Search for green inventions

From the The Oxford Times, first published Thursday 4th Jan 2007.

PEOPLE with bright ideas for saving the planet are being asked to contact Oxford University.

The university's technology transfer company, Isis Innovation, is bracing itself to handle hundreds of applications after joining forces with the Carbon Trust to hunt for 'low-carbon' entrepreneurs, with inventions which could halt the emissions causing climate change.

Dr Mark Mawhinney, of Isis, said: "In the three weeks since we joined the scheme, we have had seven or eight proposals already, without actively looking. Two of them are from Oxford Univeristy, two from other universities and the rest from small companies in the South East."

"One proposal is for improving the efficiency of computers. At first glance, that doesn't look like it's going to be helpful for carbon targets, but, of course, computers use electricity. Anything you do to reduce consumption will help cut carbon emissions."

The Carbon Trust runs Government-funded schemes to help the UK meet its target to cut carbon emissions, and Isis is one of four partners supporting its Low Carbon Incubator programme.

Isis was set up to commercialise inventions by Oxford dons, and has been so successful that it has been inundated with requests for help from across the world. It has now set up a special division, Isis Enterprise, to sell its expertise to other organisations. A full-time Isis employee, Roger Welch, is being seconded to market the Carbon Trust scheme, look at the ideas and assess them.

Other early applications include ideas for improving the efficiency of machines, one for wind generation, and one in solar generation, which looks "very interesting", says Dr Mawhinney.

The Carbon Trust will provide winners with market analysis, business planning and mentoring, plus help in attracting investment.

Since the scheme was launched in April 2004, the start-ups have raised private investment worth more than £14m, three have listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market, Aim, and another three have won licence agreements with bigger companies.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate "cost-effective, carbon-reducing business solutions that address a real business need".

Dr Mawhinney said: "To get five or six through the system, we will need to look at hundreds. The Carbon Trust is holding workshops and roadshows around the UK, and we will be doing a couple in and around Oxford."

Rachael Nutter, of the Carbon Trust, said the scheme was designed for any early-stage low-carbon business with "true commercial and technological promise, but not quite investor-ready".

She said: "Although there is growing interest in the potential returns offered by the low carbon economy, there are lots of good ideas that need hands-on business support and coaching if they are to raise funding and reach their commercial potential.

"The Carbon Trust and its incubator partners can help a firm across a range of issues from assessing and engaging the market, to securing intellectual property rights, to understanding manufacturing options or to getting the right management team in place. And, because we operate a virtual network, any company across the UK can take advantage of our services."

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