Budding entrepreneurs among University of Ulster staff and students are being encouraged to take part in a leading competition.

The Northern Ireland Science Park's £25K competition is designed to encourage researchers and individuals to act on their talents, ideas and energy to produce tomorrow’s leading commercial opportunities in Hi-tech, Biotech, CleanTech and Digital Media and Software categories.

The programme helps identify, qualify, prepare and present the best knowledge-based ideas and intellectual property from publicly funded research bases in Northern Ireland with the most commercial potential.

Applicants who engage with the competition will experience the unique opportunity to connect and engage with established science and technology corporations, entrepreneurs, service providers and investors who are interested in promising technology.

The Office of Innovation is hosting a series of information sessions across campuses.

If you or a colleague have a promising business idea and are interested in entering the competition, we would encourage you to attend one of the sessions detailed below, where you will be able to hear first hand from previous participants and winners as well as learn more about the eligibility criteria, submission process and deadlines.

*  Tuesday, 21 February Coleraine campus (12:00 ˆ 13:00pm), Room J501

*  Wednesday, 22 February, Magee campus (12:00 ˆ 13:00pm), Room MD013

*  Friday, 24 February, Jordanstown (12:00 ˆ 13:00pm), Room 8H08

*  Monday, 27 February, Belfast campus (12:00 ˆ 13:00pm), Room 82D27

To register for the events, please contact Alison, email knowledgeclub@ulster.ac.uk or telephone 028 9036 8019.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Office of Innovation's website at:

http://oi.ulster.ac.uk/news-and-events/110/the-pound-25k-awards-are-back

Draft applications and queries should be submitted no later than the 23rd of March to Jennifer Cook, j.cook@ulster.ac.uk

Members of the Office of Innovation will work with project teams to develop their application and will provide one-on-one workshops throughout the process.

Timothy Brundle, Director of Innovation at Ulster, said: “The University of Ulster has had a strong track record in the competition every year since its inception, winning the overall prize in 2007 (SOPHIA Search), 2009 (Tactility Factory) and 2010 (LenisAir) and consistently placing in the top 10 each year in all categories. We would like to maintain this success again this year and thank you all in advance for your support."