The organisers of the Banbury Innovation Award are looking forward to seeing what new ideas the people of North Oxfordshire have come up with and are also hoping for a record number of entries.
Styled on BBC 2’s Dragons Den programme, award entrants need to have an innovative or unique idea with commercial potential, together with an outline plan on how this might be developed and taken to market.
Tony Baldry MP (pictured) will once again be there on the night to present the winner with their prizes, worth over £10,000, and of course to commiserate with the runners up.
Interviewed recently, Mr Baldry said. “The Banbury Innovation Award is a fantastic scheme. One of the UK’s greatest assets is the population’s innovative skills and we have to maximise these talents. Often people have really good ideas but are unclear about how to take them forward in terms of raising finance, protecting their intellectual property, getting things patented and then marketed.”
He continued “The Banbury Innovation Award offers a great opportunity and not just for the monetary value and prestige, but also because of the considerable free professional support that forms an essential part of the prize. I would certainly encourage anyone who has a bright idea to apply. After all, if you don’t enter you can’t win.”
Entrants have until November 21st to submit applications. All entries received are then reviewed by a team of judges drawn from the sponsors who select a shortlist of finalists. Those fortunate enough to be chosen will then take part in the final on 28th January 2010 at Whately Hall Hotel, where they will present their innovative ideas personally to a panel of successful local professionals, in an effort to make the best impression and win the 2009 award.
If you are interested in entering, or would like to nominate someone for the award, visit www.banburyinnovationaward.co.uk, where you can find full details of the award criteria, information about past winners, prize information and that all important application form.
For more information contact Lilian Bannister at Colin Sanders Innovation Centre or Bernard Goodchild on 01295 817600.
