With a number of award categories, which highlight breakthroughs in both academic and commercial settings, UCMK part of the University of Bedfordshire, is sponsoring the Best Business-led Collaboration and Best Innovative Technology Product or Service award.

Dr Paul Sant, Associate Dean at UCMK said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Bright Sparc Awards, and in particular awards which recognise and reward successful collaborations between the forward looking business community and innovation-focused universities.”

“We would encourage those that have had a technology-based idea with a proven real world application, and seen it through to the next stages of development in the last two years, to enter the awards. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain notable external endorsement for developing creative technology solutions.”

Fredi Nonyelu, Chairman of Biztech, the business and technology forum for the South East Midlands region, said: "The Biztech Bright Sparc Awards will be putting the spotlight on those moments of inspiration and innovation in business and academia that have the potential to transform lives and create jobs. Universities such as UCMK are hubs for the generation of transformative ideas.

"It is typical of the forward thinking ethos of UCMK that it has chosen to support the Biztech Bright Sparc Awards with not only sponsorship but in actively promoting the categories to its student population and academic staff.

"I look forward to continuing to work closely with UCMK and to seeing the exciting and innovative entries from students and staff in the academic categories."

The deadline for entries is Friday 29 May, and the winners will be announced at a gala lunch in Milton Keynes at the MKEX technology exhibition on 24 June 2015.

Notes to editors:

To enter the awards you must be based in or studying in the SEMLEP Area. (The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership) which includes the following councils: Aylesbury Vale District, Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Cherwell District, Corby Borough, Daventry District, Kettering Borough, Luton Borough, Milton Keynes, Northampton Borough and South Northants.