Qubizm squares up to Boston market

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Boston Trade Mission Success

Franz Schlindwein celebrates Boston Trade Mission Success

Qubizm squares up to Boston market: Local businesses hoping to break into the US market are being encouraged to sign up for a special trade mission to Boston Massachusetts, which is being led by Derry City and Strabane District Council working in partnership with Donegal County Council.

The 2017 Trade and Investment Mission, November 14th-17th, will focus on promoting the North West region as an attractive investment proposition for global companies. The trip builds on strong links established over the years as part of an ongoing programme of activities included in Ireland Northwest’s Gateway to Growth Initiative.

Several local companies are already reaping the rewards from previous trade missions – among them Qubizm, a unique company which is hoping to transform the landscape of traditional education with an innovative and engaging new approach to Maths. Qubizm creates specialized learning tools aimed at improving teaching standards and reviving interest in the subject for primary and secondary school children.

Local innovator and educationalist Franz Schlindwein heads up the company, which is now also making positive inroads into the education sector in Boston, Mass. Having travelled with the delegation last year, Franz will be travelling back to Boston next month to follow up on a series of networking opportunities generated from last year’s trip, and is confident that other companies can enjoy similar benefits. He explained more about the company’s groundbreaking work, and why Qubizm is the ideal company to break into overseas markets.

“International Research in the form of the TIMSS Report 2015, shows that 43% of children here are not confident in Maths by the time they reach the age of 13,” he explained. “Up until age 9, that percentage is only 19% – this downturn is a reality and Boston College did the research. The downturn creates major problems for children entering the transition process between Primary and Secondary school phase and we can offer unparalleled support in this area.

“We didn’t want to enter the US market until we knew our product was right, so we’ve been refining the system to the point where we now have the endorsement of the universities, validation from the Inspectorate and Education Authority and published research completed by QUB and Trinity College. Now we have something that is proven to work, we are confident in sharing it with the American market.

“In the US there is significant underperformance in Maths, which varies state by state, but in general, attainment levels are much lower than here. The TIMSS Report also shows NI to have the highest performance levels in Maths of any English speaking country in the world.

“Teachers here embrace Izak9 and 40% of schools have already adopted our system for a variety of uses so the response has been extremely positive.”

Qubizm’s first learning tool Izak9, has been going down a storm in schools across Ireland and the UK, where the colourful cube based system, which is supported by engaging online learning resources, has been bringing teachers and pupils together in developing exciting new strategies for tackling traditional Maths problems.

“When we took our system to Boston, children in the Boys and Girls clubs had the chance to try out the cubes and for example the pupils and teachers at Newman College – which is Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s former school – use them already.

“While there we had several initial meetings with a variety of organisations both in the private and education sectors, and the next step is now for us to capitalize on that experience by travelling out there in June. We’ve had fantastic support since the trade mission, both from Council and from Invest NI, who assisted in setting up meetings with the appropriate points of contact for our company.

“It’s also been a great help having a contact on the ground over there, with business consultant Pat Bench setting up meetings for us with the Mayor’s Department, Boston Public Schools etc.”

Franz Schlindwein from Qubizm celebrates Boston Trade Mission Success

Franz Schlindwein from Qubizm celebrates Boston Trade Mission Success

The future is certainly bright for the company which is currently working closely with local education authorities while keeping their sights set on the lucrative US and Asian markets.
“We have lots of plans in the offing at the moment,” Franz reveals. “As well as our trip back to Boston, where we hope to make further inroads in the market there, we also have plans to translate our system into Mandarin and are in channel partner discussions with a company in the Middle East.

“We are supporting the Attainment Challenge initiative in Scotland where they are seeking to achieve equity in education, as disadvantaged children are greatly affected by the massive socio-economic divide over there. It’s become a major priority for the Scottish government to bridge this gap and they are investing heavily in finding ways to improve attainment levels in Maths. We’re working with 50 schools in Scotland already, and we are also initiating a research project with the Welsh Education Authority in September.

“I would really recommend the trade mission to Boston in terms of the support that is offered to anyone unsure of how to establish those first important links. The follow up support is excellent. Of course it does require effort on the part of the company in keeping the momentum going after the trip, but the rewards are definitely there for those who are committed to pursuing their goal of breaking into the US market.”

Places are available for 12 companies from Derry and Strabane with similar aspirations to gain access to key economic and government decision-makers in Boston. Burgeoning enterprises can develop in-market networks and in-market intelligence though business-to-business meetings with potential partners, agents and customers, as well as gain valuable first hand insight into the US market. The deadline for submissions is 9th June 2017.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the 2017 Trade and Investment Mission to Boston should contact: Rosalind Young/Adam Goodall at Derry City and Strabane District Council michael.tunney@leo.donegalcoco.ie 00353749160735

Apply now for the 2017 Mission at www.derrystrabane.com/bostoncalling
Further information on Izak9 can be found on www.izak9.com

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New Green Energy Fund Launched

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Pictured launching the new Green Energy Fund as part of their commitment to helping green energy projects are James Gibbons and Conor Devine of Clearpath Finance

Pictured launching the new Green Energy Fund as part of their commitment to helping green energy projects are James Gibbons and Conor Devine of Clearpath Finance

Clearpath Finance, a lending solutions platform has launched a new private investment fund to provide at least £30m to green energy projects and assist local businesses in Northern Ireland.

The Green Energy Fund will be available for new and existing wind farms and anaerobic digester businesses and projects across Northern Ireland.

To date Clearpath Finance has drawn down over £8m of new capital for green energy projects since the company was established in 2016. More growth is expected as Northern Ireland seeks to meet an increasing amount of its energy needs from renewable sources. The green sector generated more than £43bn for the UK in 2015, figures recently released from the Office for National Statistics showed.

Conor Devine MRICS of Clearpath Finance said; “We are committed to helping green energy projects in Northern Ireland. Continued growth and investment into this sector is vital as we move to harvest renewable energy sources.At Clearpath Finance we have the capacity to support the green energy sector in Northern Ireland and we will ensure that business lending for the sector is through a simplified, uncluttered and expedient path as well as at a competitive rate.”

Clearpath Finance provides an alternative source of lending as a commercial finance broker working with a number of major lenders across the UK. The company has established excellent relationships working with a select number of peer-to-peer lenders, equity and mezzanine funders and private lending consortiums to go some way to solve the current liquity crisis in the local economy.

James Gibbons, Clearpath Finance added; “Obtaining and delivering finance in this current market can be extremely difficult. At Clearpath, we have identified the support and solutions needed for businesses who are seeking to finance or refinance their business or project at more competitive finance rates than those currently on offer. We will continue to provide new finance streams to businesses across Northern Ireland.”

Clearpath Finance are currently attending this year’s Balmoral Show between the 10th to 13th May 2017 where they are available to discuss renewable energy projects and advise on how best to avail of funding. More information can be founds at www.clearpathfinance.com.

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Derry business woman on why she set up her own business in the city

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Derry business woman on why she set up her own business in the city

Jennifer McKeever of Airporter

Jennifer McKeever of Airporter

“Starting a business at 23 with not much experience in the travel industry, but an insight into the inconvenience for families visiting Northern Ireland, meant the first year was very much about hard work, determination and a lot of learning and we were delighted to record a total of 5,000 passengers, an impressive start for any business. We are delighted to announce that last year our figures rocketed to 150,000 passengers.”

“The best thing about being an entrepreneur is having control of your life. There are enormous, terrifying responsibilities to having your own business that you could never appreciate until you’re there yourself. But, you do have control – I don’t think there many people who can say that and I am very aware that this is a great privilege.”

“When asked if she would start up a business again after the experiences of the last decade.

“There have been many times over the years when I would have to think hard about that, but now when I look back at what we have achieved, I would say yes – that it was the best decision I ever made and would 100% encourage everyone who is thinking about this to take the plunge and go for it!!”

For more details on the 10K Business Challenge go to www.derrystrabane.com/10kChallenge
For more information on the Airporter service in Northern Ireland go to www.airporter.co.uk

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Derry business woman on why she set up her own business in the city

airporter-301310/05/2017

“Starting a business at 23 with not much experience in the travel industry, but an insight into the inconvenience for families visiting Northern Ireland, meant the first year was very much about hard work, determination and a lot of learning and we were delighted to record a total of 5,000 passengers, an impressive start for any business. We are delighted to announce that last year our figures rocketed to 150,000 passengers.”

“The best thing about being an entrepreneur is having control of your life. There are enormous, terrifying responsibilities to having your own business that you could never appreciate until you’re there yourself. But, you do have control – I don’t think there many people who can say that and I am very aware that this is a great privilege.”

“When asked if she would start up a business again after the experiences of the last decade.

“There have been many times over the years when I would have to think hard about that, but now when I look back at what we have achieved, I would say yes – that it was the best decision I ever made and would 100% encourage everyone who is thinking about this to take the plunge and go for it!!”

For more details on the 10K Business Challenge go to www.derrystrabane.com/10kChallenge

For more information on the Airporter service in Northern Ireland go to www.airporter.co.uk

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Derry businesses offered chance to take part in cross-border trade trip to Boston

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Local businesses across the North West are being offered the opportunity to become part of a cross-border trade delegation trip to Boston scheduled for November 2017.Expressions of interest are now being sought for the 2017 Trade and Investment Mission to Boston for any local companies with aspirations to break into the US market.

Boston 2017 Trade Delegation. Civic Leaders

Boston 2017 Trade Delegation. Civic Leaders

The trip is being jointly organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Alderman Hilary McClintock, said the trip offered a major opportunity for businesses in the North West.

I would really encourage any up and coming ventures, or existing companies with plans for expansion, to consider the benefits of establishing trade links with the US,” I travelled to Boston last year as part of a similar delegation and I was extremely impressed by the networking opportunities included in the itinerary. We received an extremely warm welcome during the visit and the participating delegates had the opportunity to establish meaningful and fruitful links with business counterparts in Boston.The NW region’s relationship with the US is a vital factor in our long-term strategy for economic growth and as a council we are committed to strengthening those existing relationships and identifying new opportunities for partnership and investment.

Twelve companies in total will be included in the delegation sourced from both the Derry and Strabane and Donegal County Council areas. They will be accompanied by the Mayors and Chief Executives of both Councils and key partners. A number of business sectors have been identified as priority areas for this trip, to include companies involved in Creative Digital Technologies, Advanced Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering (AMME) and Life and Health Sciences.

This will be the second Trade and Investment Mission led by the councils to this region and will endeavour to nurture and develop existing relationships with key economic, business, political and civic connections in the Boston Massachusetts area which have been progressing since 2008.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Terence Slowey said:

The trade mission offers some unique opportunities for local businesses to engage with key economic and government decision makers, as well as market professionals. It’s a great chance to gain some valuable market insight and establish lasting connections through business to business meetings with potential partners, agents and distributors. Those personal connections can prove invaluable when trying to stand out in an increasingly competitive business arena.”

Potential delegates will receive support throughout the trip and will have the chance to participate in a pre-mission assistance programme, as well as post-trip follow up support. A financial support package towards flights and hotel accommodation is available (50% contribution towards flights and up to £100 per night hotel accommodation) and companies will benefit from extensive local media coverage to heighten their presence in the market.

O’Neills Irish International Sports Company Limited joined the 2016 North West Trade Mission to Boston and Massachusetts jointly lead by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council.
A spokesperson for the company said:

We would recommend the trade mission to any company with serious aspirations about doing business in the Boston and Massachusetts area. The Trade Mission provided the opportunity to explore new markets in Boston/Massachusetts while meeting key Irish community contacts. The council’s network of contacts in Boston/Massachusetts is very well developed and we were given the opportunity to meet with key contacts from the business and political communities. The trip certainly helped O’Neills to build our professional networks and provided insight to a market we know will be a key growth area.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the 2017 Trade and Investment Mission to Boston should contact: Rosalind Young/Adam Goodall at Derry City and Strabane District Council investment@derrystrabane.com 02871 253253 Michael Tunney Donegal Local Enterprise Officemichael.tunney@leo.donegalcoco.ie 00353749160735

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Holiday Inn Invests in Derry~Londonderry

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Holiday Inn Express, Derry, Strand Road

Holiday Inn Express, Derry

Holiday Inn Invests in Derry~Londonderry creating 47 jobs. The Duddy Group is investing £7million to build a new Holiday Inn Express Hotel in Londonderry creating 47 jobs.

The project is being supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for Communities. Announcing the investment, Invest Northern Ireland’s Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton said:

“This new hotel will address a gap in provision of budget hotel accommodation in Londonderry by offering a three-star quality option for visitors.The hotel will have 116 bedrooms, a Marco Pierre New York Italian Restaurant, two meeting rooms and three retail units and will provide accommodation for up to 40,000 visitors a year bringing significant additional revenue to the city

The economic benefit also includes the creation of 47 jobs as well as employment generated during the construction phase and the ongoing benefit to the local supply chain through the purchasing of consumables for use in the hotel.

The addition of this internationally acknowledged brand will underline the city’s position as a quality destination and will contribute to achieving government’s targets to grow tourism revenues to £1 billion and visitor numbers to 4.5 million by 2020.

The new hotel will be located on the corner of Strand Road and Great James Street, not far from the Peace Bridge and close to other key tourist sites such as the Guildhall and the City Walls. Invest NI has offered £724,000 of support and the Department for Communities has offered £475,000 from its Urban Development Grant. The project has also secured £1million of mezzanine funding from Whiterock Capital through Invest NI’s Access to Finance strategy.

Pauline Campbell, Director at Department for Communities stated:

“The £475,000 investment from the Department will unlock significant private and public investment into this project. This new 116 bedroom 3 star hotel will give a much needed boost to the economy as well as regenerating a key site within Londonderry.

Commenting on the development, Brendan Duddy said: “This is an exciting development that will support the wider tourist and hospitality industry in Northern Ireland and provide a new base for visitors to explore the city and surrounding areas. “We wanted to grow tourism in the North West and create employment and business opportunities for service providers in the region. The support from Invest NI and the Department for Communities will enable us to progress our investment plans and we are aiming to have the hotel open for business by early 2018.”

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Pennsylvania Expansion Potential for Local Companies

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Pennsylvania expansion potential for local companies: Business representatives from Pennsylvania have said there could be major opportunities for Derry-based businesses to expand into what has become one of the world’s largest economies

Talks have also been taking place around partnership work with Ulster University about trans-Atlantic collaboration. Joseph Burke, Deputy Secretary for International Business Development at the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, and Richard Kilner, Managing Director, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania European Investment Office, delivered a presentation on potential investment at a Council meeting on 14/03/17 . Addressing Derry & Strabane Council’s Business & Culture Committee, Mr Burke said they saw:

A lot of opportunity on the island of Ireland north and south”

He elaborated that their work centered on attracting business investment into Pennsylvania – the 19th largest economy in the world- and growing the export market. He said that one of the biggest business opportunities in the state revolved around the shale gas natural resources located there and said that fracking has been ongoing for the past 10 years amid tight regulations. Mr Burke said that this was “Creating a new renaissance in Pennsylvania manufacturing.

Other major industries in the State include life sciences, agribusiness and pharmaceutical manufacturing, mirroring some of the biggest employment sectors in Ireland. At present there are 13 businesses from the north of Ireland operating in Pennsylvania, including Almac and Primark, as well as many others from the south. There are now opportunities, Mr Burke said, for joint international ventures. He said that engagement with Derry & Strabane Council has been ongoing since October, with plans to strengthen ties between the two regions.

Sinn Fein Councillor Mickey Cooper said that formalising a mutually beneficial relationship was now “key”, and said there were opportunities for local businesses and the tourism sector to tap into a whole new market. “In many ways there is an open door we can exploit as much as possible,” Colr. Cooper said. “This is opening up opportunities for other organisations- the local university here is very much based on research work, and very much dependant on EU funding, and that’s going to be a problem as well.

“We think there is a lot of untapped potential here.” SDLP Councillor John Boyle said it was “encouraging” that the Pennsylvania representatives were considering that “companies in our part of the world can be of use in what is obviously a very strong and vibrant economy in Pennsylvania”. “We have many talented individuals in this part of the world. One of our problems is we export people,”

Colr. Boyle said, adding it would be better if the region was exporting knowledge and trade. “If your door is open we will be more than happy to facilitate companies from here expanding their business and their presence in Pennsylvania. What we are effectively opening up is that entire area,” he said. UUP Councillor Derek Hussey said that the research and development potential in conjunction with Magee and the North West Regional College was of particular interest. Mr Burke said he has met with the Ulster University representatives on several occasions, including in San Diego and Chicago. “On the life science front I think there’s a lot of synergy,” he said. “The desire is to continue that conversation.”

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Cognitive Analytics Research Lab launched with £4m Investment in Derry

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Magee Campus

Ulster University Magee (HQ) Cognitive Analytics Research Lab (CARL)

Cognitive Analytics Research lab launched with £4m investment in Derry. Ulster University today cemented its reputation as a global leader in data analytics research with the launch of Northern Ireland’s first data analytics institute, creating 12 new research level posts and delivering £4 million in salaries over the next 5 years.

Bringing together businesses, government and advanced research expertise, Ulster University’s Cognitive Analytics Research Lab, will build upon the University’s existing internationally renowned research expertise in data analytics. It will be headquartered at Ulster University’s Magee campus with offices in Belfast campus.

With 90 per cent of the data in the world today being created in the last two years, data analytics research and the development of cognitive applications to support rapid decision making has never been more important. The global potential is vast across multiple domains including health and medical research, financial technology, international finance, advanced manufacturing and energy, media, and increasingly, government policy and decisions.

The Cognitive Analytics Lab will harness the full potential of over £30 million already recently invested by the University into data analytics related research projects.

It will consolidate existing and future high-quality skills and resources to drive the local research agenda and enhance Northern Ireland’s international competitiveness.

Across Ulster University, 60 research staff are already engaged in data analytics related research, representing a diverse range of sectors from personalised medicine to financial technology. Recruitment will now begin immediately for the additional 12 new academic posts, based across both sites, which will deliver in excess of £4 million in annual salaries into the local economy over the next 5 years.

Ulster University is partnering with Catalyst Inc to engage with the wider community and create an entrepreneurial eco-system. Letterkenny Institute of Technology is supporting skills development and delivery of increased research capacity on a cross border basis.

Ulster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paddy Nixon, said:

The Cognitive Analytics Research Lab, conceived and built from the ground up through collaborative consultation with our industry and civic stakeholders across Northern Ireland, will consolidate the internationally renowned expertise already evident throughout the University. Its founding principles reflect both Westminster and NI industrial strategy priorities; to put in place the foundations of competitiveness and ensure that as an internationally focused University, that we stand ready to maximise our contribution to economic prosperity. Through the lab, we can ensure that we maximise our industry partnerships and academic collaborations to deliver even greater economic and societal impact with pioneering solutions. Importantly, one of our key priorities will be to ensure that the lab leverages the potential of open government data, enabling our research to inform public policy and transform the lives of our citizens.

I am proud of our long history of expertise in Data Analytics and the contribution Ulster University researchers have made to core industry sectors, healthcare and beyond. From our Centre for Stratified Medicine to research into Functional Brain Mapping, our Capital Markets Collaboration to most recently, our INTERREG-supported Centre for Precision Medicine, Ulster University is ensuring that the potential to harness the power of data and develop computer systems with cognitive thought processes can be fully realised.”

The key focus for the centre will be application of research in Cognitive Analytics in a number of domain areas including (but not limited to):

  • Health
  • Financial Technology
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Media
  • Energy
  • Civic Society and Public Policy
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U.S. Packaging Company Chooses Londonderry for 95 Job Business Services Centre

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Bemis invests in Derry - Londonderry

JOBS: Bemis Company’s Marty Scaminaci, left, with Invest NI chief executive Alastair Hamilton

U.S. Packaging Company, Bemis Company, Inc., is establishing its European Business Services Centre in Campsie, Londonderry, creating up to 95 jobs by 2021.

Headquartered in Wisconsin, the global polymer-based packaging company is setting up this new Business Services Centre in Northern Ireland to support its European operations. It already has an established healthcare packaging manufacturing facility in Campsie.

Bemis is planning to create up to 95 new positions in Finance and IT over the next five years, offering competitive salary and benefit packages. Recruitment could extend to other functions in the future.

Invest NI CEO Alastair Hamilton said:

“Bemis Company makes a valuable contribution to Northern Ireland’s vibrant Life Sciences industry, employing over 200 staff at its manufacturing facility. This investment to establish its European Business Services Centre here is a significant coup for Londonderry”.

“A number of other locations were considered for this project, but as a result of the collaborative efforts of Invest NI and Derry City & Strabane District Council, we successfully pitched the city as an attractive investment location.

Bemis Company, Inc., a NYSE listed business, delivers flexible and rigid plastic packaging for food, consumer products, medical, and pharmaceutical companies around the globe.

Marty Scaminaci, Bemis Company’s Vice President of Global Business Services said:

“Establishing our European Business Services Centre in Londonderry is a strategic investment to help drive efficiencies and standardise our processes. We have successfully operated a manufacturing facility in Northern Ireland since 1996, and know it to be a great location to do business. The availability of skilled graduates in the area, engagement of local council representatives, and the support offered from Invest NI were all critical factors in our decision to locate this centre in Northern Ireland.”

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Derry to London Stanstead Air route Announced

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City of Derry Airport

bmi regional to operate two return flights per day between City of Derry Airport and London Stanstead

Derry to London Stanstead Air route: 23/02/2017.  The UK Government has today announced £3.8 million for a Derry to London air route. bmi Regional has been chosen as the preferred operator for the route between City of Derry Airport and London Stansted, following a competitive tender process by Derry City & Strabane District Council.

Flights will begin on 02nd May 2017. The new service will include two return flights each day, except for Saturdays which will have one flight each way. The route, which is a public service obligation, or PSO, has previously only been operated on a daily basis.The new bmi regional service will be twice daily every day except Saturdays (when there will be one flight each way) and timed to compliment business schedules Secretary of State James Brokenshire MP said

“£3.8 million in UK Government funding will allow 13 return flights to connect Londonderry to London every week. The new service will allow business passengers to get to central London and complete a full day’s work before returning home”.

Jochen Schnadt, chief commercial officer of bmi regional, commented:

“The North West region of Ireland is undergoing a sustained period of economic growth, and has received significant investment in new jobs and growth projects over the past 12 months. It is important for businesses that the region is well connected to the UK capital and bmi regional is proud to be bringing its quality, premium product to this route. Whereas previously business travellers between Derry and London have had to stay overnight in the city, they will now be able to commute there and back in a day, saving both money and time, and hopefully resulting in continued economic growth for the Derry region.”

Northern Ireland’s second city, Derry is an economic, creative and cultural hub. In 2013, it was named the UK City of Culture thanks to its winning combination of rich cultural heritage and vibrant social scene. The only completely walled city in Ireland and the UK, it is a bustling, youthful city with great restaurants, bars, museums and more. It is also the gateway to the wider North West and its spectacular coastline, which is regularly used for big film productions including the latest Star Wars franchise and Game of Thrones.

The new route will go on sale 09 March 2017, with fares starting from £44 one way. All bmi regional fares include 23kg of hold luggage, allocated seating, complimentary in-flight drinks and snacks and speedy 30 minute check-ins.

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