Forty�two applicants have been selected as winners of the 2014 idea to innovation (i2i) programme.The winners, who comprise individuals, project teams and companies, were selected from 493 submissions and will be awarded grants ranging from $75,000 to $200,000 to take their ideas to proof of concept, in one year.
The grants, which total $3.75 million, will be funded by the Government through its $10 million Innovation Financing Facility, a resource which was established to support entrepreneurial initiatives that have the potential to contribute to economic growth.The i2i programme was launched by the Council for Competitiveness and Innovation of the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development in 2012.
It was established to foster sustainable development through innovation by providing an opportunity for potential entrepreneurs and inventors to submit proposals for innovative ideas and receive the support to allow them to turn their ideas into businesses. i2i encourages innovation in seven strategic areas: energy, food sustainability, culture and creative industries, maritime, tourism, financial services, and information and communication.
The 2014 i2i competition was launched on May 1 and ended on June 13. During this six-week period, a nationwide communications campaign was carried out to create awareness and encourage innovators and entrepreneurs to participate.
Some of the projects include: eliminating the problems of the development of cracks and other deformities on metal through the use of a metal sinking sheet, alleviating pain caused by arthritis through a hand massager, and improving the efficiency of greenhouses through the use of a desiccant cooling system.The 2014 i2i winners will be recognised at an award ceremony on September 10 at the IMAX Theatre.For further information, visit: http://i2itt.com