Ambitious plans to create 5,000 jobs and attract £100 million of new investment for the North were unveiled Monday in Belfast.
Northern Ireland Science Park, which was created in 1999, has been rebranded as Catalyst Inc.
Over the last 16 years the not-for-profit NI Science Park has helped to attract 2,600 jobs to Northern Ireland. The park – which has campuses in Belfast, Derry, Letterkenny and Ballymena – is home to around 160 companies and organisations specialising in science, technology and knowledge-based sectors.
The park is estimated to help deliver around £125 million into the local economy every year. Its key tenants include some of the North’s largest inward investors and most promising start ups from Citi to Novosco, Dow, Path XL, 8over8, Wurkhouse and Taggled.
Norman Apsley, chief executive of Catalyst Inc, says its new name reflects its ambitions for the future as the park embarks on the next stage of its evolution. Catalyst hopes to support the creation of 5,000 additional jobs across its campuses and create a total of one million square feet of additional space starting with three new buildings – two of which will be in Derry and another in Belfast, he said.
“We are confident that this exciting phase of our development will accelerate the attraction of international companies to Northern Ireland and continue to actively support the growth of indigenous companies.
“Catalyst Inc is built upon the deep belief that in Northern Ireland we have a community of innovators so powerful its people can change the world,” Mr Apsley added.
