The document outlines Derry's 2013-2015 digital economy strategy. The strategy focuses on 5 key themes: stimulating and promoting the digital sector; developing new enterprises; attracting public and private investment; improving digital skills and employment; and growing Derry's digital infrastructure and brand. The goals are to start 50 new digital businesses, create 100 new jobs, generate an additional £4.7 million in revenue, and support over 400 businesses through events and programs by 2015. The strategy builds on previous investments and initiatives in Derry's digital development.

1. Growing Derry’s
Digital Economy
9th May 2013
University of Ulster

2. 2013-15 Digital Economy Strategy
• Journey Pre 2013
• Key Strategic Themes in 2013-15 Strategy
– Sector Stimulation and Animation
– Enterprise Development
– Investment (Public and Private)
– Skills and Employment
– Digital Capital
• Targets and Outputs

3. Journey Pre 2013
• Ernact Network (Established 21 years)
• Digital Derry 1.0
• BT investment in telecoms infrastructure
• Hibernia Exchange Centre at Fort George
• North West Regional Science Park
• Creative Hub at Ebrington
• Knowledge Partner Activity (UU and NWRC)
• Small business base / cluster

4. Key Strategic Themes
• Key Strategic Themes in 2013-15 Strategy
– Sector Stimulation and Animation
– Enterprise Development
– Investment (Public and Private)
– Skills and Employment
– Digital Capital

5. Sector Stimulation and Animation
• Will focus on continued promotion, animation
and stimulation of the digital economy
– Marketing and Promotion Infrastructure
– Showcasing and Animation Events
– Digital and Innovation Conferences
– Digital and Creative Innovation Awards
– Benchmarking with 100+ digital entrepreneurs
– Virtual Digital Derry Business Centre
– Digital Action Team, Chair/President and Ambassadors
– Digital Derry Membership Model

6. Enterprise Development
• Enterprise Development activities for digital
creative entrepreneurs are under the 4 themes
– Pre Start
– Start Up
– Growth
– International
• Support will also be given to traditional
businesses to accelerate them along the
digitisation continuum

7. Investment (Public and Private)
• Digital Investors Forum
• Private Sector Investment (SeedComp, Halo,
Angels, Equity, Banks, Enterprise NI Loan)
• Public Sector Funding (Invest NI, NISPO Funds,
Intertrade Ireland, DSD, DCAL)
• Supporting Inward Investment Activities
(regional model with INI)
• Locate in Derry Proposition

8. Skills and Employment
• Digital Career Animation in schools
• Into Employment Programmes (Digital Kick
Start, DEL, DSD Projects)
• Smart Enterprise (digital skills for non digital
businesses) (NWRC, UU, LogOnNI)
• Further and Higher Education interventions
• Entrepreneurship activities with education
providers

9. Digital Capital
• Digital Derry
– Brand
– Membership
– Governance
• Connectivity
• Digital Space
• Digital Test Bed
• Public Sector Digitisation Programmes

10. Targets and Outputs
• New start ups – 50
• New Jobs – 100
• Additional Turnover - £4.7million
• Number of business events / interactions– 400+
• New Clients for Invest NI – 15+

11. Thank You
Marc McGerty
Derry City Council
marc.mcgerty@derrycity.gov.uk