Smart Dublin and Enterprise Ireland have launched the Three Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) competitions, with up to €600k in funding.
Announced earlier this week, the challenges aim to source smart and low cost innovative solutions to tackle illegal dumping, to monitor and predict blocked gullies in high risk flooding areas and to design wayfinding solutions in the Dublin region.
The wayfinding challenge is being launched in partnership with the Grangegorman Development Agency. Successful applicants will be selected by an open competition process run in two phases (feasibility and prototyping).
It is open to anyone with an idea or solution, including organisations of all sizes, tech developers, solution and service providers, universities and entrepreneurs.
This competition follows on from the success of the SBIR cycle challenge last year which funded €150k of innovation contracts.
Launching the initiative Minister Catherine Byrne said: “I see a great opportunity here for this process to have an impact right across Ireland, allowing the public sector and innovative businesses and entrepreneurs to tackle some of the challenges that affect communities in the areas of illegal dumping and flooding risk.”
“As well as this, helping people of all abilities to get around in an easier way is something I absolutely support and welcome and I look forward to seeing the results in action.”
Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland said: “Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Ireland is the national innovative pre-commercial procurement initiative, administered by Enterprise Ireland.”
“Recognised internationally as a proven approach that works for both public bodies and companies, it facilitates SMEs with early stage ideas to access public sector procurement opportunities.”
“This new fund has the potential to create in-demand technologies and innovations which can be adopted quickly to make positive and significant societal impacts.”
The three challenges will be open for applications from 26th April until 9th June at www.etenders.gov.ie.
For further information on the challenges visit www.smartdublin.ie
