Design Council Spark is a fund and accelerator that invests in product innovations which are primarily physical. We are looking for individuals/teams with revolutionary product ideas.
Although other funds and accelerators exist to support technology products, there is currently little support for physical products. Design Council Spark is helping to fill this gap.
Our programme is unique - it is not for profit. Participants donate 5% of future sales revenue back into the fund, fuelling a movement of revolutionary products for the UK and beyond.
Who should apply
The Design Council is looking for brilliant individuals or teams with revolutionary products or products in development.
This fund is UK focused and is open to anyone based in the UK who has a brilliant product idea that they want to bring to market.
You might have a basic prototype, or a working product that you would like to commercialise. We welcome early stage ideas as well as working prototypes.
Your product prototype or idea should be primarily physical rather than digital, and will be judged against the following criteria:
- Need and market - Does it meet a clear and compelling user or market need?
- Technical feasibility - Can it be developed to at least a working prototype within 20 weeks?
- Business viability - Does the idea show strong promise for how it will generate financial value?
How it works
Selection process:
20 November 2014: Open call for applications
31 January 2015: Deadline for applications
End of February 2015: Announcement of the 30 successful applicants who will win a place at our two day workshop
14-15 March 2015: Two day workshop run by mentors to shortlist to ten final participants.
End March 2015: Announcement of the ten participants who will win a place on our accelerator programme
Accelerator programme:
April - August 2015: Accelerator programme which includes £15,000 investment and bespoke support worth £35,000
End September 2015: The ten participants will take part in our DemoDay to pitch to investors and buyers for additional funding and development opportunities. Three ventures will receive £50,000 investment from the Design Council Spark fund.
Apply
Please ensure that you have read the Programme Information for Spark before applying: Design Council Spark - Programme Details (.pdf)
To submit your product idea for Spark - please fill out the online application form via this link.
Applicants must be aged 18 and over and based in the UK. If you are based outside London you must be able to attend training workshops in London for at least one day every two weeks.
The deadline for applications is 31 January 2015
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Contact
For more information please contact: Iria Lopez, Programme Lead spark@designcouncil.org.uk +44 (0)20 7420 5253