Four make innovation awards shortlist

FOUR companies have made the shortlist of this year’s Merseyside Innovation Awards.

Bootle-based packaging company Weir & Carmichael, Knowsley building firm Nurock, Biometrics company Human Recognition Systems, and Learn About Finance! have all reached the final.

This year’s winner will receive a prize worth £14,000 including a £10,000 cash award and £4,000 of legal; business; PR; accounting or design consultancy as well as publicity for their idea.

Weir & Carmichael has been nominated for its Britwrap protective packaging system, designed to reduce damage to goods in transit. Nurock has developed a hydraulic concrete mixing system while Human Recognition Systems develops systems that recognise people by scanning their eyes or hands.

Learn About Finance! developed an interactive board game Keep The Cash which is designed to help young adults learn about personal finance.

Founder and organiser Brian McCann, director of Vanguard Corporate Finance, said: “We had approximately 30 entries with many unique examples of innovation. Within this total, there were four entries which the sponsors believed were so exciting and diverse that we have made space for all four of them rather than our usual three. We are looking forward to a fascinating event.” 

The awards were open to individuals or companies with fewer than 50 employees and were set up to recognise and reward the use of innovation to boost growth and profitability. The final will take place at the Crowne Plaza, in Liverpool, on Thursday.