The FutureMachine Prizes

The Future Machine Prize will encourage innovative business ideas that will address major challenges in the near future across the ‘Machine’ sector. The Prize will comprise a cash award of £20,000 plus access to a serviced office in a corresponding Innovation Centre for a year.

The Prize will be launched by FutureFest Curator Doug Richard who first found public recognition through his appearances on the BBC's Dragons Den. With 20 years experience developing and leading technology ventures Doug knows what it takes to launch a new business. In 2006 Doug received the Queens Award for Enterprise for his work promoting, developing and helping entrepreneurs. On October 24, 2008, he will launch the Prize at the 'Festival of Ideas' which will take place at the University of Cambridge.

After a five month search for entries a judging panel will be looking for proposals that are exciting, novel, commercial, sustainable, defendable and manageable that combine financial returns with social and environmental benefits. These can include new products and services, innovative operational processes and business models.

A group of five Judges, with corresponding expertise in the field, will decide a shortlist of three candidates to be put forward to the final. The finalists will be invited to pitch their ideas at The Machine Debate, June 24, 14:00 – 18:00, 2009, and the winner will be announced on the main Conference stage during the Grand Finale at the close of FutureFest on the following day.

Full information is available in a downloadable PDF document.