Innovation has shaped the world we live in today. The Merseyside Innovation Awards have been designed to encourage and enable people and businesses in Merseyside to develop and realise their innovative ideas. By recognising and rewarding the use of innovation the awards boost growth and profitability.

The Awards are open to individuals or companies with less than 50 employees who are based within Merseyside. The winners receive:

• £10,000 in cash
• £4,000 worth of legal, business, accounting or design consultancy
• support from some of the region’s leading business advisors
• publicity for the idea.

Chair of the judging panel, Brian McCann, of Vanguard said: “Over the last few years the number of applications has soared. Merseyside is a breeding ground for many world-class innovations and the next few months will be an exciting time as we examine all the entries and select the shortlist. I would urge anyone with a great idea or product to fill in an application form and see what happens.”

Each month from now until May a winner will be selected to join the shortlist before the grand final in July. Here three finalists will showcase their products before an audience of entrepreneurs and other leading figures in the business community.

Each monthly winner will receive a commemorative certificate and a licence to use the Awards for marketing purposes.

To apply visit the Innovation Awards website.