12 February 2025 by Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post Sara Davies: From Aspiring Inventor to Global Business Icon Every great invention begins with a spark of creativity and a determination to solve a problem. Sara Davies exemplifies this perfectly. Known as the dynamic founder of Crafter’s Companion and a familiar face on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, her journey is a compelling blend of ingenuity and [...]
30 January 2025 by Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post Lessons from Dragons’ Den: Why a Big Budget Isn’t Everything Every episode of Dragons’ Den inspires budding entrepreneurs, and this season is no different. Two standout stories highlight the resilience and creativity required to launch and grow a business—whether you have a multimillion-pound investment or just a laptop and a dream. The Challenges Facing Entrepreneurs [...]
28 November 2024 by Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post Innovation Industry Insights -BUILD 2024 One of our Innovation Coaches, Sam, has attended BUILD 2024 to explore the latest trends and opportunities in the construction industry. From heat pumps to smart technologies, there are exciting prospects for inventors and entrepreneurs. November saw the culmination of BUILD 2024, the UK's largest construction show, where industry leaders, [...]
6 November 2024 by Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post Should You License Or Self-manufacure Your Invention? Each option has its advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on your resources, expertise, and vision for your idea’s future. Let's look at both strategies: Licensing Your Invention: A Path to Passive Income? If you’re more interested in focusing on new ideas than running a business, [...]
12 September 2024 by James Mcinerny | Comments are off for this post In a world saturated with innovations, it’s easy to think that your idea may not make a difference. However, even the smallest concepts can spark change, transform industries, and improve lives. Whether you've had an idea for a new product, app, t-shirt or snack, the world may need your idea more than you think. Here [...]
20 August 2024 by James Mcinerny | Comments are off for this post Taking an idea more seriously is about moving from casual consideration to meaningful action. Here are some signs that an idea could be worth more of your attention. You keep coming back to it Persistent thoughts about an idea over weeks, months or even years could suggest it is something you are deeply passionate about. [...]
14 August 2024 by Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post The Road to Breaking Records: MATE X's Crowdfunding Success In the bustling streets of Copenhagen, where 62% of the population bikes to work daily, siblings Julie and Christian found inspiration for a game-changing idea. While the city’s cycling infrastructure is top-notch, they recognised that not every town is as bike-friendly. To make cycling more accessible [...]
6 August 2024 by James Mcinerny | Comments are off for this post Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, recently announced the launch of its latest Smart Grants competition. This initiative is set to invest up to £25 million in projects that promise to deliver significant economic impacts for the UK. This is a great opportunity for innovators with game-changing ideas to secure substantial funding and [...]
23 July 2024 by James Mcinerny | Comments are off for this post Today we're reviewing some of the best ideas to develop according to Y Combinator, the powerhouse behind many of today’s most successful start-ups. Who is Y Combinator? Y Combinator is a leading start-up accelerator known for its unparalleled expertise in nurturing early-stage start-ups. Based in San Francisco, Y Combinator has been the launchpad for groundbreaking [...]
12 July 2024 by Barbara Bouffard | Comments are off for this post Glasgow students sweep the board at product design awards Winner creates self-powered cleaning device for feminine products Congratulations go to students from Glasgow School of Art, who have achieved an unprecedented clean sweep, filling the first three places in this year’s Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) competition with their brilliant off-grid products. We are thrilled [...]
