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How Big Brands Embrace Open Innovation

18 March 2024 by | Comments are off for this post
How Big Brands Embrace Open Innovation Big brand names still recognise the value that lies within individual inventors. These industry giants rely on the fresh perspective and ingenuity that comes from outside their company. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast with an idea that could interest Black & Decker, a household goods innovator for The Grommet, [...]

Is your invention worth more than a million? Learn from the Trunki Inventor’s £7M journey.

5 February 2024 by | Comments are off for this post
Rob Law, the inventive mind behind Trunki, the globally recognised brand of ride-on children's suitcases, is a testament to the power of individual innovation. His journey from a starting idea to success demonstrates that individual inventors can hold their own in the business world. In 1997, while at university, Law stumbled upon the idea that [...]

Should I take my idea further? Ask yourself these three questions

29 November 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
The UK is a nation of people with great ideas, no wonder it ranked 4th in the Global Innovation Index 2023, behind  Switzerland, Sweden and the United States. If you are one of those people who can spot a problem with a product and think of a better solution, chances are you have an idea [...]

Funding Insights from British Business Finance Week: Start-up Loans and Business Angels

21 November 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
Taking the decision to turn your idea into a reality is a truly exciting step. Finding proper support is essential in those early moments so last week I travelled to Business Finance Week to explore all the opportunities that can help kickstart your project. Sponsored by the British Business Bank (BBB) and the UK Business [...]

From Patent to Profit: The Story of SPANX and Sara Blakely

9 November 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
Talking about Intellectual Property usually means discussing how much patents are really worth, especially with so many legal battles over patent rights and disagreements. Many believe that a patent is only as valuable as the money you have to back it up in court. However, the success story of Sara Blakely with SPANX shows how [...]

How to get funding for an idea: Navigating the Pathways of Early-Stage Funding

26 October 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
How to get funding for an idea? Are you eager to bring your groundbreaking idea to life but finding yourself stuck at the initial hurdle of funding? While self-funding is often preferable and can give you control over your project, it can be useful to look to external sources.  The world of early-stage funding may [...]

Meet Donna our new Lead Fashion and Textile Designer

11 October 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
Industry Leading Design The design team has a new addition, and we are super excited to introduce Donna, our Lead Fashion and Textile Designer. She oversees the fabric projects that we work on and ensures that the team develops market-leading designs. Donna has designed for some of the most influential fashion brands in the UK, [...]

Funding Opportunities – £25 million for smart grants

11 July 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
We noticed a couple of interesting funding opportunities which might be useful if you are considering, or already developing a new product idea. £25 million in grants Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, is offering grants totalling up to £25 million for "game-changing and world-leading ideas". This smart grants fund focuses on supporting [...]

Design Competition: Design Innovation in Plastics 2023 winner announced

8 July 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
Design Competition Winning Dublin student creates new flossing device for teeth cleaning Many congratulations to Christopher Kenny, a student from Technological University Dublin, who has won this year’s Design Innovation in Plastics (DIP) competition with an ingenious bathroom item. We would also like to congratulate Innovates' winner Kyle Farquhar, a student from Edinburgh Napier University. [...]

Unlocking Success: Crowdfunding’s Role in Overcoming Market Failure

21 June 2023 by | Comments are off for this post
According to CB Insights, a staggering 42% of start-ups fail due to a lack of market need. However, crowdfunding is a remarkable avenue for entrepreneurs and inventors to validate their ideas, prove their market, and turn concepts into reality without investment. In this blog, we delve into the world of crowdfunding and explore some extraordinary [...]