Aoife McDowell

Columnist

Aoife McDowell,

Sync NI

Let’s Talk Tech

Innovation and opportunities: The spotlight continues to shine brightly on Northern Ireland’s technology sector.

As restrictions ease and life begins to adjust to the new normal, Northern Ireland is ahead of the curve, leading the way in both business and technological innovation.

NI fi rm to deliver government’s Help To Grow Digital programme

Northern Ireland company Zymplify has been appointed as a preferred supplier to deliver Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s digital growth plan for small and medium-sized businesses, helping them to learn new skills, reach new customers and boost profi ts.

The Portstewart-based company has been approved to provide three innovative digital solutions to empower users to enhance their marketing and sales performance.

After a rigorous application process, Zymplify was one of a small number of UK vendors to be awarded the contract to deliver the scheme through which eligible deliver the scheme through which eligible businesses will be able to get a discount of up to 50% on the costs of approved digital software including Zymplify Starter Package, Zym Lite and Zym Pro.

Michael Carlin, chief executive of the Zymplify Group, said the team was delighted to be chosen to support SMEs on the scheme. He commented: “From day one, our goal at Zymplify has been to help real business owners use digital technology to grow their business – a vision that is mirrored by Help to Grow Digital. Like the Chancellor, we believe that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy. We are a small business ourselves and created Zym and Zymplify for people like us – real business owners who want to save time, save money and grow.”

Artemis Technologies opens new manufacturing facility in Belfast

Artemis Technologies has opened a new facility on Belfast Lough as it prepares to commence testing of its transformative new Artemis eFoiler(R) electric propulsion system. The 42,200 sq ft facility in Titanic Quarter’s Channel Commercial Park will house the company’s manufacturing and engineering teams as it brings to market a range of green technologies and vessels including workboats, passenger ferries and leisure craft, as well as Crew Transfer Vessels for the offshore wind sector.

The fi rst test vessel to be powered by Artemis Technologies’ revolutionary Artemis eFoiler(R) electric propulsion system, an 11m workboat, is expected to take to the water in a matter of weeks.

Speaking on the news, Artemis Technologies Commercial Director, David Tyler, said: “It is an important step forward in our mission to help deliver a sustainable maritime future and brings us closer to returning commercial shipbuilding to Belfast – one of the key drivers behind our decision to locate in Northern Ireland. What we will create here in Northern Ireland we hope will create an impact on a global scale, providing commercially viable solutions that will help not just the UK, but countries across the world to realise their netzero targets.”

Local HBAN business angel network hits milestone of £10m invested into NI companies

Business angel network HBAN Ulster has announced its members have reached the significant landmark of investing over £10m into early-stage companies in Northern Ireland since the network was established in late-2018.

HBAN’s Ulster network, which is managed by Clarendon Fund Managers in NI, has more than 120 members who have done deals with an average investment value of £150,000, representing an overall investment of £10m from business angels within investment rounds totalling £50m.

Eighty companies have pitched at 18 events over the last three years with nearly 20% of pitches being from entrepreneurial female founders.

Speaking about the investments, Jim Curran, HBAN Ulster Regional Manager and Director of Clarendon, said: “We have been delighted to see the HBAN Ulster network grow, even during the pandemic, and continue to see a really high percentage of active members doing deals together and investing in some of NI’s fastest-growing companies and brightest prospects.”

Co-Fund NI is part of Invest NI’s Access to Finance portfolio and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme 20142020.

Signifyd adopts four-day workweek to avoid burnout, promote employee wellness and foster creativity

Commerce protection provider Signifyd has announced that it will permanently shift its operation to a four-day workweek after months of trials that proved beneficial to productivity and employee satisfaction.

The company has said pandemic pressures inspired company leaders to design a workweek that provides the flexibility to balance work, family and community responsibilities while accommodating aspirations beyond work.

While company leaders had long discussed the move, the unique pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic played a key role in focusing attention on the change.

Speaking about the decision, Senior Vice President of People Operations, Emily Mikailli, said: “When employees are literally working in the same place where they’re supposed to play and relax, burnout just becomes a very real possibility. The data demonstrates that four-day workweeks have proven to help with that. Our business is based on the power of data. It wouldn’t make much sense to ignore the data in this case, especially when it concerns an issue that is vital to our employees’ wellbeing.”

The company believes the keys to a successful four-day workweek programme are communication and flexibility.

Productivity did not wane during the company’s months-long trial of shorter workweeks and employees expressed broad support for the innovative initiative, both of which were key in adopting the arrangement permanently.