Competition rewards commercial potential

The University of Queensland’s main technology commercialisation company UniQuest Pty Limited has launched a competition to reward and develop innovation at UQ.

Dubbed the Trailblazer Challenge, the competition aims to provide funding to advance research outcomes with commercial potential, develop new ideas, and reward the key staff involved.

UniQuest Pty Limited Managing Director David Henderson said five prizes of $8,000 each would be awarded to UQ students or employees to be used at their discretion for equipment, travel or research costs.

“The competition aims to get people thinking about the commercial potential of their ideas and research,” Mr Henderson said.

Applications for the competition close on Monday, November 3 with the final judging and presentations taking place on Friday, November 14.

Mr Henderson said in addition to the prizes, shortlisted applicants would be provided with a package of services to help progress their idea or research activity and enhance its commercial potential.

“The winners will be offered assistance by a dedicated commercialisation advisor.” he said.

“The advisor will work with the researcher to maximise the market potential of the research, help with the protection of any intellectual property and assist with fundraising.”

Mr Henderson said the competition was a way of stimulating innovation amongst those involved in research at UQ and rewarding their role in deriving and identifying ideas, inventions or research outcomes with substantial commercial potential.

“It will assist in finding applications for new research and funding practical outcomes,” he said.

Media: For more information, contact UniQuest Pty Limited Manager - Corporate Development Anne-Marie Birkill (telephone 07 3365 4037, mobile 0438 436 179) or UniQuest Pty Limited Managing Director David Henderson (telephone 07 3365 4037, mobile 0418 745 404) or Chris Saxby at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2479, email: c.saxby@uq.edu.au).