Call for Entries, INNOVIC Next Big Thing Award 2008

27th February, 2008

Clever innovators, inventors and creative small businesses can win over $50,000 in cash and prizes by entering INNOVIC's prestigious Next Big Thing Award 2008 before applications close on 14 March 2008.

INNOVIC's annual Next Big Thing Award is a nation-wide search to find, showcase and reward good new Australian innovations with the potential to become 'the next big thing'.

The Melbourne Museum will host a special Exhibition of the successful finalists' innovations from 14 May and 22 June 2008. Members of the public will be able to nominate the People's Choice winner.

The Exhibition at the Melbourne Museum will be accompanied by a Young Entrepreneurs' Week, to stimulate and encourage the next generation of innovative Australians, and a "Making Money from New Ideas" seminar.

Application forms and further details are available at

http://www.nextbigthingaward.com

or by calling INNOVIC on (03) 9650 4733.

Previous Next Big Thing Award winners include, V-Focus, a catheter system that provides a non-surgical alternative to heart transplants, mHITs, a free SMS payment and e-wallet system and ClinchA, a pneumatic device for tying concrete reinforcement bars together.

"Each year we receive a great variety of ingenious innovations", says Joss Evans, INNOVIC's CEO. "Last years' finalists included a colour-changing disposable drinking cup lid, a robot to locate and exterminate termites and an alarm system that detects gas".

"We need to encourage and support our innovators", says Joss Evans. "They are creating the new technologies and businesses of the future".

INNOVIC's Next Big Thing Award is funded under the Victorian Government's VicStart commercialisation program. It is also supported by corporate and other sponsors.

1st Prize - INNOVIC's Next Big Thing Award 2008 - Winner

• $5,000 cash and trophy
• $2,500 worth of IP services from Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Patent Attorneys
• 1 year subscription to Grant Guru - valued at $295
• Law on a Stick voucher - valued at $440
• Australian Anthill magazine media profile
• YOB Business Management software package, training & support
• Plus ongoing media promotion and other gifts 

2nd Prize - INNOVIC's Next Big Thing Award 2008 - People's Choice Winner

• $2,500 cash & trophy
• $1,500 worth of IP services from Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Patent Attorneys
• 1 year subscription to Grant Guru - valued at $295
• Law on a Stick voucher - valued at $440
• Australian Anthill magazine media profile
• MYOB Business Management software package
• Plus ongoing media promotion and other gifts

La Salle Matrix Thinking¨ Award 2008

• $1,000 cash & trophy
• $1,000 worth of IP services from Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick Patent Attorneys
• 1 year subscription to Grant Guru - valued at $295
• Law on a Stick voucher - valued at $440
• Australian Anthill magazine media profile
• MYOB Business Management software package
• Plus ongoing media promotion and other gifts

All 21 finalists will receive an MYOB Business Management software package, a Law-on-a-Stick voucher from JDR Legal, a professionally prepared media release and ongoing media promotion.

Key Dates 2008

14 March - Applications CLOSE (5.00pm) 28 March - Finalists and unsuccessful applicants will be notified 14 May - 22 June INNOVIC's Next Big Thing Award 2008 Exhibition at the Melbourne Museum 12 June - Award Ceremony Cocktail Party

About INNOVIC

INNOVIC is an independent, not for profit organisation, established in 1986. It provides a range of practical services and assistance to help innovators to commercialise good new ideas, and assists over 1,800 innovators annually. INNOVIC's services for early stage innovators, VIP@INNOVIC, are supported by the Victorian Government under its VicStart technology commercialisation program. Details at http://www.innovic.com.au