UK to prize to help commercialise materials science research

Funding Opportunity

The Armourers & Brasiers’ Company, a supporter of materials science education and research at schools and universities in the UK, has launched a venture prize in co-operation with the investment fund FirstVentures

The prize is intended to enable the winner fund a significant commercial advancement of their project to a stage where a business may be created to exploit the technology. It will be in the form of an investment of GBP25,000 into the winning enterprise. Contestants will have to demonstrate their project has a specific commercial objective.

Hazel Moore, Managing Partner at FirstVentures said, “What we're looking for from the winning entry is a cutting edge, novel and innovative scientific concept.  They will also need to have an outline business plan in place with the potential for long term commercial success and a team with the vision, drive, leadership and commitment to turn concepts into reality.”  

Entries will be accepted from all material scientists working in the industrial and commercial sectors and those linked to UK university departments who are engaged in materials research.  The closing date for entries is January 30, 2009.

Last year’s winner of the prize was Green PB, a team of Cambridge University scientists and engineers who developed a method of recycling lead acid batteries. Project leader David Zou, said, “The Armourers & Brasiers’ prize really helped us in our first year. We have been able to take our project to the next step towards commercialisation.  As well as a cash injection, we’ve also been able to draw on the expertise of FirstVentures, whose input has been invaluable in helping us refine our business plan.”

The winner will be announced at the Armourers and Brasiers Materials Science Forum in Cambridge in June 2009.  

The Armourers and Brasiers Company traces its origins to 1322 when, in the reign of King Edward II, the Guild of St George of the Armourers was instituted. King Henry VI presented the Armourers with their first Royal Charter in May 1453. The Company's present Charter was granted in 1708 by Queen Anne, giving the Brasiers (workers in brass and copper), who had become involved with the company as early as the 16th century, equal status with the Armourers. The company is now one of the leading charities in the UK supporting metallurgy and materials science education.