Archives

Why plastic is bound to stick around

27 February 2019 by | Comments are off for this post
By Ashleigh Woodvine - Innovate research department   During a recent patent search I stumbled upon a document relating to a reverse vending machine for plastic bottles. Although the date of the application was relatively new, it soon became apparent that the general concept is a well-established one. Unlike some other European countries, the UK [...]

Top prize for our Client the Vexbox

28 February 2018 by | Comments are off for this post

The Vexbox has been crowned a ‘Top Product’ award winner in Professional Electrician & Installer Magazine’s 2017 reader poll. The awards, selected on the level of interest and enquiries generated by PE’s 70,000+ readership, are recognition for those manufacturers and suppliers that have made a real difference to the electrical contractor’s ability to get the […]

Innovate Client Chris and Kathryn Baldrey-Chourio Wows Dragons

9 October 2017 by | Comments are off for this post

Nana’s Manners on Dragon’s Den Created and founded by Chris and Kathryn Baldrey-Chourio, Nana’s Manners offers a solution to a problem every parent faces: teaching children to use cutlery confidently and properly. As a former primary school teacher, Kathryn saw first-hand that it was not just her own child that struggled with using a knife and fork; […]

Empowering females through frugal innovation; a celebration of International Women's Day.

8 March 2017 by | Comments are off for this post

Why is International Women's Day so important? ‘International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate socioeconomic, cultural and political achievement of women’, giving silenced women a voice. International Women's Day recognises and celebrates the courage of women living in countries where their freedoms are restricted; women who dare to stand up for equal rights. It is […]

Innovate and the Design Thinking Process

13 December 2016 by | Comments are off for this post

Design thinking is all about exploring the processes and creative thinking that go into developing a new idea. It grew out of industries such as architecture and planning but has since been used across many business and innovation sectors to help solve a wide range of problems. "The notion of design as a "way of […]

AppKettle Goes to Market

29 November 2016 by | Comments are off for this post

What is it? AppKettle is a clever invention and the brainchild of Robert and Richard Hill. Simply put, the ultimate smart kettle that can be activated by an easy to use phone app. You can keep the water for that next cuppa warm, have it ready for when you get home in the evening by […]

Can I patent an idea for free?

14 August 2015 by | Comments are off for this post
You have reinvented the pen and anxious to get the production process started.  Slow down.  You may want to start thinking about getting a patent. Programmes such as Dragon’s Den prove there are thousands of budding entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom waiting to get their ‘eureka moment’ into the public domain.  But how easily can [...]