24 April 2014

Following the successful launch of Costain’s Blue innovation Futures last year, Costain is again calling on budding entrepreneurs to bring innovation to life and accelerate their idea to market.

Businesses, both large and small, as well as individuals, are invited to pitch their ideas to Costain’s business leaders at events being organised across the UK. In return, the successful idea or business will be presented with a contract, funding or an opportunity to work with Costain’s innovation team which could see their idea brought to life.

Costain’s innovation leadership team will be hosting events in Edinburgh (May 15th), Manchester (21th); Sheffield (May 29th), Bridgend, Waterton (June 3rd) and finally in London (June 5th) to try and identify new products and services that will help to meet the needs of its customers.

“Blue Innovation is another example that demonstrates why innovation is at the heart of everything we do, illustrating again that our innovation strategy really is reaching out into the marketplace to identify the very best innovations for our customers. We were hugely impressed with the response we received last year and we’re looking to improve on that performance this year,” said Tim Embley, Costain’s Group Innovation and Knowledge Manager.

Last year, Costain selected 52 ideas to present at three events.  21 ideas were selected and five have been used at its operations, with one of the companies securing a place in a national plant hire catalogue following a recommendation by Costain to its suppliers. Five innovations have received investment, the largest being £500,000 to develop the concept into a service in Costain’s market around affordable energy management.

Blue Innovation was set up to support Costain’s Engineering Tomorrow strategy, the Group’s commitment to identifying, developing and implementing innovation in order to meet the UK’s need for strategic national infrastructure.

Ideas can range from early concept to new products looking for a lucky break, to business consultancy, technology and materials, as well as proven approaches that can be transferred to the markets in which Costain operates.

To register your interest, please include some basic details about your idea, the problems you are addressing and the potential markets you are interested in focusing on.

Following your registration, Costain will invite you to your chosen venue to provide a short presentation.  At this point you will get the opportunity to discuss how Costain can help take your idea forward.

To register, please click on the link below:

The Innovation Portal

For further information, please click on the link below:

Engineering Tomorrow  or email: [email protected]

 

Ends