How can Innovation Vouchers be used?

The voucher can be used to purchase a Knowledge Provider’s expertise to help deliver a knowledge solution to an innovation project. This expertise will come from the 38 knowledge providers based in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland including Universities, Colleges of further & Higher Education and other publicly funded  research  organisations.  See full list of Knowledge Providers on the website.

What is meant by innovation?

An innovation project can take many different forms.  It could mean finding more cost effective ways of doing things or adding additional dimensions to your products or services.  It could also provide information on new materials and products, improve processes or offer research to find a solution to a problem.  An innovation project should add value to your business, helping to keep you ahead of the competition and improve your main concern - bottom line profitability.

Eligible Activities

Innovation Vouchers can be used for any kind of innovation such as:

• innovation / technology audit;

• tailored training in innovation management;

• new business model development;

• new service delivery and customer interface;

• new service development;

• Knowledge of product and service testing and economic impact assessment efficiency audits, process change,
  supply chain management and logistics.

Vouchers can also be exchanged for knowledge transfer projects from the Knowledge Provider.

(For the purposes of this programme, a knowledge transfer project is defined as one that transfers knowledge of a scientific, technological or innovative nature that is new to the small enterprise. The small enterprise may then use the new knowledge to innovate a product, process or service).

Ineligible Activities

The Innovation Voucher may not be used for activities such as:

• achieving compliance with statutory regulations or legislation
• standard training courses
• software purchases and software development
• aid that would promote/subsidise the cost of exports
• internships for students of knowledge institutions
• design and production of advertising material
• sales activities
• business plans and economic appraisals
• website development and online optimisation
• activities that might be supported by other Invest NI mainstream support mechanisms

Where there is an existing solution in the marketplace then it is unlikely that a voucher will be awarded.

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your activity prior to submitting an application.