Ten years on from its transformation into a thriving business hub, part of the former Mackie’s factory site in west Belfast has become a launchpad for hundreds of new and growing businesses, generating almost £1 million for the local economy over the past decade.
The Innovation Factory, on Springfield Road, today marked a decade of operation with a special panel event looking back at its vital role as a dedicated home for entrepreneurs, start-ups and ambitious businesses.
The facility, owned by Belfast City Council and part-funded by the council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund, under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, is operated by Oxford Innovation Ltd.
Since opening in 2016, it has supported 916 businesses and helped entrepreneurs turn ideas into companies, creating over 2,000 jobs and harnessing 313 work placements, as well as securing investment and growth.
Today, the centre is home to 65 businesses, occupying over 100 offices, creating a vibrant community of both new and established companies across sectors including film, technology, professional services, engineering, as well as a multitude of other diverse and growing industries.
Speaking at this afternoon’s event, Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Róis-Máire Donnelly, said: “The success of the Innovation Factory shows what can happen when investment in a place is matched by investment in people.
“Ten years ago, this was a former industrial site. Today, it is home to ambitious businesses creating jobs, developing ideas and contributing almost £1million into the Northern Ireland economy, with around £250,000 directly into west Belfast itself.
“But the impact goes far beyond these walls. Every successful business, every job created and every entrepreneur supported adds to the strength of our city.”
The pioneering Innovation Factory provides Grade A standard accommodation to support businesses as they get off the ground, with meeting and conference rooms, hot desking, fast connections, networking and event support.
It was developed as part of a wider ambition to stimulate entrepreneurship, employment and regeneration in west Belfast, on a site synonymous with one of the city’s greatest engineering and manufacturing success stories.
Susan O’Kane, Head of Regional Business for the Belfast City Region, Invest NI, said: “Today is a significant milestone for the Innovation Factory and the many businesses it has supported over the past ten years. It’s been fantastic to use the Innovation Factory as a hub for our Business Lunches and advice clinics, helping local businesses access advice, networks, finance, R&D and export support.
“Through strong partnership working, the Innovation Factory has created an environment where innovative businesses can start, grow and scale in west Belfast.”
For many businesses, the Innovation Factory has been much more than an office.
Former tenant Sara McCracken, founder of Angel Eyes NI, said: “Our business is a very personal story. We first came to Innovation Factory as a small charity advocating policy change and awareness for visually impaired children and their families. What we have achieved since then has been incredible.
“The space gave us somewhere to grow, create, and innovate. We have created solutions such as Empatheyes, a Virtual Reality Visual Impairment Simulator – borne from the desire to create a positive change to make the world we live in more accessible to those living with a visual impairment and create a more inclusive society.
“The real value in ‘IF’ has been the people, connections, and support around us. It felt like a community rather than simply somewhere to rent an office. It has helped make us the success we are today.”
As well as highlighting the successes of the last decade, today’s event also contained a renewed pledge from venue operators Oxford Innovation Ltd to continue to work alongside both the council and local communities to deliver social venue and encourage entrepreneurship among young people.
Cara Dallat, Centre Director at Innovation Factory, said: “We are incredibly proud of the contribution Innovation Factory has made over the last ten years – and we’re even more excited about what the next ten could bring.
“For us, success isn’t measured by the number of offices we fill. It’s measured by the businesses that have grown here and the difference those businesses make to west Belfast and beyond.
“Now we’re asking ourselves: what can we achieve in the next ten? There are so many possibilities for growth and development, further supporting businesses within the west Belfast area.
“We are truly excited about the area’s growth potential, and we are so glad to be a part of it.’’
Businesses or individuals interested in becoming tenants at the Innovation Factory should call 028 9590 2800 or visit www.innovationfactoryni.com to find out more.