The success of the Innovation Agents Network (IAN) is reflected upon as the programme, which has helped over 60 businesses to embrace innovation across Fermanagh, Tyrone and Sligo, drew to a close. INTERREG funding was key to the programme providing a one-stop-shop for advice on the range of innovation and business development support available for companies on a cross-border basis. The programme was delivered by NORIBIC and WESTBIC in conjunction with South West College and IT Sligo.Through innovation seminars that took place across the region, awareness of innovation potential has been achieved and enhanced by sharing the experiences of peer companies. Strategic collaboration between all FE and IT institutions, government/enterprise agencies and delivery organisations has led to new found awareness and trust which has engendered an improvement of the business-academic interface and understanding of significant areas of non-competitive overlap. Improved cluster activity saw the development of new clusters and the expansion of existing clusters, improving constructive relations between cluster members, old and new. The programmeidentified that continuous research and development to identify new programmes and initiatives is needed, but without a higher level of encouragement and some structured incentive, R&D is in danger of taking a back seat when compared with day-to-day issues such as immediate sales and short-term production and contract schedules.Clare McGee of the project offers her feedback on the findings of the project; “The numbers of businesses which the project has inspired and motivated has been very positive. By participating in support systems SMEs are indicating that they see cross-border innovationas a key growth strategy. The network has encouraged peer group learning, provided access toknowledge, introduced SMEs to online information resources, leveraged new support programmes,and raised awareness of the support infrastructure. We aim to maintain the momentum of theInnovation Agents Network by negotiating a similar innovation support package which we hope tohave underway in the autumn.”Participant in the program, Aaron McKeown, Director of Walleffects considers the help receivedfrom the Innovation Agents Network as invaluable. He comments:“The network has greatly broadened our horizons. The networking opportunities through the clusterwe are involved in has put me in contact with buyers in the South who have helped us to establishcross-border links and have opened up the market for us. The programme has helped us to gearour business to be cross-border ready and then to enter the market for the first time. In the processour involvement in the network has added around 10% to our bottom line.”