“COVID-19 has brought many challenges, but there are also opportunities and some Northern Ireland SME businesses are looking to take advantage of this.”

“Known for its innovation, diversity and talent our technology sector is made up of over 1,200 international and local companies. Many of these companies have not only had to rapidly adapt their own ways of working as a result of COVID-19, but are also using their digital solutions to help other businesses adapt.”

These aren’t necessarily big firms with lots of resources behind them. They are small and medium companies still continuing to grow through seeking out new ways to build a digital future for business.

SMEs Crowded Space Drones, Haru, Innovate XL, Obbi Solutions, SureCert and Vertical Structure are each innovating to develop new products and services that help other businesses change how they work. Collectively these companies have invested over £1.8million in their businesses.

Invest NI has worked in partnership with these companies, including us, to help develop and support growth plans through a variety of advice on breaking into new global sectors and export markets, along with financial assistance to develop their products and services, and create over 25 new jobs between them.

Obbi Solutions used Invest NI’s R&D assistance to develop its Obbi Lite business management platform. It is now adapting the platform to help manufacturing, construction, hospitality, healthcare and many other sectors stay compliant with new safety regulations.

“We have adapted our Obbi Lite platform to help businesses get back to work safely after COVID-19. We’ve been able to carry out this innovation with the support of Invest NI. It has also helped us to grow our team so that we are better equipped to grow internationally and help more companies to return to work with confidence.”

Gareth Macklin, Founding Director

Full story here – https://www.investni.com/media-centre/features/investing-sme-innovation?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_campaign=feature&utm_content=story-07Jul2020