The search to find some of the region’s most innovative businesses is now underway with the launch of the annual Merseyside Innovation Awards (MIA), which are this year celebrating their 21st anniversary.
And for the first time in 2016 there will be a new category designed to honour innovation among companies with a turnover of between £1m and £25m.
Applicants will be scored based on the degree of innovation demonstrated, commercial potential and the overall impact that their business will have on Merseyside.
The first award up for grabs is the overall Merseyside Innovation Award trophy, aimed at businesses with a turnover of up to £1m or start-ups in their pre-revenue stage. A £10,000 cash prize is on offer while the runners-up will also receive professional support services from MIA sponsors to help them make their innovation a commercial success.
The new category introduced this year is the Merseyside Innovation Prestige Award for companies with a turnover of up to £25m. Both award categories are open for applications from companies in the Merseyside area including Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and the Wirral.
Liverpool ChiroChem, a University of Liverpool spin-out, scooped the top prize in 2015. Since then, the company has gone on to secure £770,000 of external investment, mostly from private investors, to support its international expansion plans.
Also new for this year, the MIA sponsors are hosting two lunches for potential applicants to learn more about the awards and hear from previous applicants and winners. The first takes place on 2 February at Daresbury Science Park and the second on 12 April at Liverpool Science Park.
The deadline for entries into this year’s awards is 30 April 2016. For more information on the Merseyside Innovation Awards and networking lunches please contact Cara Bartlett on 0151 2552300 or cara.bartlett@mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk.