Team
Professor Jonathan Wallace
- Current / Previous Job
- Professor of Innovation Ulster University
- Date Joined Board
- 03/09/2019
- Other Boards / Positions
- • NI Science Festival – Deputy Chair • Advisory Board Kraydel Ltd - member • IET Engineering Policy Group for NI – Past Chair and current member • Learned & Professional Bodies Forum for All-Party Group on STEM for NI Assembly - member
- Position
- Chairperson, Property, Strategy & Risk Sub Committees
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Why did you decide to become a Board Member of Antrim Enterprise & what does your role as a Trustee entail?
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Have lived in Antrim local area (Randalstown) for last 16 years, I and wanted to give back to the community that I live in. My experience in entrepreneurship development of staff and students at the University and externally as well mentoring new business start-ups is a good fit for the Board Member role within Antrim Enterprise – that and I was genuinely inspired by the passion and drive of the Antrim Enterprise staff so was delighted when offered the opportunity by Jennifer McWilliams after collaborating with her as a judge on the Ulster University’s Shark Tank.
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For anyone considering starting up what advice would you have for them?
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If you do not believe passionately about what your product or service solution is and are prepared to devote everything to making it a success then do not do it
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What are the main issues and barriers facing developing businesses today?
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Access to larger local venture capital funding – whilst this is improving this is still an issue – likes of Proof of Concept funding through TechStart NI and support from Catalyst Inc. and the Halo Business Angel Networks is supporting initial funding but for growth you have to go to RoI or mainland UK or further afield for VC funding.
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Life outside current job/position on AEA board
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Hillwalking; travel and experiencing other cultures and cuisines; pub-quizzes; reading