ConstructionResale.co.uk

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS AND GAMES COUNTDOWN INSPIRE BUSINESS INNOVATION CHALLENGE

The Institution of Civil Engineers, 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.

ConstructionResale is being used as a case study exemplifying where London ICE is contributing to the success of technology led ventures in the construction sector.

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

Jacki Bell, Director of ICE London, comments: “The Institution of Civil Engineers is proud to be involved in the London Sci-Tech Challenge. As Engineers we have to provide innovative and unique solutions every day.

“This opportunity to engage further with SMEs and Universities offers a great way of ensuring that we continue to design and develop the most efficient and effective solutions to the engineering challenges of today and tomorrow.”

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.