Nua Mara’s Matching Project to speed up innovation in the Marine Industry 

Nua Mara have announced a project that will connect companies in the marine industry with research, technology and innovation experts worldwide. 

The Project-research Matching Programme was created to bridge the gap between academic research and industry operations –one of the greatest challenges facing Ireland’s blue economy development. 

Why Is This Important? 

It is clear that there are immense possibilities in the marine industry in Ireland. Ireland has one of the largest marine territories in Europe, yet only a small share of its economic potential has been realised to date. One of the main reasons for this is that marine companies have difficulty sourcing the right expertise at the right time. 

“We often see companies that wish to grow and innovate, but they are not aware of who is working on the solutions they need”, said Máire Ní Éinniú, head of Nua Mara. “At the same time, there are researchers who have spent 10 to 15 years developing excellent research – however this remains stagnant without any commercial or practical application. The experts are there, the solutions are there, but the two sides are not co-operating. This is exactly the problem that this programme aims to solve – leveraging existing research and gathering the right people to advance innovation.” 

Importance for the Gaeltacht 

As part of this project, this programme will be a valuable resource for coastal Gaeltacht communities. “There is a long tradition of fishing and aquaculture in these communities”, Ní Éinniú stated. “The aim of this programme is to ensure that these communities can use the latest innovation to their advantage while they are developing their own businesses.” 

How Will it Work? 

Nua Mara will create a database of expertise that will include: 

• Academic researchers from universities and research institutes 

• Technology developers that are working on new solutions 

• IT Specialists and data for marine apps 

• Engineers and advisers with experience in the industry 

• Start-up businesses with innovative technology 

When a company identifies a challenge or opportunity, Nua Mara will match them with the most suitable experts from its database. 

Starting Points 

The programme is focused on the most important areas for the development of the marine industry in Ireland: 

• Aquacultural technology and bio-innovation 

• Artificial intelligence and digital technology 

• Marine engineering and equipment design 

• Sustainability and the circular economy 

• Business development and market strategies 

Experts Needed 

Nua mara invites experts from around the world to register now. They welcome: 

• Researchers with experience in the marine industry or related areas 

• Technology developers with solutions that can be used in the marine industry 

• Advisers with appropriate skills 

• Strat-up businesses with innovative technology. 

How to Register 

Experts can register through filling out this form and sending it to maire@midc.ie 

About Nua Mara 

Nua Mara – Marine Innovation Development Centre of Ireland – based in Carna, Co. Galway, is at the heart of marine innovation in Ireland. Nua Mara’s goal is to expand the blue economy by supporting marine enterprise, developing research and building strong connections between industry, research and community.