As the Director of Entrepreneurship & Scaling at Catalyst, I am driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to fostering an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. With over a decade of experience in innovation and entrepreneurship and a proven track record in the private sector, I lead a multi-functional team dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship ambition, start-ups and scale-ups in Northern Ireland.In my role, I spearhead the development and implementation of Catalyst's Entrepreneurship & Scaling strategy, creating impactful programmes that empower entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential. I work closely with our partners and the wider innovation community to drive technology advancements, secure funding opportunities, and build strategic relationships with key stakeholders.This includes activity like:Developing and executing strategies to enhance Catalyst’s entrepreneurial programmes.Leading a talented team to deliver high-quality support for entrepreneurs.Establishing networks of potential investment opportunities and supporting the funding journey of high-value companies.Designing and evolving inclusivity initiatives to address gaps in entrepreneurship and provide suitable pathways for divesre entrepreneurs.Securing external funding for our activities and growing commercial income through strategic partnerships.Building and maintaining relationships with the entrepreneurial community, higher education institutions, government bodies, and councils.

Coaching Co-Founders teams through the prototyping and design process for physical product and providing assistance and advice to approach manufacturing stage.

Responsible for Catalyst entrepreneurship and growth programmes that focus on supporting start-up and early-stage businesses, from inspiring young people in schools to consider innovation and entrepreneurship as viable options from them, right through to helping companies grow on our springboard programme. Designed and implemented new design and prototyping support programme pilot 'Design Hub' launching May 2022 https://wearecatalyst.org/2021/09/14/entrepreneur-design-engineer-fiona-bennington-joins-catalyst-as-head-of-entrepreneurship-and-growth/

Working with MIT to carry out research in our entrepreneurship ecosystem in the Northern Ireland region and determine most effective interventions for improvement in our support mechanisms to encourage rapid growth and economic development.

The national social mobility charity at the heart of a network of educators and employers who all believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to kickstart a rewarding future.

Product Design Consultancy based in Belfast https://nulidesign.com/Nuli is: Making Design HappenAt Nuli, our approach is to not only develop great products on your behalf but to take them through to completion. It all starts with a spark, an idea.The challenge can be getting your bright idea from paper to product, but don’t worry, hand your bright spark to us!Nuli design consultancy is here to walk alongside, helping you take each step of the product design process and lighting the path ahead.Then it will be time for the fireworks.Why Us?Over a decade of experience of taking ideas from paper to product, we know how to make your ideas a reality . Get in touch to talk about your product design ideas.

Heroshield was established as a not-for-profit during the Covid-19 crisis in early 2020, to design and locally manufacture PPE in the form of faceshields. We set up a consortia of approximately 30 local businesses in NI and ROI to work together to supply PPE for free to essential front line workers. We later handed the design and an NHS contract over to some of our partners to keep them in work, and 5% of all sales get donated back to Heroshield for distribution to local charities. Heroshield continues to benefit our local community and economy in what has been a really challenging time for everyone.

Hug is the first fully wraparound reusable hot/cold pack designed to fit to women's bodies so that it can be worn discreetly under clothes and provide effective relief from period pain. Hug also offers relief from back, shoulder, neck, muscular pain and headaches or migraines. It can be heated in the microwave or cooled in the freezer, over and over again.Hug will soon be featured on TV as part of the Made in Northern Ireland series, and on a new radio program airing in September. Hug is also a finalist in the 2017 Invent Awards.https://www.mywarmhug.com/ https://www.facebook.com/my.warm.hug/@hugitbetter

Shnuggle create clever, award winning baby products to help make life easier for parents and safer for babies. As Product Development Manager I am responsible for ideation, evalutation, and development of Shnuggle baby products.At Shnuggle we take ideas from blank page through to production, completing rigorous safety testing and always working to create the best quality, beautiful designs at a price that is affordable.Launched products/ Awards:Wishy 3in1 bath toy: Winner of Lovedbyparents Gold award for best bathtime accessory and silver for Best Baby bathtime toyWashy Rinsing Jug: Best Baby & Toddler Gear Consumer Choice Award in the New to Market For Baby category and two silver awards in the Loved by Parents Award for Best Innovative Bathtime Product and Best Baby Bathtime Accessory.Shnuggle Air Convertible bedside Crib to Cot system: Gold European Product Design Award 2019

Leckey proudly design and manufacture products to improve the quality of life and well-being of disabled children. As part of the design team we take products from conception through to completion, working alongside therapists, parents and carers.My role as lead designer covered full development for our rapid turnaround Firefly range, a sister 'spinout'company to Leckey. Products we have launched so far include:Design lead in development, testing and production of Scooot – a 3 in 1 configurable mobility device to be used like a toy for therapeutic benefit. Recipient of Red dot award. http://www.fireflyfriends.com/scoootDesign lead in development of the improved GoTo product. Our most popular product to date.http://www.fireflyfriends.com/goto-seatDesign lead for Splashy bath seat, involving introduction of some new materials and production methods never used before at JLD.Member of Spark – an engineering engagement team. Organising events for the benefit of teambuilding and learning of new creative techniques on behalf of the development team.Employee engagement team representative.

During my time at Canyon I was involved in the design, development and testing of new products with high levels of bleach resistance capability, and I lead the development of new production line equipment to facilitate automated assembly of a new foaming spray cleaning product. The Canyon Group is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high quality and innovative dispensing solutions. The company trades in over 50 markets around the world.Working within the well equipped centre of excellence we provide: -Design for injection moulding. -Mould and part design.-Tool and material sourcing.-Material testing and analysis-Assembly and automation.

All aspects of product design from idea conception to finished part or product. Cost engineering, part sourcing, creative design all while designing to work within the capabilities of a small business.-Developed a new product- FASTAP - now nominated for three awards.-Designed structural engineering polymer components to replace hand fabricated parts and improve the product for our users-Several injection moulding projects, including additional injection moulding training-Sheet metal design- a single part to replace 7 welded components- Textile design using new technology- Thermoplastic elastomer and rubber designSignificant graphic design experience, using Photoshop, sketching, and Solidworks to produce instruction manuals, brochures, videos, product packaging and marketing information.

Support for visitors, especially children during visits. Compiled a new creative activities schedule to provide kids with hands-on craft projects.

Part of a multi disciplinary team working with Red Bull Formula 1 involved in the design and manufacture of a gravity powered vehicle - to break a land speed record at Stormont,