INNOVIC announced that its prestigious Next Big Thing Award 2009 is going global for the first time due to demand from Asian Pacific innovators and small businesses and it is now open for new applicants.
“International innovators are keen to capitalize on the reputation of the Next Big Thing Award which is about finding, showcasing and rewarding good new ideas. The Next Big Thing Award also provides over $60,000 in cash and prizes,” INNOVIC CEO Joss Evans stated.
“Past winners and finalists have gone onto reap enormous success in Australia and globally, including establishing over 20 franchise operations, obtaining $7.6 million in finance, exporting to over 42 countries and generating sales of over a$119 million a year,” she added.
“These successes figures have whetted the appetite of innovators in Australia and overseas, and we anticipate receiving more entries than ever,” Evans continued.
“These are ingenious innovations developed by people who are creating the new technologies and businesses of the future,” she concluded.
As well as the international award this year, there will be awards for Innovation Excellence, Green Innovation and a Social/Community Benefit Award.
In 2009, sponsors include Davies, Collison Cave, Rouse & Co, MYOB, AusIndustry, IP Australia, MYOB, APC, La Salle Matrix Thinking, KMPG, Austrade, Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia, the Australian Innovation Festival, CVP Film & Television, Courtney Colour, Rankin Design, the Australian Anthill and the Melbourne Museum.
The Next Big Thing Award is also supported under the Victorian Government’s VicStart commercialization program.
The Melbourne Museum will host a special Exhibition of the successful finalists’ innovations from May 30 to July 12, 2009.
The public will be able to nominate the People’s Choice winner that will be announced, along with the other winners on July 2, 2009.
Applications for the 2009 Next Big Thing Award close on March 16, 2009.
Application forms and further details are available at www.nextbigthingaward.com.
INNOVIC is a not for profit organization assisting over 1,800 innovators each year, helping to turn new ideas, inventions and innovations into viable products and new businesses.
INNOVIC also runs Next Big Thing Award, an international competition to find, showcase and award leading-edge new inventions, innovations and ideas with the potential to become the 'next big thing'.
SOURCE：AGIPNEWS
