TU Dublin spinout gets €1m from Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund
TU Dublin Innovation & Knowledge Transfer Office and Dr Sean Bond, a researcher from TU Dublin, have been awarded a grant from Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund valued at nearly €1 million.
Dr Bond’s spinout, Sm:art, uses advanced sensors, machine learning, and automated treatment to prevent structural deterioration in reinforced concrete. By shifting from reactive fixes to proactive prevention, Sm:art is set to save billions globally, extending the lifespan of bridges an critical structures that support our world.
“We are truly grateful for the support from Enterprise Ireland and TU Dublin Innovation. This funding marks a significant milestone in the development of Sm:art, allowing us to take years of hard work and turn it into real-world solutions that will make a lasting impact. We’re not just building a system; we’re building a legacy,” said Dr Bond. “Our goal is to ensure that the infrastructure supporting our world becomes stronger, smarter, and more resilient for generations to come. This is about creating something that will stand the test of time, something that will make a real impact and strengthen Ireland’s role in driving global innovation and technology.”
Enterprise Ireland’s Commercialisation Fund is designed to support researchers in third-level institutions to turn their pioneering and innovative research into commercially viable products, services and companies. SM:ART’ project represents the latest advancement in TU Dublin’s strategic focus on research and innovation collaboration, contributing to the university’s growing reputation as a hub for research excellence and impact.
Emma Callinan, director of commercialisation at Enterprise Ireland, said: “Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting Irish innovators to start, grow and scale, including our dynamic researchers who are developing cutting edge and impactful solutions for global challenges. Dr Bond and his Sm:art project epitomises that, by harnessing technology to futureproof critical structures.”
The confirmation of this funding is a significant milestone for TU Dublin’s Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Office, which has been instrumental in continually supporting research commercialisation and promoting university-industry collaborations. Dr Paul Maguire, head of innovation & knowledge transfer at TU Dublin said: “This award underlines the confidence in TU Dublin’s capabilities in driving innovation. We are committed to supporting projects like Sm:art that have the potential to bring real benefits to society and industry.”
With this substantial funding secured, Dr Bond’s team will focus on advancing research and development, refining the technology, and preparing for real-world deployment. Initial plans include piloting the system in key infrastructure sectors, where its potential to prevent structural deterioration can be demonstrated on a large scale.
In parallel, the team is exploring opportunities for collaboration with investors and strategic partners to accelerate growth and scale the solution globally. By building strong partnerships, Sm:art aims to position itself as a leader in infrastructure innovation, extending its reach across international markets. These efforts will not only support the system’s global adoption but also pave the way for continuous advancements and new applications of the technology, ensuring long-term impact in safeguarding critical infrastructure worldwide.
TechCentral Reporters
Subscribers 0
Fans 0
Followers 0
Followers