What does this mean in practice – and how would we get there? What are the opportunities and the challenges? In this webinar, we will explore these issues, and hear about recent work by Professors Sarah Main and Graeme Reid to develop some potential scenarios for the future.

Speakers

Professor Sarah Main
Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering

Professor Graeme Reid
Chair of Science and Research Policy , University College London

Other Speakers To Be Confirmed

WEBINAR: Spotlight on Australia | Life and Health Sciences
2022-06-29 10:00 | Online
Australia is open for business!
Northern Ireland companies will find a world-leading location for Life and Health Sciences in Australia. It is a market that offers transparency in its regulations, commitment to research and clinical trials, is investing in digital health infrastructure and product and welcomes international collaboration.
To capitalise on the momentum currently building around Life and Health Sciences exports to Australia, Invest Northern Ireland is inviting you to a complementary webinar that will entice, inform and educate you on market opportunities and market entrance advice.
It will feature an expert panel of speakers addressing logistical and compliance issues and sharing commercial opportunities within the sector with a nod to the Biotech & Biopharma sectors.
Angela Foley
Angela Foley is the Founding Director of Foley & Associates Pty Ltd in Australia. She established the company in 2002 with the key objective of providing international trade advice to international organisations seeking to do business in Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Duncan Macinnis
Dr Duncan Macinnis is Director of Stakeholder Engagement for New South Wales (NSW) and ACT at MTP Connect, an organisation aimed at accelerating the growth rate of the Medical Technology, Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical sectors in Australia.
A/Prof Adrian Bootes
Adrian was most recently Associate Secretary for Australia’s regulatory authority, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), implementing 6 new approval pathways and leading the Covid-19 responses.
Agenda
10:00-10:05: Introduction – Suzanne McMillan, Invest Northern Ireland
10:05-10:15: Foley and Associates, Angela Foley
10:15-10:30: Medtech & Pharma Growth Centre (MTP Connect), Dr Duncan Macinnis
10:30-10:45: A/Prof Adrian Bootes
10:45-10:50: Closing Remarks, Suzanne McMillan
10:50-11:00: Q&A

Northern Ireland Automation and Robotics 2022
2022-06-23 10:00 - 17:00 | Titanic Exhibition Centre, 17 Queen's Road, BELFAST, Northern Ireland, BT3 9DU, United Kingdom
The Northern Ireland Automation and Robotics Event is being held in the Titanic Exhibition Centre (TEC) on the 23rd June 2022. Robotics and automation is a rapidly evolving technology. In just a few decades, industrial robots have become commonplace in factory settings across the world, and they only continue to gain popularity for their productivity and profitability.
The world’s leading enterprises and the fastest growing midsize companies – from banking, financial services, insurance, to telco, logistics, transport, food, construction, pharma and healthcare – are increasing investment in automation and robotics. Robotics & automation have created a revolution in industry and most business needs to keep an eye on what’s coming next because this technology is far from done disrupting the way industry works.
Attend this event to gain a better understanding of how your industry is being transformed. Innovative new processes now allow humans and machines to collaborate and work together to create more efficient, sustainable and cost effective products, services and work environments. Meet with robotics providers, systems integrators and providers of gripper technology who will be on hand to demonstrate their solutions at the Automation & Robotics Event.

InterTradeIreland Meet the Buyer event 2022 in partnership with Translink
2022-06-22 08:00 - 15:00 | Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen's Road, Belfast, Belfast, BT3 9EP, United Kingdom
Join InterTrade Ireland on Wednesday 22nd June at the Titanic Belfast for a day of insight and learning. Learn how you can access pipeline contracts valued at £60m+ and make game-changing connections with the decision makers in Translink.
What to expect from the Meet the Buyer event

1-2-1 meetings with Translink’s key decision makers, business users and their primary contractors.
Meet the Translink Procurement Team and gain valuable insights around tendering for Translink contracts.
Meet with representatives from Dublin Bus & Iarnrod Eireann to hear about their business development activities.
Get advice and guidance on tendering and other business supports from InterTradeIreland, Invest NI and eTendersNI.
Engage and network with other suppliers and industry peers.
