288 small companies in the Border Region have used a €5,000 Innovation Voucher from Enterprise Ireland to access research and business innovation services from IT Sligo and the Food Technology Centre, St. Angela’s College along with other knowledge providers throughout the country.

Pictured at the Event in Dublin were (l to r):

Niall McEvoy, Head of Innovation, IT Sligo; Carole Brenan, Enterprise Ireland, Sligo; Clodagh Fitzgerald, Manager, St. Angela’s Food Technology Centre, Sligo; Seamus Sheeran, Frozen Pet Zerts and Conor Lenihan TD, Minister for Science Technology,  Innovation and Natural Resources.

A great example of a company benefiting from the Innovation Voucher scheme is IT Sligo Innovation Centre company Petzerts.  Founder Seamus Sheeran also previously participated in the enterprise development programme CÉIM at IT Sligo.

Frozen Pet Zerts is a frozen treat for dogs and was launched at Pet Expo 2009 in the RDS.  Seamus Sheeran researched the market for a number of years and found that the products were available in the US but not available in Europe so he trademarked the idea.

Seamus used his first innovation voucher at the Food Technology Centre at St Angela’s College in Sligo and they developed a recipe for his frozen treats.  He then went on to receive another voucher which was used to further ongoing product and flavour development.

Frozen Pet Zerts was one of the companies present at a special event in Dublin on 1st September to celebrate the success of the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher initiative.  Minister Conor Lenihan attended the event and presented 5 top knowledge provider awards for their work on Innovation Vouchers.  The award was given in recognition of the efforts for the last three years in collaborating with industry.  Helping them to solve business and technical challenges and enabling them to move businesses like Frozen Pet Zerts on to the next level.

Enterprise Ireland Regional Director Conor Fahy congratulates Frozen Pet Zerts and St Angela’s College on their partnership.  “Innovation Vouchers open doors for small companies like Frozen Pet Zerts to the rich knowledge resources and equipment in research institutes.  I would encourage all small companies in the Border region to consider applying for an Innovation Voucher in the next call which opens on 1st October 2010.

To be successful in an application for an Innovation Voucher, a company’s project must require an innovative solution, provide additional value for the company and have on-going benefits

Visit www.innovationvouchers.ie to apply.