Innovative British firms urged to partner Jiangsu businesses

Innovate UK is calling on British businesses to come up with projects in which they can collaborate with partners in China's Jiangsu province.

The British government body, which is sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and Jiangsu Science and Technology department, will fund the competition, with Innovate UK allocating up to 5 million pounds ($6 million) to fund innovation projects.

The program is based on a memorandum of understanding for Cooperation in Regional Technology and Innovation that was signed in 2014.

Jiangsu Science and Technology Department will provide funding for partners from that province.

Organizers hope the competition will encourage business-led innovation that will stimulate growth in Jiangsu province, and in the UK.

Companies taking part will need to show clear benefits from collaboration with partners in the other geographic area.

Jiangsu has been described as one of the provinces in China with the most abundant scientific resources and innovation activities.

Innovate UK, which has helped British innovators launch, build, and grow successful businesses, noted that all projects should lead to a significant return on investment, and have a clear impact on business growth.

Themes for the competition include industrial research and experimental development.

Innovate UK is also looking for projects that will address challenges faced by infrastructure owners, cities, and users through innovation in infrastructure systems.

Businesses wanting a slice of the investment will also need to show the use of transformational or disruptive innovation in the creation of new products, processes or services drawn from any technology, engineer or industrial area.

The British government body plans to fund between 10 and 15 projects in these areas for up to 24 months.

Deadline for the competition is June 21.