INVEST Northern Rivers (INR), the investment-attraction arm of the Northern Rivers Regional Development Board, has launched its 2006 INR Technology and Innovation Award program.

The program has been designed to help identify new inventions, emerging technologies and innovations and to encourage and assist the region's innovators.

The award will provide practical assistance to the winning technology or innovation: the major prize valued at $10,000.

That prize will consist of $5,000 from the NSW Department of State and Regional Development and AusIndustry, to be used in further commercialisation of the technology or innovation; along with mentoring and coaching support services from the departments. WHK Rutherfords will provide $5,000 worth of professional business planning services to the winning entry.

"This is a great opportunity for those people with new ideas, inventions or innovations to enter, as even those who do not win may be able to be directed towards appropriate assistance from regional groups and government agencies," says Margot Sweeny, chair of the Regional Development Board. Application forms can be downloaded from www.investnorthernrivers.com.au. Applications must be received by close of business on 11 September 2006.