Excellence in Innovation Award

Co-Sponsored by  

Innovation is a new idea, more effective device or process. Innovation can be viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements or existing market needs. This is accomplished through more effective products, processes, services, technologies, or ideas. Innovation can be defined as something original and more effective and, as a consequence, new, that "breaks into" the market or society. Innovation differs from improvement in that innovation refers to the notion of doing something different rather than doing the same thing better.

The copyright of all materials assembled by the organisers of the competition will remain the property of the organiser and should not be reproduced by any third parties.

Eligibility

The Excellence in Innovation Award is open to any company with a BH/DT postcode or who is based in Dorset.  To enter this award the Innovation you are putting forward must have been launched within the last three years.

Description of the Award from Sponsors

This is an award for the business that is able to demonstrate the development and implementation of a new excellent innovation in accordance with the definition above in the last 3 years. This can include innovation in the development of new processes, products, services and technologies. This Award can only entered by the business and not the school/educational organisation.

Application process

Entry can be either online or paper based.

Online entry

If you are entering on-line you will have the ability to save your entry and log in at a later date to complete if required: Excellence in Innovation Award.

Paper-based entry

For paper based entries please log in and download the Excellence in Innovation Award Form. Please send your completed entry form and accompanying documentation Recorded Delivery to the person named on the entry form.

Supporting documentation

Additional supporting evidence including photographs, press cuttings and endorsements may be included for your entry.

Judging process

All information will be treated confidentially and will only be circulated amongst the judges. Entries are judged on merit only, with no reference to external considerations.

Closing date for entry is Friday 11th September 2015. Please note this date is final and will not be extended.

Site visits will be made to short listed companies by representatives of the judging panel in early October 2015.

Finalists and Confidentiality

All entrants will be informed by letter as to whether, or not, they have got through to the final stage of the process. Therefore entrants are requested to keep any site visits, if applicable, confidential until this letter has been received.

Finalists will be invited to attend the following two events as a guest of their Sponsor: 

• Meet the Finalists’ event on Monday 16th November 2015 6.30-8.30pm (venue to be confirmed)

•  Dorset Business Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 26th November 2015 in the Windsor Hall, Bournemouth International Centre (6.30pm)

Co-Sponsored by Dorset Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Liz Lean PR