Overview

Things Connected Northern Ireland, a local public-sector consortium, has partnered with the technical innovation accelerator Digital Catapult, to bring an internet of things (IoT) network to Northern Ireland.

We are breaking down the barriers to technology by providing an LPWAN (Lorawan ®) network that is free to use and available to IoT entrepreneurs and developers to prototype, test and scale up IoT ideas. We hope the provision of the network will encourage the deployment of sensors, applications and services, and enable businesses to develop exciting and novel IoT products and services.

Things Connected NI seeks to build on the region’s growing strengths in the digital sector. We are encouraging businesses and researchers to discover new ways of solving challenges using digital technology and artificial intelligence.

Challenge Calls

To support these aims Things Connected Northern Ireland have developed a Challenge Programme. Aimed at SMEs, the programme will provide support for Northern Ireland companies that want to enhance their competitive edge by working together to address challenges in urban and rural Northern Ireland.

The combined pot of £145k will be divided across the projects and phases.

Initially, £2,000 will be available for up to 25 collaborations seeking to explore innovation in:

• Agriculture
• Creative Technologies
• Healthcare
• Playable cities (Animating the public realm)
• Manufacturing 
• Smart Buildings
• Tourism
• Transportation and logistics

Further funding may be available for those proposals that have business growth potential.

The launch event will provide you with more details on the Things Connected NI programme, the challenge areas, and the practicalities of participating in the challenge programme. There will also be opportunities for networking.

This event is brought to you by a consortium of Northern Ireland partners including Ulster University; Invest Northern Ireland; Belfast City Council; Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council; Ards and North Down Borough Council; Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council; Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council; Derry City and Strabane District Council; Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council; Mid and East Antrim Borough Council; Newry, Mourne and Down  District Council; and Innovate UK, powered by Digital Catapult. Please note that by registering for this event you are agreeing to sharing your information with these partners to facilitate the event and to contact you after the event.

Programme