Government pledges to put Britain back at the top table for innovation.

The Prime Minister today announced plans for greater collaboration between universities and business.

Speaking at the CBI conference, David Cameron promised a 'relentless' push for growth with government investment of more than £200m over the next four years in technology and innovation centres.

Announcing what he claimed to be the "first ever national infrastructure plan", the prime minister said that the UK has sometimes been "complacent about our competitive advantage" and said the innovation centres would help new companies break into existing markets.

Outlining plans to create a "new economic dynamism", the prime minister listed his three point plan:

"First, using all available policy levers to create the right framework for enterprise and business investment.

"Second, using our resources to get behind those industries where Britain enjoys competitive advantages.

"Third, using our power and muscle to make it easier for new companies and innovations to flourish."

Prime Minister's CBI speech in full: http://bit.ly/cOhAfz

Innovation Future Zone at ecobuild 2011

The Technology Strategy Board, Modern Built Environment KTN and EPSRC are joining forces to deliver the Innovation Future Zone at ecobuild2011 from 1-3 March 2011. The Innovation Future Zone will demonstrate exemplars of leading-edge innovation as a prominent part of the UK’s leading built environment exhibition.

Ecobuild 2010

In 2010 the Innovation Future Zone demonstrated 22 new or near to market technologies with visitors to the zone invited to vote for their favourite innovation. Pavegen systems won the competition with their innovative energy harvesting floor slab.

The 2011 Competition

The partners are now inviting competition entries for new or near to market technologies relevant to the priority areas of energy efficiency, refurbishment, climate change adaptation and process efficiency to participate in the zone.
If your organisation has a suitable innovation and you have a prototype or demonstrator piece which will fit on to a 40cm by 40cm plinth you are invited to submit an entry to the competition.
All competition entries will be judged by an expert panel consisting of zone partners and other independent industry experts with the winning submissions being notified in January 2011.
Leading up to ecobuild details of the winning entries will be displayed on partner websites to allow visitors to vote for the innovation that they think makes the biggest overall contribution and potential business impact for industry. Visitors to the zone during Ecobuild will also be able to cast their votes leading to the overall winning innovation being announced on the final day of the exhibition.

Enter the Competition

To enter your innovation into the competition https://ktn.innovateuk.org/web/innovation-future-zone/ifz-at-ecobuild-2011 by Friday 10th December 2010

Innovate 10: Connect for Growth

Led by the Technology Strategy Board, Innovate 10 takes place next week at the Business Design Centre in Islington. With a keynote address from Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts, it will be interesting to gauge the mood among innovators faced with significant challenges to research funding.

However, the Technology Strategy Board's online presence _connect https://ktn.innovateuk.org/web/guest/home has details of upcoming competitions for innovative project funding.

Worryingly, not many seem to date beyond the Comprehensive Spending Review scheduled for 20th October!

With 1800 attendees already registered for the event, why not add your support to the drive for innovation in UK.

Innovate 10
12 October 2010
Business Design Centre
London N1 0QH
www.innovate10.co.uk