Government Launches Innovation Portal

[Alison J Stevens]

Government Launches Innovation Portal

The Innovation Launch Pad offers small and medium enterprises a forum to pitch their cost efficiency ideas to deliver public services.

The Innovation Launch Pad is part of a package of measures, announced in February by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Francis Maude, to open-up the public sector marketplace to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The portal is accepting business proposals between Monday 28 March and Friday 22 April.

The ideas will be reviewed by a panel of civil servants and a shortlist of respondents will be invited to present their ideas at a ‘Product Surgery' this summer.

A reception will be held at Downing Street for people with the best ideas. This will aim to stimulate open competitions in Government markets which these suppliers will gain access to.

Minister Francis Maude has welcomed the initiative, saying:

"SMEs can offer Government more innovative, more flexible and more cost effective products and services, but we know they often find it difficult to bring their ideas to our attention.

Through the Innovation Launch Pad, we will get better value for Government and support small business. Government needs more online engagement like this."

To enter the portal go to here https://www.innovationlaunchpad.spigit.com/Page/Home