The Technology Strategy Board, a government sponsored body set
up to promote innovation, today launched a £100m plan to get
British companies to develop new products and services in health,
defence, transport and construction.
The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) aims to fund
companies to develop a product, in response to needs identified by
the public sector.
"The idea is that the companies will develop a product or
technology that meets the public sector organisation's need (e.g.
the MOD want lightweight equipment for soldiers). Once it is
developed, it can be taken to market and would be open to
competitive procurement," said a spokesman.
The TSB said it could not predict how much might go to ICT
projects, nor to small businesses. "It depends on what ideas are
suggested," a spokesman said.
The queries and answers could come from any sector and could
relate to a new material, new electronic or electrical device, new
ICT system or whatever, he said.
Under the scheme the intellectual property that arises rests
entirely with the company that developed it.
The best or most relevant proposals would then be offered
contracts to develop the idea. A successful initial feasibility
period would be followed by a full-scale product development
contract of up to two years and £1m, he said.
The spokesman was unsure of how much would actually go to SMEs-
"We would certainly encourage applications from them," he said.
"SMEs often have great ideas but do not have the resources to
develop them into viable products; this scheme will pay them to do
that development."
He said despite the scheme's name the TSB could not stop large
companies from applying.
He said the intention was to get new products and services to a
point where they could tender for commercial business.