Posted on 29 July 2010
SmartKem Ltd
We are delighted to announce that SmartKem Ltd, a participating company of the University of Wales Global Academy Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarship (POWIS) scheme, won Gold at The Inaugural Best of British Innovation Award at Venturefest 2010.
SmartKem Ltd, the developer of novel materials and processes that create high resolution microelectronic components directly onto thin flexible materials, today announced that it has been awarded gold at the Venturefest 2010 Best of British Innovation Award. This prestigious award recognises SmartKem as one of the year’s most exciting technology businesses for its innovative new printed electronics solution.
The Best of British Innovation 2010 Award is part of Venturefest’s annual technology showcase which identifies three of the most exciting new technology businesses in the United Kingdom and showcases them to the country’s foremost investors, innovators and entrepreneurs during the one day event in June 2010. Displaying some of the most progressive new science companies in the country, Venturefest 2010 prompts investment in UK’s high technology economy. The Innovation Showcase exhibition judging panel selected SmartKem from a shortlist of 10 young high technology businesses, from the most innovative start-ups in the UK during 2010.
Based in Denbighshire, Wales, SmartKem is a new high technology enterprise delivering and generating a novel range of organic semiconductor molecules compatible with printed electronic processes. The company is also developing a high precision laser process for the fabrication of its materials into small microelectronic devices such as transistors and sensors.
Steve Kelly, CEO SmartKem, comments:
“We are delighted that SmartKem has been recognised as the most exciting new technology business of 2010. Winning this coveted award will help to boost our profile in the printed electronics market and provide us with great exposure for further equity fundraising. We are still in early stage research and development and are thrilled to be awarded for positive advancements in printed and flexible electronics.’’
Richie Turner, Deputy Director of the Global Academy added:
“The winning of this award for SmartKem Ltd. is not only a clear endorsement of their hugely innovative technologies but is also a clear endorsement of the quality of innovative companies that have chosen to work with the University of Wales’s Prince of Wales Innovation Scholarships programme. Wales needs more innovative companies like SmartKem and hopefully through the work of the Global Academy we will soon have more good stories to sell the best of Wales to the world.”
POWIS is a leading edge £11.4million initiative bringing the private sector in Wales together with higher education and bright young graduates from across the globe. Currently SmartKem is benefitting from the vast experience of POWIS scholar, Dr Robert Holmes, who will be working within the company for a three-year period. The company not only receives research and development support, but they also receive access to numerous other benefits like the innovation and entrepreneurship residential programmes run by the University of Wales Global Academy and courses run by some of the world’s leading thinkers such as the MIT Sloan School. Every POWIS company or scholar is also part of the Global Academy innovation network which provides free membership to the MIT Industrial Liaison Program, a valuable resource for businesses which normally costs $60k per annum.
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About SmartKem
SmartKem is a new high tech enterprise responding to the needs of the printable electronics industry through developing an innovate process that creates high resolution microelectronic components directly onto thin flexible materials. Based in the world class Optic Technium centre, North Wales, SmartKem’s main objective is to respond to the demand for low cost, low weight, low energy and miniaturised electronics. The SmartKem process will replace both traditional photolithography and standard printing techniques for the creation of flexible electronic devices.
For further press information please contact: Celine Callender, The Scott Partnership, 1 Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, United Kingdom Tel: + 44 (0)1477 539539 Fax: +44 (0)1477 539540 E-mail:
smartkemscottpr.com|
The University of Wales Global Academy has specifically designed POWIS to bring the private sector together with bright graduates from around the world and academic expertise from both within Wales and around the globe.
Launched in 2009 by HRH The Prince of Wales, the POWIS scheme, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, and investment from the University of Wales itself, has an £11.4M budget with which to encourage Welsh companies to undertake collaborative R&D innovation projects.
For more information about the Global Academy please email:
global.academywales.ac.uk| or visit:
www.globalacademy.org.uk/|
For more information on The University of Wales please visit:
www.wales.ac.uk|
For press and media information, please contact Tom Barrett, Communications Officer, University of Wales:
t.barrettwales.ac.uk|