The
National
Technological
Park
What is a Technology Park?
The concept of a Science or Technology Park started in the US after the Second World War and developed throughout Europe in the 1970’' and 1980's as a way of developing a suitable environment for technology based businesses. A Science or Technology Park is defined as a business location which has the following elements:-
- Linkages into a University or Research Institute
- An incubation facility for growing new technology businesses
- A Park management activity which manages the overall development, particularly in linking the Park firms to the University resources.
What is the National Technological Park?
The National Technological Park in Limerick is run as a Shannon Development enterprise in partnership with the University of Limerick. The Park was formally inaugurated in 1984 and its mission is to create an integrated environment for technology / knowledge based enterprise. The Park has now grown to a 650 acre site on the banks of the River Shannon with the University of Limerick at its core.
There are now over 80 separate organisations on the Park including:
- subsidiaries of multinational companies
- Irish technology companies R&D consultancy units
- support services
Employment in these organisations now totals 2,500.
What is the role of the Innovation Centre?
The Innovation Centre was the first building established on the National Technological Park in the early 1980’s. Its role is a central one in that it is the facility which provides the supports and programmes for individuals and teams in establishing new Irish companies which are technology based. The supports which the Innovation Centre offers include the following:
- Incubator Facilities
Small starter units can be rented on flexible short term leases and tenants can avail of common support services such as reception / telephone answering; use of office equipment and meeting rooms and access to an Internet node.
- Training
An Entrepreneurs Programme at the Innovation Centre provides comprehensive business training as well as supports in the formation of business teams which will establish technology firms.
- Incentives Package
A range of grant incentives and seed and equity investments are available through the Innovation Centre to cover business feasibility studies, product research and development, training, rent and equipment costs.
- Access to Resources
The Innovation Centre provides a network whereby new start-up technology businesses can link into resources of the University of Limerick and the National Technological Park. Examples of such resources include the product development facilities of MAC - the National Microelectronics Applications Centre; the information resources of the Campus Library through BTiS (Business and Technical Information Services); and the Marketing Centre for Small Business.
What are the main types of linkage between the Campus and Park companies?
Companies operating on the National Technological Park link into the University of Limerick in a variety of ways:
- Co-operative Education/Graduate Placement
The University of Limerick operates a Co-operative Education Programme whereby all undergraduates spend a period of placement with companies. Numerous Park companies participate in this Programme.
- Campus Enterprise
A Campus Enterprise Programme is operated jointly by the University and the Innovation Centre and provides support for businesses emanating from the Campus. There are many examples of Park companies in which a University faculty member or graduate is involved e.g. Interpro Systems, Ashling Microsystems, Software Architects International and W3 Services.
- Access to Technology / Research
Park companies have been able to access the specialist resources of Campus Centres such as MAC and BTiS mentioned above and the PATs (Programmes in Advanced Technology) i.e. Multimedia Centre, AMT Ireland, Materials Ireland, Power Electronics Ireland and Teltec - Telecommunications Research Centre.
- Sports and Leisure Activities
The Park encourages informal linkages and interaction between University personnel and Park enterprises through a variety of sports and leisure activities e.g. a Park Golf Society and a Leisure & Fitness Programme planned for 1996 in co-operation with the Department of Sports Science.
- Information Sharing
A range of information - sharing mechanisms are used to ensure that the Park and University operate as a strongly networked community e.g. Park Bulletin, Park Directory, CD-ROM featuring all Park organisations and Park Newsletter.
What Sectors do Park Companies operate in?
Most companies on the Park fall into the electronics / software categories. These include subsidiaries of multinationals such as AST Computers, which has its European Fulfilment Centre on the Park, and Cabletron Systems, which manufactures a range of computer network products. Irish technology companies in the electronics sector operating on the Park include Ashling Microsystems (microprocessor development systems), Blackbird Data Systems (computerised shop floor management systems) and Inspectron (vision inspection equipment).
Future issues of ELEMENTS will include profiles of some of the companies on the National Technological Park.
[Last | Elements | UL Home
| Next]
Last updated 13th March 1996 by Stephen Childs