Tyndall to help create 100 new jobs per annum | Stephen Barry

Tyndall National Institute’s new 5-year strategic plan outlined the UCC research centre’s aim to help create 500 new jobs by 2018. These jobs will come in high-tech start-ups, foreign multinationals coming to Ireland and already established Irish companies.The plans were unveiled by Minister for Jobs, Research and Innovation Richard Bruton, who used Tyndall as an example of the Government’s employment plans.

“Tyndall is a top-class research centre which has established a global reputation over its decade in existence; it is an example of what we are trying to deliver across our research infrastructure.“A key part of the Government's Action Plan for Jobs is our determination to build on the major successes in science, technology and innovation we have achieved over the past decade and turn more good ideas into good jobs.”

A first step in this direction for Tyndall is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Dyke Parade-based research centre and PCH International, a Cork headquartered company with 5,000 staff and revenue figures of $710m in 2011.Speaking at the announcement, Tyndall National Institute CEO, Dr. Kieran Drain said:

“As part of our clear strategy to derive economic impact from research excellence, Tyndall is focused on generating employment and building capacity within the technology space across Ireland.”

The MoU provides for close collaboration between Tyndall and PCH. Researchers located in the Tyndall building will have greater access to PCH's two programmes for start-ups, Highway1 and PCH Accelerator.The Institute currently employs over 460 researchers, engineers and support staff and generates around €30m in income each year, with 85% of that income coming from competitively won contracts nationally and internationally.Meanwhile PCH, who sell product development and supply chain management services to a range of companies, will be able to use Tyndall's international network of over 200 industry clients to identify market opportunities.

“Together we aim to provide end-to-end support for high-tech start-ups from concept to shelf,” continued Drain, “benefiting from PCH's insights as a market leader to extend commercial reach from Ireland to China and beyond.”

Potential joint-projects will target the electronics, medical devices, energy and communication industries with research and development to occur at Tyndall's unique state-of-the-art research and pilot-line fabrication facilities in Cork.Commenting on the partnership, PCH International CEO, Liam Casey said:

“We are delighted to partner with Tyndall. The research work we have seen from them is world-class, particularly in the health and wellness market, and we are both focused on promoting successful high potential hardware start-ups.“Tyndall's expertise in ICT hardware research, combined with PCH expertise in getting products to market, means that we are creating huge opportunities for entrepreneurs in Ireland to achieve success on a global scale.”

Minister for Research and Innovation, Sean Sherlock who was also present at the launch added,

“Commercialisation and market reach are key to deriving maximum value from research.“The Tyndall-PCH partnership is a prime example of what can be achieved when industry and research institutes work together and will be a flagship collaboration for Ireland, working to incubate start-ups, provide better jobs and drive Irish and European competitiveness.”