IC tomorrow Digital Innovation Contest

A total fund of £200,000 is on offer through the Digital Innovation Contest for up to 20 UK digital entrepreneurs, application and service providers to conduct consumer trials to bring innovative creative sector applications to market.

Working in partnership with major global content providers, including EMI, Getty Images and Sony Music, the competition is aimed at applications across the creative market sectors, including music, TV, film, publishing and a 'wildcard'/cross sector option.

Proposals should address one or more of the following challenges facing the digital industry:

* Creating innovative business models.
* Opening new markets.
* Enhancing or creating value for existing digital assets.
* Encouraging new forms of digital content consumption.

Up to 20 consumer trials will be funded through the scheme, with £10,000 funding available, plus access to the IC tomorrow digital test bed, one-to-one licensing advice and commercial content, to undertake consumer trials over a six month period.

The competition is likely to be of specific interest to organisations that already have a digital application or service and require access to commercial grade content or a controlled trial environment in which to test new business and licensing models.

The deadline for entries is 11 March.

Up to 40 entries will be selected for a final live pitching session, taking place at the D_Media conference at BAFTA, London on 30 March to determine the winners. Successful projects will start in early May 2011 and last for up to six months.