Technology Strategy Board launches £200k contest for digital startups

Government-backed IC tomorrow initiative wants to kick off consumer trials of new and innovative digital services.

The UK's Technology Strategy Board has launched a Digital Innovation Contest, which aims to distribute £200,000 of funding to 20 innovative new digital services.

The contest, organised under the TSB's IC tomorrow scheme, plans to provide up to £10,000 to each startup chosen from the contest, for a six-month consumer trial.

It kicks off today with a call for entries, with 40 submissions then chosen for a final face-to-face judging session at the end of March. The contest focuses on sectors including music, TV/film and publishing, with mobile app developers eligible to enter.

Besides the money, the contest aims to help successful entrants work with rights from a variety of content firms, including Beggars Group, British Library, Crytek UK, EMI, Faber & Faber, Fremantle Media, Getty Images, Haymarket Media Group, IPC Media, Lionsgate, The Orchard, Sony Music, Twofour and Universal Music.

"IC tomorrow offers an unrivalled opportunity to trial consumer applications and business models and we’re now looking for the brightest digital entrepreneurs and organisations to submit their applications," says TSB head of digital Dr Nick Appleyard.