A NATIONWIDE search for new products has been launched, with the achievements of innovators to be recognised by INNOVIC's 2008 Next Big Thing awards.
Winners will share more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.
Previous winners include Geoff Foley, who designed a personal alarm that keeps users in direct contact with family and carers.
The Pandah (personal alert night and day at home system) makes low cost alerts via SMS messages to mobile phones.
Mr Foley had come up with the concept to stay in touch with his elderly father, who has Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
He found existing services required the client to telephone a monitored call centre, which passed on their call to emergency services or a family member, a slow service that cost about $40 a month.
"The basic difference with Pandah is that there is no call centre involved. The system sends a text message directly to family members or a close friend,'' Mr Foley said.
"And because it goes direct to family members they are alerted within 40 seconds. There are no ongoing costs. If you don't send any text messages there's no charge.''
Another winner was Medic Vision, which developed an epidural simulator, the Mediseus, which helps train medics to administer epidurals.
And food scientist Glenda Hamilton is developing a superfood to be eaten in any emergency around the world.
The All Day Bircher, a Swiss-style muesli, is cost-effective, accessible, can be eaten straight from the pack, has a long shelf life, can be eaten by adding water, is lightweight, compact and available in single serves.
The muesli also meets vegetarian, vegan, nut-free, coeliac, halal, kosher and preservative-free requirements.
INNOVIC is a not-for-profit company supported by the Victorian Government. Applications close on March 14 and entry forms are on www.nextbigthingaward.com.
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