The competition, called ANUBIS II, is open to any East Midlands business with up to 250 employees that can demonstrate how they would benefit from a large technology injection. Each will be in the running for £10,000 cash, which has been allocated through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is managed by East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
East Midlands Network Ltd (EMNET) has been commissioned to run the competition and is looking to find ten of the most forward-thinking and innovative companies to apply.
Tim Miller, managing director of EMNET, is keen for companies to apply. He said:
“Technology is part of the life blood of a business and a critical factor for success. Quite often SMEs do not have the time or resources to create a technological step change on their own. We are trying to find East Midlands companies that have a great technology idea which this competition can turn into reality.”
Mike Carr, emda’s Executive Director of Business Services, commented:
“The commercial success created by last year’s winners really proves the value of this business competition. It also shows the importance of technology in improving the performance of the region’s SMEs. Encouraging growing and innovative businesses to maximise their use of IT in this way is one of our key objectives in creating a flourishing East Midlands economy.”
Companies have until April to apply for ANUBIS funding. A shortlist will then be drawn up and a judging panel will chose the final 10 winners. At the end of the project later in 2007, the businesses will be invited to celebrate their achievements at a showcase event.The judges are keen to receive applications from a cross section of industries ranging from traditional industries such as textiles, print, construction and agriculture, to creative industries such as media and hi-tech business.
Anyone interested in entering the ANUBIS competition should email anubis@emnet.co.uk for an application form and further details or visit www.anubisproject.co.uk.
