£300k fund launched to find “innovative” new UK product designs
A £300,000 pot of funding is being launched to find innovative new physical product designs in the UK.
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The Design Council Spark fund is open to anyone on the UK aged over 18 with “a brilliant product idea”.
The Design Council says the initiative aims to “energise UK product innovation and develop revolutionary products that solve problems which people face in their everyday lives.” This could be based on working prototypes, basic prototypes or even early-stage ideas.
The Spark fund is open for applications until 31 January 2015. An investment panel will review submissions and a shortlist of ten projects will be selected for an initial £15,000 investment. These will be judged against the criteria of need and market, technical feasibility and business viability.
![Index](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/standfirst-designweek-production/uploads/2014/11/DCS_visual_05-2000x1125-1002x564.jpg)
The shortlisted designers will join a 20-week programme of mentoring and support and will then pitch at the end of this session to receive one of three further £50,000 investments.
The Design Council says the aim is for the not-for-profit Spark initiative to become self-supporting, with 5 per cent of revenue from product sales being used to replenish the fund and support future projects.
The identity for the Spark initiative has been created by DesignStudio, which was appointed to the work following a pitch.
![Spark](https://s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/standfirst-designweek-production/uploads/2014/11/DCS_visual_02-2000x1125-1002x564.jpg)
The consultancy says it has aimed to create a brand that will be “practical, flexible and above all enjoyable to implement”.
The new identity uses the arm of the K as “the point from which the expression explodes” says Design Studio. This is developed into other graphics which will be used across the initiative.
For more information on the Design Council Spark fund and to apply, visit www.designcouncil.org.uk.
I am thrilled to have made the final and I can’t wait to see what 2015 brings for my new venture. The RipSeam Fastener has huge potential to positively impact on the lives of people in Britain and across the world.
http://www.ripseam.com/telford-start-up-wins-investment-and-bespoke-support/