Welcome to the Business Innovation Link for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a proud history of invention!
Sir James Martin is described as a remarkable man who had extraordinary stamina, displaying a strong inventive mind from a very young age. Born in Crossgar, County Down, his hands-on farming background led to his rejection of formal education, choosing instead practical work and continuous self-study, and was considered a skilled engineer by the age of 21.
Martin co-founded Martin-Baker Aircraft Systems, which was the leading pioneer of the explosive-powered ejector seat. The seats were fitted to prototype and production aircraft from the late 1940s, but was first used in an emergency in 1949 and was a resounding success. Since then the ejector seat has saved 7243 lives and counting, is still widely used in the RAF, and is still in production and supply from Martin-Baker, currently the winner of 10 Queen's Awards for Export Technology and Enterprise.
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.