PRESS RELEASE: 14 NOVEMBER 2007
THE SEARCH BEGINS FOR UK'S BRIGHTEST & CREATIVE IDEAS IN FEMALE INVENTOR & INNOVATOR AWARDS

Women across the nation have the chance to be recognised as the British Female Inventor and Innovator of the Year 2008 with the latest competition by the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN) taking place in the vibrant city of Cardiff, Wales for the first time.

The awards event organised to celebrate and promote the creative, inventive and innovative products and inventions by women, includes categories such as awards for environmentally friendly products or services, awards for technology and communication, another for innovative businesses, awards for Higher Education & Learning Institutions such as universities and colleges. The awards is full of various categories including the main award which goes to the most inventive and innovative woman- The British Female Inventor of the Year 2008.

Now about to celebrate its 10th year Anniversary, this event is the most extensive platform for the recognition of women's inventive and innovative ideas developed in scientific laboratory to the ideas developed at home in the humble kitchen or garden shed. Founder, Bola Olabisi who has since launched the competition in Asia, Africa, Latin America and most recently Europe, says that the UK event is moving from strength to strength.

'The 2008 event will reflect the diversity of innovations that we receive in the competition. We welcome ideas from women of all backgrounds - scientists and engineers working on patented inventions to women with no previous research and development experience who have come up with an excellent gadget. The only crucial criteria is that they have a valid contribution to providing a better quality of life for people.' says Bola.

Previous winners of the awards include Dr Maire McLoone, inventor of a product that enhances security mechanisms to protect the public from cyber criminals, such as hackers and identifies thieves, Morag Hutcheon with her invention, Pre.vu, a music sampling device built into a standard CD jewel case, Jayne Lawton for Grobox, Deborah Leary, the inventor of Forensic Anti-Contamination Stepping Plates for crime scenes, Mandy Haberman, the inventor of the Anywayup Cup to prevent toddlers spilling their drinks and Dr Diana Hodgins with her nanotechnology innovation, the small-scale Solid State Gyroscope which detects angular spin in moving objects.

With the premier support and assistance of Wales Innovators Network funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the theme of this year's two day event is 'Accelerating Innovation with Knowledge Transfer and Technology' and will include several high profile industry speakers from various backgrounds. The closing date for award nominations is 25 January 2007.

This British Female Inventors & Innovators Network event is being held in collaboration with the 'Innovation into Action' event and are both taking place on the 10-11 March 2008

For further information about the award categories and entry forms visit www.gwiin.com 

2008 AWARD CATEGORIES INCLUDE

Overall Innovator 
Exceptionally Creative 
Product & Development 
Higher Education & Learning 
Best Innovative Overseas Trade & Investment 
Best Product design and packaging 
Best Environmentally Friendly 
Best Innovative Business Idea 
Innovative Capacity Building Initiatives 
Best Information & Technology 
Best Electronics & Communications 
Best Baglady Innovative on-line service 
Peoples Award - Best eco-friendly Fashion 
Young Female Inventors & Innovative Award Category for under 18 year olds 
Chairman's Discretionary Award 

For further press information, please contact us on: 

+44 (0) 2077494834 or email office@gwiin.com or visit www.gwiin.com 

Notes to editors
Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network

GWIIN was established in 1998 and has created a global platform highlighting and promoting the achievements of many inventive and innovative women. Working with Government departments, leading industry experts, voluntary organisations, private sector enterprises and educational institutions, GWIIN continues to find effective ways of bringing information and support to assist inventive and innovative women to achieve significant growth in their businesses and careers. www.gwiin.com 

Wales Innovators Network funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, the all Wales Innovators Network was established with funding by the Assembly. The overall aim is to encourage and support innovation individuals in Wales and help turn good ideas into commercial propositions. It has 1200 members, and registration forms have been sent out to an additional 490 people. Over the past year 450 individuals have been helped with the development of their ideas. Four Innovation Technology Counselors work fulltime for the network and the expertise of a further 16 IT's is available. An Innovation Credit programme provides financial help for initial development and prototyping. A research and evaluation programme into the Network carried out by The Innovation Partnership revealed it is the only network in the world providing funding for early development and the support of dedicated ITCs. They hold four meetings a month and these are held in the regions with Key note speakers who address the meetings on a range of relevant subjects. www.win4wales.com

Innovation Into Action 2008 is a unique event for professionals looking for new products, new ideas or new technologies to meet and discuss commercial opportunities direct with the developer. This exciting two-day innovation brokerage event combines an innovation partnering event of pre-arranged one-to-one meetings to discuss potential deals with a showcase exhibition and networking lounge. It is the FIRST and ONLY event to bring these two groups together to discuss collaborations, explore partnerships and make deals. www.innovationintoaction.co.uk