Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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Iawards Finalists Announced: Showcasing The Best of British Innovation, Technology and Science
The iawards - the first government-led awards initiative to recognise and celebrate the best of British science, technology and innovation - today announces the shortlist of finalists.
Finalists will attend the gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Science Museum on 16 November 2009, hosted by Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson, and leading entrepreneur, James Caan.
THE SHORLIST
The iaward for energy and environment
- AlertMe: AlertMe
- AMEE UK: AMEE UK Ltd
- Siemens Mobility, Traffic Solutions: Environmentally Friendly ELV Traffic Systems
The iaward for places to live and work
- E-Stack Ltd: E-Stack Atrium Ventilation System
- Quiet Revolution Ltd: qr5 Wind Turbine
- Crest Nicholson: Sustainable Communities
The iaward for digital communications
- Mippin: Mippin Buzz Widgets
- BigHand: BigHand for BlackBerry smartphones
- Powertraveller Ltd: solargorilla
The iaward for entertainment and media
- Publishing Research Laboratories Ltd: Intelligent Flatplan
- Cortexica Limited: Cortexica
- The Foundry: Ocula
The iaward for a consumer product
- Unilever R&D: Pureit - home water purification device
- MAS Design Products Ltd: One Touch™ Automatic Jar Opener
- trueCall Ltd: trueCall
The iaward for cross-application of technology
- Legal Advice Direct-Vieo Conferencing Services Limited Information: Advice Support Service
- Metrasens Ltd: Ferroguard
- National Physcial Laboratory: Automated Vegetable Harvesting Vehicle
The iaward for best collaboration
- Opal Contracts: Infection Minimising Curtain Hook
- Nottingham Scientific Ltd: Next Generation Satellite Navigation Receiver
- Thales Research & Technology (UK) Limited: nuVa
The iaward for British inside
- Ubisense: Ubisense Real Time Location System
- DigePrint Ltd: LumeJet
- Alumet Systems (UK) Ltd: ABLE Facade System
The iaward for best technology start-up
- Horizon Discovery Ltd: Introducing the X-MAN: A Model Cancer Patient
- i2O Water Ltd: Intelligent Water Control - Advanced Pressure Management
- Novacem Limited: Novacem
The iaward for the next big thing
- Diverse-Energy Ltd.: PowerCube
- Baxi Group: Baxi Ecogen micro-CHP
- Argento Diagnostics Ltd: Argento Diagnostics
Note: The iaward of the year will be chosen by all of the chair judges and Graham Love, Chief Executive Officer, QinetiQ.
Lord Drayson said, "These nominees represent the best of British innovation and I’m delighted they’re getting the recognition they deserve. I wish all of the finalists the best of luck and look forward to celebrating their success at the iawards ceremony later this month.”
James Caan said, “Its great to see such a high calibre of submissions – and I know the judging panels debated long and hard about who would make it through to the final. Congratulations to all involved – being shortlisted as an iawards finalist is a massive achievement.”
All entrants had to specify the British involvement in any innovation - demonstrating that creative thinking and development came from a British organisation or team. Each entry also had to illustrate how its innovative qualities relate to at least one of the following challenges:
- Addressing the healthcare needs of an ageing society;
- Increasing international security from tackling global poverty to minimising the threat of terrorism;
- Preserving finite natural resources in the face of population growth and climate change; and
- Delivering public services which make best use of new technologies.
For more information on the nominees and a full list of judges please visit www.iawards.org.uk.
Notes to editors
- Winners of the awards will be helped by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to meet potential business partners at key industry events such as the giant Medica trade fair in Germany and TechnologyWorld in Coventry this autumn. They will also receive public relations support from the iawards team. All shortlisted entries and the winners will also have exclusive access to the iawards logo.
- Science and technology has been a driving force behind Britain’s export success. Exports for life sciences, for example, rose 19% in 2008. Innovation is also important in keeping the UK as the number one destination for inward investment in Europe. UKTI statistics show that the number of investment projects in creative industries increased by 65% in 2008/9 and in software and computer services by 36%.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
