IPO awards funding to nine projects

The Intellectual Property Office has awarded more than £660,000 to nine projects to help businesses take their innovative ideas off the drawing board and into the marketplace. Winners were selected from 60 applicants applying for funding this year.

The Fast Forward competition encourages universities and Public Sector Research Establishments to work collaboratively with businesses and local communities to maximise the benefits of innovation and Intellectual Property. The competition has been running for the past four years and has now given more than £2.7 million in funding to 44 projects.

Minister for Intellectual Property, Lord Younger said:

"The UK is a nation of inventors, and each year we see cases of successful businesses that have turned their innovative ideas into products and services for the UK and international markets. Our world-class universities are a key driver of this innovation and we should always look to find new ways of working with them to better support businesses and drive economic growth.

"This is why I am so pleased to see so many innovative applications to the Fast Forward competition. The competition this year was tough. I would like to congratulate this year's winners on their success and I will follow their progress with interest."

For details of Fast Forward Competition visit www.ipo.gov.uk