We understand that for SMEs and Larger Multinationals, there is a wide spectrum of expertise, time, resources, and innovation maturity, which impacts their ability to innovate. Our unique proposition is to make it easy for companies across all scales and sectors to innovate at pace; by acting as an extension of their teams.
Every challenge is unique and therefore there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to innovation, however, we factor in the following to get a baseline in scoping out your innovation requirements:
Understanding your organisation and competition landscape
Navigating the Innovation Journey for Businesses in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland-based businesses of all sizes, encounter numerous challenges that have the potential to steer their innovation journey off-track. This includes accessing growth support, building networks, identifying opportunities, and managing people – limiting their ability to innovate at pace within a sector.
In addition, many businesses are also structured, led, and resourced for productivity, but this may – as a direct result, inhibit innovation. Balancing the need for innovation, while maintaining optimum operations, is not easy to do in a silo, and some businesses believe the answers lie within their own company. Those with ambition have a hunger to innovate at pace, to stay competitive and lead, but this takes more than having time, space, and resources to ideate. Innovation at pace is only truly unleashed, when there is the right network, with the right partnerships to solve the right problems, removing risk, sharing responsibility and reward.
Director of Strategic Business Development
Adrian Johnston joined Catalyst in January 2022 as Director of Strategic Business Development. Prior to this he was Head of Digital Catapult NI supporting businesses and the public sector to adopt emerging digital technologies. He also has 20 years technology leadership experience having previously worked for Seagate Technology in their Springtown facility heading the Data Science and Analytics team.
Adrian holds a PhD in Informatics / AI and is a member of the Open Data Institute. He leads the Open Innovation Team at Catalyst which stimulates research collaborations and provides companies with the support, expertise and community to innovate.
In 2019 Adrian was awarded the Ulster University Graduate of the year and received an MBE for services to peace-building and the community in NI. Adrian is passionate about Inclusive Innovation and is the current Chair of the Community Foundation for NI.
Quality Experience Manager
Quality Experience Manager
Mark McAleer is the Quality Experience Manager within the Open Innovation team at Catalyst.
He develops the business systems on that we work with making improvements on how we can better serve our members and entrepreneurs. Within the Open Innovation team, he acts as a consultant to companies providing support on their business systems with focus on Innovation Management.
Prior to working with Catalyst Mark worked as a product designer and mechanical engineer in the Life and Physical Science industries developing products for universities and research institutions.
Outside of his main career he has held roles in youth work running youth clubs in his local area and worked as a consultant supporting start-ups and small business in various areas covering engineering, design, and strategy.
During Covid he freely gave his time on various projects, the most significant being designing face masks that were used throughout Northern Ireland supporting NHS staff and key workers.
Helping people is a huge motivator for what he does and who he wants to be throughout his career.
Innovation Lead
Natasha O’Hea is Innovation Lead for the North West Region in the Open Innovation Team. Her role is pivotal in driving innovation and fostering collaboration in the region.
In her role, Natasha leads the Corporate Innovation Services offered by the Open Innovation Team. She works closely with organisations to define their innovation goals and then collaborates with them to develop and implement the most effective strategies to achieving these goals. Her focus spans across 3 key areas: Innovation Culture, Innovation Practice, Innovation Strategy. Addressing these critical aspects, Natasha helps organisations foster a thriving innovation ecosystem.
Passionate about supporting the growth and economic development of the North West Region, Natasha is an advocate for collaboration and knowledge sharing. She actively promotes partnerships among businesses, public sector and academia to foster cross-pollination of ideas and drive collective progress in the North West Region.
Project Administrator - Open Innovation
Project Administrator - Open Innovation
Emma is the Project Administrator in the Open Innovation team at Catalyst.
Currently Emma is working on the Inclusive Innovation Skills Programme designed to help young people develop life skills to fulfil their potential.
Emma studied at St Mary’s University College Belfast where she earned a BA degree in Business Studies. She is passionate about inspiring young people to fulfil their potential and has various certificates on mental health and wellbeing in young people including a life coaching and mindfulness Diploma.
Innovation Lead
Patrick McIlveen is Catalyst’s Innovation Lead for Belfast, focused on CR&D within the Open Innovation team.
His core responsibility is identifying and managing opportunities for the industrial and commercial exploitation of research focused on creating meaningful outputs and significant regional economic impact. This includes brokering relationships between industry and academic partners, devising new strategies and consortia, and identifying revenue opportunities.
Prior to joining the Open Innovation team Patrick was part of the Co-Founders team at Catalyst and was responsible for co-ordinating stakeholders, recruitment, coaching provision and assisting in delivery of the innovation programme.
Patrick’s background includes being a co-founder in a startup and a range of business development focused positions. He earned a BA in English with Creative Writing from Queen’s University Belfast.
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