Key services available from IRC Ireland and the wider network are as follows;

1. Company visit - Our technology transfer consultant will visit your company, and will review with you whether your technology needs can be addressed through technology transfer.  Where appropriate, he will develop a profile with you of your technology requirements.   This will form the basis of the subsequent search for a partner. 
   The visit is also an opportunity to introduce you to the wider range of technology supports available both nationally and from Europe. 
   The IRC consultant will maintain his relationship with your company throughout the partner search process.  
   
   
2.  Database of Technology Offers and Requests - the engine that drives the IRC network is the database of offers and requests, known as the Bulletin Board System (BBS).  This contains over 5000 entries and is accessed continuously by all IRC centres searching for partners for their client companies.  See our TechScan facility to view some of these opportunities.  
    
   
3. Group Missions - with 71 centres throughout Europe, there is an unrivalled network of contacts to secure introductions for technology trading.  Two types of missions are organised:
   
• Visits to industrial clusters, with the local IRC facilitating the meetings
• Visits to IRC Brokerage Events conducted alongside the major industrial fairs in Hanover, Paris, Rome etc. 
  In both cases company details and technology profiles are exchanged in advance through the IRC’s to assist in partner matching.  See our Events page for news on upcoming events.
  
  
4. Seminar programme - seminars and workshops are conducted nationally throughout the year to advise companies on a variety of issues relating to IRC and technology transfer.  These include:
   
• Technology Roadmap Series focussing on the medium term technology horizon for high tech companies
• Accessing Innovation series interpreting innovation for SME’s and explaining the European and national supports for innovation.  See our Events page for news on upcoming events.
  
  
5. Exploiting EU RTD results - for organisations involved in research projects under the Framework Programmes www.fp6-ireland.com
   
• The IRC network can help you to exploit the results if they have not been already exploited within the project consortium. 
• An IRC consultant will visit you to analyse the market potential of the results and help you prepare an implementation plan. 
• The IRC database of technology offers and requests can then be used to seek a partner for exploitation.  
• The consultant can also assist in the negotiation process, with IPR and innovation financing.
  
  
6.  Signposting and eNewsletter
• Signposting - the IRC is also your source of referrals to other technology supports within Europe. 
• Our electronic newsletter gives you all the latest offers and requests, and information on forthcoming events throughout the network. Click here to register
  
  
7. Training in Transnational Technology Transfer
   From 2005 we will be providing, through our partnership with TecNet, training courses for industry on transnational technology transfer.   The course will be conducted in selected Institutes of Technology and will enable companies to fully exploit the opportunities available through technology partnerships and transfer.