The recent Department of Employment & Learning (DEL) publication “FE Means Business” encourages College/Institutes to work actively with other agencies and local employers and “to offer technical support, business management support, assistance with product development, incubation and bespoke training”. In keeping with this strategy Newry Institute, in conjunction with the University of Ulster, has launched the first Incubation and Innovation Centre in the Northern Ireland Further Education sector. Greenshoots-Newry Ltd is a £1m Incubation Centre based at the Greenbank Campus of Southern Regional College, and provides facilities and services to help take forward new business ideas – as well as assisting local firms to develop their existing businesses through technology and knowledge transfer links with the Institute and the University.

Greenshoots is initially operating from a phase I within the Greenbank Campus comprising approximately 100m² of office space with associated meeting facilities and full connectivity.

Greenshoots Phase II which is due for completion in February 2005, will be a new standalone building comprising 750m² in total of which 100M² will be used for general meeting areas, common areas, kitchen, toilets etc. The remaining 650m² will represent letable floor area, which will be divided up into a number of Incubator units comprising 35m² start-up units, 55m² young company units and one 100m² hot-desking implant unit. The fit out will include items such as external fencing and associated car parking, telephone network, security, integrated computer network and high frequency lighting for I.T. purposes. An Incubation Centre Manager has recently been appointed to market the new centre and is available to take applications, inquiries and to answer queries.

Greenshoots clients will be attracted from the following categories: