News Article
Pioneers of North East industry will be honoured for their innovation at a glittering new awards ceremony.
More than 100 firms are competing for awards in four different categories, celebrating the technology trailblazers in regional industry at the DTI Grant for Research and Development Awards on March 15 at the NewcastleGateshead Hilton.
The awards will highlight the importance of R and D to the regional economy and to tomorrow’s emerging knowledge-based industries.
Star billing on the night will go to the winner of the Commercial Achievement Award – the outstanding North East company demonstrating how R and D has helped them grow and achieve commercial success.
Regional Development Agency One North East administers the DTI Grant for R and D across the North East and is hosting the awards night.
Invites and nomination forms have gone out to firms who have received grant support over the past two years urging them to apply for an award, as well as recipients of DTI Smart, Spur or Grant for R and D over the past decade who can qualify for the Commercial Achievement Award.
Will Adams, Head of One North East’s Research and Development Grant Team, said: “These awards celebrate the inventiveness that is widespread in North East industry, honouring the innovators and risk takers who play such a huge part in driving forward our economy.
“R and D can be the catalyst of future growth and progress and is the bedrock of all the world’s major economies.
“Since One North East took over responsibility for the DTI Grant for R and D, we have supported around 60 projects with a total of more than £5m.”
The full list of awards on the night is:
• Innovation Award – recognising projects developing the most novel technology with significant commercial applications
• Environment Award – recognising projects that offer outstanding potential in the environmental field, projects contributing to the well-being of the community, its environment and general quality of life
• Innovation Champion Award - recognising the individual or organisation that has done the most to promote and support innovation and small firms’ participation in R and D
• Commercial Achievement Award – premier award – recognising the positive impact an R and D project has had on the success of a business
One North East will draw up a shortlist of finalists and will announce the winners on the night.
The regional development agency has strengthened its R and D team with extra financial muscle in a bid to help entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.
The Research and Development Grant Team has had its budget boosted to a total of £8m over the next three years.
An extra £5m has been pledged from the European Regional Development Fund and from One North East to add to an original £3m from DTI.
The increased finance and strengthened team heralds a push by One North East to increase the numbers of small and medium-sized businesses carrying out product research and development – with the ultimate aim of raising the region’s productivity rate to 90% of the national average over the next decade.
Ends.
For further information please contact:
Gordon Arnott, Senior Press Officer, One North East.
Tel:(0191) 229 6309 Fax:(0191) 229 6234 Mobile: 07713 317883
e-mail: gordon.arnott@onenortheast.co.uk
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