gateway UCC is managed by UCC’s Office of Technology Transfer. With capacity to support 15 knowledge-intensive start-ups at any one time, it forms a key element of the University’s strategic development plan to translate world class research into new companies, create export driven jobs and generate an economic return for Ireland. As well as UCC spin-out companies, gatewayUCC will facilitate the growth of ‘spin-ins’ from other research centres and will promote academic partnerships with industry.

Marking the effectiveness of UCC’s technology transfer strategy, the launch of a new spin-out firm – 3PRO EnergyWatch - was also announced. 3PRO EnergyWatch has developed a green IT software solution that automates the shutdown and hibernation of a company's computer systems resulting in significant cost savings and a lower carbon footprint. The company has just signed a contract for its systems with Cork County Council and has a number of other sales prospects currently in sight. It currently employs seven and plans to increase this to 20 as it grows its business.

3PRO Energy Watch emerged from research at UCC’s Business Information Systems department. Another UCC spin-out, Thinksmart Technologies is creating up to 30 new jobs which will also be located at gatewayUCC.

Minister O'Keeffe said the gatewayUCC business incubation centre, which is jointly financed by UCC and Enterprise Ireland, would be a strong platform for innovative start-up firms to produce new products and services and create high-quality jobs. “The centre aligns well with Government policy to translate world-class research into new firms, create high-quality export-driven jobs and generate a sustainable economic dividend for the country,” said the Minister.

UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy said: “As one of the pillars of our strategic development plan, gatewayUCC is uniquely placed to harness the world class research and multidisciplinary capabilities of UCC. gatewayUCC will be a dynamic catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship and a hub for knowledge intensive activities in UCC’s key research areas of ICT, Food, Life Sciences and Pharma.” “We envisage the launch of several spin-outs this year, following seven such launches in the last two years,” he added.

Dr Martin Lyes, Divisional Manager, Research & Innovation, Enterprise Ireland, said that EI’s support was a signal of the agency’s commitment to work closely with UCC in helping it to build and sustain its critical role in Irish economic development. “The established research strengths of the college create a wellspring of ideas and talent that can lead to a flow of high quality start-ups. gatewayUCC will provide the support which will allow these companies to grow quickly.”

The gatewayUCC centre is located in close proximity to UCC research bases including the Tyndall National Institute (Ireland’s leading ICT research Institute) and other respected research centres – Food Health Ireland, the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre and the Environmental Research Institute among other research resources.

gateway UCC provides its clients with all the ongoing supports and opportunities they need to drive growth in their companies. One such example is 3PRO Energy Watchwhere Chief Executive, Sean Cronin said, “We have benefited strongly from the commercial and business development expertise available through gatewayUCC which has already enabled us to win new business and plan further growth.

Pictured at the launch of the gatewayUCC Incubation Centre were: Dr Martin Lyes, Divisional Manager, Research & Innovation, Enteprise Ireland, Dr Michael Murphy, President, UCC, Mr Batt O’Keeffe, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr Brendan Cremen, Director, Office of Technology Transfer, UCC.

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