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UK SPORT AND GAMES COUNTDOWN INSPIRE BUSINESS INNOVATION CHALLENGE

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London SciTech Challenges Press Release 14 May 2008

UK Sport, along with some of London’s best known organisations and academic institutions, is helping to launch the London SciTech Challenges to help drive innovation in the capital. This new initiative, created by White Loop and funded by the London Development Agency (LDA), uses innovation gaps created by the challenge of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games to inspire new innovations.

Henry Playfoot, co-creator, says: “With London being the centre of the world’s attention in just over four years time, a whole host of challenges requiring technologically advanced scientifically innovative solutions have been created. By encouraging London businesses to consider and respond to these new situations, London SciTech Challenges will inspire innovations with widespread practical future application. 

“Whether it’s considering how to serve fast food on a vast scale without creating mountains of packaging; developing ‘wave-type’ technologies which generate power from the footfall of thousands of people; or creating new prosthetic solutions inspired by the challenges faced by Paralympic athletes, London SciTech Challenges is a catalyst to help small to medium-sized businesses innovate.”

As well as UK Sport, the BBC, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the London Sustainability Exchange, the National Physical Laboratory and Sustain are the organisations championing this unique initiative which launches on Wednesday 14th May.

Scott Drawer, Head of Innovation & Research at UK Sport, says: “Innovation and creativity are absolutely essential if British athletes are going to reach their targets at all major European, World and Olympic / Paralympic Games. Time is short, impact is essential and these types of initiatives are an excellent way of harnessing those passionate and creative individuals who can contribute to medal success.”

Henry Playfoot adds: “In the competitive global marketplace, it is essential that the UK, and London as its capital, steps up the drive for innovation.  With just 46% of London firms active in innovation , the capital falls well behind the UK average of 64%  - another reason why an initiative like London SciTech Challenges is so relevant.”

London SciTech Challenges are divided into six different areas, each championed by a different organisation.  Each champion defines 2 challenges which articulate recognised innovation gaps – market opportunities – for their sector:

• Athletic Performance, Sport & Health (Champion: UK Sport)
• Media & Broadcasting (Champion: BBC)
• Engineering & Construction (Champion: Institution of Civil Engineers)
• Food Technology & Distribution (Champion: Sustain) 
• Environmental Legacy (Champion: London Sustainability Exchange)
• Research & Monitoring Devices (Champion: National Physical Laboratory)

Businesses respond to specific challenges with a brief outline of their idea and are then linked to the most relevant academic institution to help take their ideas forward. The results of these collaborations are then reviewed by the partner organisations and showcased via a series of exhibitions and events in 2009.
 
A full list of the challenges and entry details can be found by visiting www.scitechchallenges.com. 

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