A challenge to find the best new British innovations is launched
06 February 2012
Business Minister Mark Prisk has launched a nationwide competition to find the most innovative pre-market products, processes and concepts the UK has to offer. The 'Make it in Great Britain Challenge' is open to inventors, manufacturers, engineers, designers, businesses of all sizes, young people and the general public. It forms part of theMake it in Great Britain' campaign, which aims to change the image of modern manufacturing.
Judges are seeking entries across five categories that represent the breadth and depth of the manufacturing industry, and highlight the innovation and talent in Britain today. The winning entries from each category will showcase their creations on a weekly basis at the Make it in Great Britain exhibition at the Science Museum in London, which will coincide with the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. Visitors to the six-week exhibition will be invited to vote on their favourite entry. The winners from each weekly vote will feature together in the final week of the exhibit.
Categories include:
Make it…Stronger
Make it…Smarter;
Make it…Sustainable;
Make it…Life changing; and
Make it…Breakthrough (for 16-21 year old entrants only)
Make it…Breakthrough has been specifically designed for young people and entries can conform to any of the other four categories. Ahead of the exhibition opening in July, members of the public will have a chance to vote on which of the finalists in this category they believe is the most significant innovation, with the winner securing a place in the Science Museum for the entire duration of the exhibit.
Mark Prisk said: “The Make it in Great Britain campaign is all about transforming the image of modern UK manufacturing, and raising awareness of its importance to our nation’s economy. This Challenge creates the perfect platform to celebrate the most innovative and creative manufacturing minds out there today, while showcasing their skills to potential investors, employers and peers who could help kick-start their ideas into real commercial ventures.”
Will Butler-Adams, Managing Director of Brompton Bicycles and one of the campaign Industry Champions, will form part of the judging panel. He added: “The Make it in Great Britain Challenge will remind us how many fantastic things we make across the UK. I hope it will inspire Brits to put their thinking caps on and rise to the challenge to put forward their very own creative ideas.
“I love to know how things are made, seeing wild ideas move from the back of a scrap of paper to a real product that a customer can enjoy. I hope to have a chance to see some really innovative pre-market initiatives bubble up from established companies as well as brand new talent. It will be a privilege to be a member of the judging panel and I have no doubt that the products that come out of this Challenge will be some of the most exciting parts of the Make it in Great Britain exhibition.”
To find out more about the Make it in Great Britain Challenge, click here. The deadline for entries is Thursday April 5 2012.
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