Welcome to the Business Innovation Link for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a proud history of invention!
Studies of "vertical takeoff or landing (VTOL)" aircraft began late in WWII, with German engineers coming up with a series of concepts that never got out of the paper stage. That was probably fortunate, since the postwar history of VTOL technology strongly suggested that converting such paper plans into practical flying machines was a real challenge.
Not to be detered, the Shorts Factory in Belfast designed and built the first successful Vertical Tackoff prototype called the first SC.1. The SC.1. performed its initial (conventional takeoff and landing) flight from Boscombe Down on 2 April 1957, only fitted with the engine in the tail. The second SC.1 was the first to be fitted with the four lift engines, performing its initial (tethered) vertical flight at the Belfast factory on 26 May 1958. It performed its first untethered vertical flight on 25 October 1958.
The 7 deadly Sins
of an Inventor
UK Intellectual Property Office
The European Patent Office - Esp@cenet
Northern Ireland Business Info
Enterprise Northern Ireland
Why not have a look at some of our success stories!
Our Vision...
The Business Innovation Link (BIL) provides Northern Ireland's inventors or innovators with financial support and assistance for new product ideas.
If your idea is of patentable quality and capable of being commercialised with real market potential then BIL may provide assistance with developing your product.
You can research your idea online at
The European Patent Office - Esp@cenet
. The free Quick Search facility on this website may give you a better indication if your idea is patentable.
Recent Success Stories...
A unique 'Survival Bag' designed by Teal Safety Systems has proved a strong seller. Whether adventuring or exploring outdoors or working in changeable climatic conditions, even if you are experienced, accidents can happen to you or others with you.
The risk of accidents can often be increased by having to carry several additional items of equipment for essential survival and rescue in the event of problems. Teal Safety has developed a unique new system which, in one unit, will remove the need to have several separate additional items to cope with potential problems and surviving in the open.
The unit provides a complete all-in-one system in case of emergency irrespective of the terrain or environment in which you are travelling.