Innovation that Matters 2013

The primary focus of the "Innovation that Matters" Initiative is to identify, recognise and promote technology concepts, products and services emanating from companies in Cork and the wider region.

The Innovation that Matters Initiative is open to all members of it@cork, European Tech Cluster. If you are not a member, it@cork still encourages you to enter as Bord Gais Networks has agreed to sponsor up to 10 memberships (worth €184.50 per entrant) to it@cork, European Tech Cluster for one year (2013). This sponsorship is entitled "The Power of the Network" and the draw for the membership sponsorship will take place in April 2013.

In order to enter the Innovation that Matters Initiative you will need to submit a short summary (less than 800 words) to Sarah Walsh at sarah@itcork.ie outlining the innovative and emerging idea that is taking place within your organisation. You will also need to indicate that in your submission that you accept the terms and conditions of the competition.

In this initial 800 word submission you should inform us of the following:

About your organisation
What your innovative idea/activity is
Why you think this idea/activity will succeed

The deadline for this initial submission is Thursday 21st March 2013.

Each submission will be reviewed by a selection committee during the week of the 1st to the 5th of April 2013 and the final shortlist of 5 contributions will then be drawn up.

The selection committee shall be:

Each written submission will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of representatives from the following organisations:

Cork City Council
Chinese Studies in UCC
Bord Gais Networks
Avnet Client Solutions
it@cork, European Tech Cluster

Ian O'Flynn, it@cork and Bord Gais Networks will coordinate and input into this selection committee as will Denis Collins Chairman of the Board it@cork, European Tech Cluster.

The final short-list of organisations will be announced in April and each of the final short-listed organisations will be contacted and given the opportunity to extend their submission and provide further information prior to May 15th 2013.

Each of these extended submissions (which are intended for public communication) will feature on the it@cork, European Tech Cluster website (and other media) between March and May 2013.

The selection committee will review all extended submissions and will then elect the winner of the Innovation that Matters award who will also receive €2,000. Cork City Council will then commence the process of promoting the winning company to an existing network of Chinese partners / contacts leveraging the extensive partnership network already established between China and the Cork City Council; the outcome of this promotion and sponsorship is a return trip for 2 to China. Other short-listed candidates may also be promoted during this engagement but the sponsored flights will be awarded only to the winner of the event.

The Winner of Innovation that Matters will be announced on 15th May 2013. By entering the Innovation that Matters Initiative all entrants agree to be bound by the rules as amended for time to time full details of which can be found on the it@Cork website of a copy can be provided on request.

Please see terms & conditions attached

For more information please contact:

Ian O'Flynn, it@cork Board & Bord Gais Networks - 086 244 9472

Renate Murphy, it@cork Board & Cameo Communications - 086 814 5462

Sarah Walsh, it@cork, European Tech Cluster - 021 4868180

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