In the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, Momentum One Zero is rapidly emerging as a new beacon for innovation and industry collaboration in the region. As one of the flagship projects under the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD), Momentum One Zero, led by Queen’s University Belfast, is setting the stage for transformative advancements across multiple sectors.
The innovation centre has been created out of a £70 million investment from Queen’s, the NI Executive, and the UK Government. It aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industry needs by focusing on secure connected intelligence, encompassing areas like cyber security, health and agri-food and beyond to tackle the world’s toughest challenges across multiple sectors.
While the physical infrastructure, set to be completed by 2027, is still under development, the initiative is already making waves with its innovative business model.
There are fewer global brands more recognised than McDonalds, and Momentum is working alongside the company and local AgriTech firm CattleEye to commercialise computer vision technology designed to capture vital welfare data for the poultry industry.
This, says Executive Director Dr Stephen McCabe, is precisely the type of opportunity he would like to see extended to more SMEs here.
“We are open for business and eager to work with SMEs that can benefit from our secure connected intelligence expertise,” he says. “Our goal is to co-locate with companies, combining their engineers with ours to drive innovation and commercial success.”
As if to demonstrate its commitment to engage across a diverse array of industry sectors, Momentum One Zero will be contributing to a number of panels including Advanced Manufacturing, Digital Health and AgriTech.
Presented by Analytics Engines, #BDB2024 aims to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration, equipping attendees with insights to drive transformative change across various sectors. From the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science at Queen’s, and leading AI researcher working with Momentum One Zero, will be Professor Iain Styles; Michaela Fox, the Business Development Manager for agrifood; and Paul Murnaghan, as Chair of the Industry Advisory Board. They are among the 70+ expert speakers expected to take to the stage as part of the agenda at the ICC on Wednesday October 23.
The Momentum team is now actively seeking collaboration with SMEs ready to scale, particularly those with capabilities in AI and digital technologies. Their integrated tech stack is neatly aligned with Northern Ireland’s growth priorities, ensuring that each project not only advances technology but also stimulates the local digital ecosystem.
The team was instrumental in securing a £6.25 million grant from UK Research and Innovation to reimagine supply chains in the UK. This ambitious project involves schools within Queen’s University and is led by Queen’s Business School with specialised supply chain expertise.
Stephen says: “Our engineering capability allows us to support these ventures with deep tech solutions, investigating the feasibility of digital twins in sectors like critical minerals and fashion. This layered investment approach is key to driving diverse, impactful projects.”
Momentum One Zero brings strategic alignment with government policies and proactive engagement with various sectors - the next step is to bring in investors and industry leaders via investor days and pitch sessions.
“Our goal is to convene investor days where groundbreaking projects can showcase their potential to a room full of investors, paving the way for significant growth and commercialisation opportunities,” he says.
Looking ahead, Momentum One Zero plans to replicate its successful model across various domains, starting with digital health. By co-locating with companies to deliver industry-led work, the initiative aims to seed clusters of innovation that can drive regional and global advancements.
“Our ultimate aim,” says Stephen, “is to stimulate the digital ecosystem by not only driving innovation projects but also nurturing the next generation of leaders in technology. Success for us means seeing companies thrive because of their collaboration with Momentum One Zero.”
With a clear vision, strategic partnerships, and a relentless focus on commercialisation, the organisation is poised to become a cornerstone of technological advancement and economic prosperity in the region.
“Momentum One Zero’s vision is to build a robust digital ecosystem that not only propels Northern Ireland into the forefront of tech innovation but also sets a benchmark for collaborative excellence globally,” he says.
The success of these endeavours will be measured not just by the number of innovative projects but by the tangible outcomes they produce. “If, in a few years, companies stand up and say they achieved significant milestones because of their collaboration with Momentum One Zero, we will know we’ve done our job,” says Stephen.
Presented by Analytics Engines, and with the support of headline sponsor EY, #BDB2024 aims to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration, equipping attendees with insights to drive transformative change across various sectors. The conference is also supported by Aflac NI, Allstate NI, Daily Pay, Dell Technologies, Microsoft, MCS Group, Rapid 7, Synechron, Momentum One Zero, Visit Belfast and Invest Northern Ireland.
For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, log on to www.bigdatabelfast.com
Big Data Belfast 2024 is a must-see event as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, showcasing the latest innovations in data and AI with expert speakers and dynamic panel discussions on critical topics like Generative AI and Digital Transformation. This year's conference promises unparalleled opportunities for attendees to connect with industry leaders and gain insights into how data can drive innovation across various sectors, including healthcare, technology, and sustainability. Given that last year's event sold out, it’s essential to book early to secure your tickets and ensure you don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of the conversation shaping the future of data and AI. Tickets are available now via www.bigdatabelfast.com
Source: Momentum One Zero
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