The Next Big Thing finalists on show

Finalists from a national competition to seek out the ‘next big thing’ will have their innovations on show  in a free exhibition at the Melbourne Museum for a week, starting this Wednesday 14 May.

Organised by Innovic, a not-for-profit organisation that assists early stage innovators to market their ideas, the Next Big Thing Award 2008 has resulted in nominations for a number of safety products as finalists for the awards.

These include: Laddersmart, a ladder safety device that assists in the prevention of falls by minimising backwards and sideways movement of ladders; the Cone-Head, a shock absorbing foam liner for helmets; and the Tube Terminator, a portable machine that facilitates the recycling of fluorescent tubes.

According to Joss Evans, CEO of Innovic, the calibre of the applications highlights the huge pool of creativity and ingenuity in Australia.

“The Next Big Thing Award brings these ideas out of hiding. Previous Next Big Thing Award finalists are already making sales of over $85.8 million pa and are exporting to 42 countries,” she said.

Visitors to the Next Big Thing Award Exhibition at the Melbourne Museum will be able to vote in the People’s Choice award via SMS and online and will be in the draw to win an iPod.

The overall winner will receive a cheque for $5000, a trophy and prizes including intellectual property services from Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick, media exposure and an MYOB Business Management software package.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony cocktail party in Melbourne on 12 June 2008.

Online voting is available at www.nextbigthingaward.com.