Home > Judges > Categories > iaward for big

There are 13 categories which reflect not only a diversity of important national sectors but also highlight key aspects of delivering successful innovation commercially.

The judges will select from all finalists an overall winner to receive the iaward of the year.

Please note that a project can only be entered into one category. Select the category which best fits the innovation or way the innovation was commercialised. For example, fuel cell/hydrogen technology could be for transport or energy and the environment, but if your development is primarily for a transport application, then enter the iaward for transport.

The Next Big Thing

This category is for innovation in any area which supports our society and is yet to be fully commercialised in its widest potential.

Applicants will be from any business or organisation and their application will not only include various stages of research and development, but they will be able to demonstrate the likely impact of future application and commercialisation of the innovation.

Clear identification of innovation relevant to a stated national challenge within the core criteria.
Demonstration of innovation as a core point of difference in the market; either as an entirely break-through concept or as an evolution of an existing idea.
What was the specific thinking or insight that led to the innovation; or what was the ‘aha’ moment?
Development of innovation; how is this being explored; are there cross-technology applications or multi-party collaborations and to what extent is it likely the commercialisation will be owned by third parties. Is there any aspect of the innovative thinking that is owned by third parties.
Demonstration that the innovation offers great commercialisation potential; possibly multiple markets and applications; an estimate of benefit expressed in terms of likely population/customer reach should be included, also evidence if anything has been commercialised so far. If there are likely to be any negative impacts of the project, specify what has been done/will be done to offset/mitigate these impacts.

Upweighted marks will be given to section 3.

NB. Each entry must demonstrate that the innovation through science and technology can impact on one or more of the five identified challenges and that the innovative thinking and development is by a British organisation or team, even if the commercialisation has been via an overseas/global organisation.