Marine companies needed for new awards to celebrate British innovation
The iawards, recently launched at the Science Museum, aim to celebrate the best of cutting edge British science and technology. Entries for the 13 categories are open to all organisations, but must specify the British involvement in any innovation - demonstrating that innovative thinking and development came from a British organisation or team.
The awards categories reflect the greatest challenges we face as a country where science and innovation offer the best chance of developing viable solutions. Each entry must demonstrate how its innovative qualities relate to at least one of the following challenges: preserving finite natural resources in the face of population growth and climate change and delivering public services which make best use of new technologies. They must also demonstrate that the innovation has an impact on one of the Governments grand challenges for science.
The iawards will be run by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). Siemens will sponsor the 'Next Big Thing' category and Microsoft will sponsor the best technology start up category.
Winners of the awards will be helped by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to meet potential business partners at key industry events. They will also receive public relations support from the iawards team. All of shortlisted entries and the winners will also have exclusive access to the iawards logo.
Innovation and science will play a key role in building a stronger and more competitive economy able to take advantage of the upturn. The iawards will recognise those people and businesses that will help to do this.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said of the iawards launch:
"New innovations will help us build for the future and take advantage of new opportunities in low carbon, digital technology, bioscience and advanced manufacturing. The iawards will celebrate and recognise Britain's most innovative entrepreneurs."
James Caan, of the BBC's Dragons Den added:
"Britain is home to some of the greatest minds in the world. We are the nation that invented the jet engine, created the code for the Internet and led research on the human genome project. Science and technology will shape the future of our economy. This is why it is so important for the iawards to recognise and honour Britain's innovators for the vital contribution they make to our economy."
The iawards categories relevant to the marine sector are:
The iaward for transport - This category is for innovation in any area of transportation which supports society in terms of moving people, products and service delivery.
The iaward for energy and environment - This category is for innovation in any area of energy and environment which supports society in terms of the challenge of providing/conserving energy and our responsibilities ensuing from climate change.
The iaward for a consumer product - This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society and has provided a product or service which has most positively impacted the lives of mass consumers.
The iaward for the cross-application of technology - This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
The iaward for best collaboration - This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
The iaward for British inside - This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
The iaward for inward investment - This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society in terms of one of the key national challenges.
The iaward for the next big thing - This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society and is yet to be fully commercialised in its widest potential.
The iaward for best technology start up.
For more information, and to enter, visit http://www.iawards.org.uk. The closing date for entries is 16 September 2009. The iawards gala dinner will take place at the Science Museum, November 16, 2009.
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