VentureFest North East organisers have announced today that the North East Innovation Awards, which took place for the first time in 2018, is set to return to the region’s innovation conference in November.
The North East Innovation Awards celebrate the ground-breaking ideas, processes and products impacting on business, industry and society.
Simon Green, CEO at the Innovation SuperNetwork who delivers VentureFest, said: “Launching the North East Innovation Awards last year proved to be a huge success. VentureFest North East attracted its biggest ever crowd with more than 800 delegates and applicants from businesses, large and small, were shortlisted for one of six Innovation Awards.
“Once again, we’re looking for businesses at the forefront of innovation in key sectors as well as nominations for an Innovation Champion.”
There are seven awards categories. Nominations are being actively sought for five, these are:
- Innovation Champion, in partnership with CPI.
- Manufacturing Innovation award
- Energy Innovation award, in partnership with Engie.
- Healthcare Innovation award, in partnership with AHSN.
- Digital Innovation award
Innovation of the Year will be decided from a shortlist of businesses selected to take part in the Innovation Showcase at VentureFest North East, delivered in partnership with the North East BIC.
The Innovation SuperNetwork has teamed up with RTC North to deliver the Awards, including the introduction of a new category – Idea of the Year – to support early-stage ideas through their Pathways to Innovation programme.
RTC North launched a call for applications forIdea of the Year in June. Idea of the Year will be decided by live delegate vote with shortlisted entrants pitching their ideas at the event.
Paul Marriott, Pathways to Innovation Lead at RTC North, said: “We’re pleased to be working with the SuperNetwork again this year, but equally thrilled to have the chance to open our Pathways to Innovation programme up to Award entrants.
“The North East is bursting with creative, innovative businesses and the Awards and VentureFest are the ideal setting to celebrate the breadth of innovation seen across the region. Sometimes, start-ups and entrepreneurs need additional support in getting their idea to a point where they can launch to market, and this is where we come in. Pathways to Innovation is just one of the many ways we work with enterprise to help bring their ideas to life.”
The awards will take place as part of VentureFest North East, the annual innovation conference at St James’ Park on Thursday 28 November 2018.
Nominations are open until 5pm on Monday 07 October 2018. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit: supernetwork.org.uk/north-east-innovation-awards/
VentureFest North East 2019 is all about bringing together people from different business sectors to learn from each other and use innovation to improve their competitiveness and profitability.
Registrations are now open at supernetwork.org.uk/venturefest/
