Incub Ideas and Innovation Blog

Frontline Forensics Visits Netherlands Police Academy

Lucy — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:29:22 +0000

I recently visited the Police Academy in the Netherlands. The first thing I noticed (besides the British Flag they’d raised for my arrival) was how fantastic the building itself was. Converted from an old Monks church it had many original features including the stained glass windows and confession stands; however it had been modernised into a clean functional space to allow for the huge volumes of people that train there.

The facilities they had were incredible, with fully functional flats and houses for practicing forensic techniques. I even got a bit of a shock when I walked into one room to find a dead body! (Thankfully, it did turn out to be fake) The forensic team there were very welcoming and I had a great time showing NuCAST180 and EviBUBBLE.

They were undoubtedly impressed with the speed and ease of use of Frontline Forensics products but they were also able to show me some clever casting techniques (Such as casting a mark in deep puddles) which I hope to share in my Demo’s here in the UK.

We look forward to working with the Academy and surrounding police forces in the Netherlands to develop and offer further great products. I just want to say a big thank you to everyone at the Academy with a special thank you to Bert Lesger.

Lucy Nuttall

lucy@frontlineforensics.co.uk

MD Frontline Forensics

There is a business in You

gordon — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:30:56 +0000

We have a unique take on what is necessary to make a successful business.

Hugh has recently featured in the Department of Business Innovation and Skills, “There is a business in you campaign”, and his thoughts on starting up a business are up on the Guardian Business Wall. The link is attached, have a look at this and the two videos starring our very own Chairman and our award winning Gripple.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business-in-you/interactive/success-stories-entrepreneurs-and-business-owners?newsfeed=true

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ADL-BSIY004-030_guardian online_2500kbps

Have a great day

Gordon

Vu Air test flight

gordon — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:35:39 +0000

Vuairs new Quadcopter QC01 made a test flight at our Hawke Street facility today.
Absolutely amazing being involved seeing it through 3d glasses.

Onwards and upwards Andre

Gripple Queens Award

gordon — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 08:47:39 +0000

I am delighted to confirm that Gripple has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Innovation. This Award is not for any single invention, but rather it recognises the imbedded culture of Innovation within our business that has led to multiple new products and manufacturing processes in the recent past.

There are tens of thousands of businesses across the UK, but only 50 have received this Award for Innovation. It’s a great achievement and is testimony to the creative and energetic spirit that we have across our business. It is our 4th Queen’s Award – the 2nd for Innovation and our third Award in 5 years, and it is particularly pleasing to be receiving this Award in the 60th year of Her Majesty’s reign.

Gripple’s 21st April surprise

gordon — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:27:20 +0000

The 21st of April is a very special day for Her Majesty the Queen. This is also a very special day for everyone at Gripple and in our true spirit of innovation we are giving you the chance to find out what our announcement is by completing either the Gripple Crossword puzzle or the Gripple football quiz.
I hope you have some fun doing the quiz and we will put all correct entries into the hat on May 1st and the winner will win a bottle of Champagne.
Have a great weekend everyone

Footie quiz Crossword

Gripple strikes gold in Make it in Great Britain exhibition

gordon — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:39:13 +0000

We are absolutely delighted to let you know that Gripple has been selected as one of forty companies which are being showcased by the Government during the Olympics at the Made in Great Britain exhibition at the Science Museum. I have attached a mock up of how the Gripple will be shown in the exhibition.

To be showcased with world leading companies such as Mclaren f1, Airbus, Royal Mint and Coca Cola is a real testimony to our products and our people.

Look forward to seeing you at the Science Museum during the summer.

Gordon
migbpic

Rapidsports Kayak

gordon — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:52:12 +0000

Andrew Thomas won the audience vote at the Hallam Enterprise challenge. Our contribution was to help him get his Rapidsports Kayak into the water.

After a slow start he has made good progress and over the last two months he has got his patent filed and reached a design freeze to enable him to build a first prototype.

Watch out you Kayakers, it wont be long before Andrew is after you.

Yormii get’s a pretty fantastic 1st birthday present!

Nathan Bestwick — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:53:55 +0000

I was the first to join the Incub program a year ago now, followed closely by Lucy at Frontline Forensics. I entered the Gripple and Load Hog Ideas & Innovation centre with a number of product ideas, and one patent application for a very different way of grinding salt and pepper.

One year on, Yormii is producing our first product, the MillMii pepper mill, which will be in shops UK-wide this Autumn, and several products lined up for launch in 2013. Now, Yormii and everybody who has helped us get to where we are today can celebrate our first birthday with the announcement that MillMii has won a Red Dot Award: Product Design 2012!

“MillMii was awarded an Honourable Mention
for an outstandingly designed detail solution” – Red Dot team

Read more about the Red Dot Award here.

I am personally very proud of this achievement, and I share this award with everybody at Incub, with particular thanks to:

– Alan and the I&I team for their unmatched engineering, design and manufacturing expertise. And of course for the Thursday ‘Foggy’ sessions which I’ve enjoyed immensely!

– Gordon for being a patient and incredibly supportive mentor – I wouldn’t be surprised if this man coined the idea of innovation! But he’s far too humble to admit it.

– Hugh for bringing me back to reality every now and again – I am a self confessed ‘dreamer’ and my feet have had to be placed firmly on the ground from time to time!

– And last but not least everyone else that has tested my prototypes, helped me with sales pitches and generally pointed me in the right direction.

Here’s some links for you to keep up-to-date with the latest from Yormii:

- Yormii Blog

- Tweet Yormii

- Yormii Facebook Page

- Tweet Me, Nathan Bestwick

NuCAST180 Footprint Casting System becomes an educational tool within schools

Lucy — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:01:15 +0000

Frontline Forensics were pleased to have heard that NuCAST180 was recently used by PULSE during a forensic science workshop in a school in Lincolnshire.

Started by Jacqui Thompson 5 years ago, PULSE engages primary school children into learning about the exciting world of Forensic Science through ‘hands on’ activities, as well as introducing pupils to the criminal justice system.

Frontline Forensics provided Jacqui with a trial pack of NuCAST180 to use during demonstrations as an alternative to the current problematic alternatives.

Jacqui said “I usually use Denstone which is always a horrible demonstration because of the consistency, it sets very slowly and always goes lumpy”

Jacqui kindly sent some pictures of the demonstrations being done and its fantastic to see such engaged faces. It was also fantastic to see the side by side comparison of Denstone Vs NuCAST180.

Following the school Visit Jacqui had the following to say about her experience:

“I am very pleased to report that NuCAST180 did everything you claimed it would! Firstly, I loved the fact that it was not messy and I could just shake the container to mix the casting powder and liquid together and then just simply poor onto my footprint impression with ease, this gave a superb demonstration and secondly, I was so impressed at the speed in which the cast dried to a solid state, literally in 4 − 5 minutes! For me this is very significant, when you have a class / year group of students who are extremely impatient, timing is the key to keep their attention! Additionally, I can see the benefits of how NuCAST180 could aid a Crime Scene Investigation.”

Frontline Forensics are thrilled that our products can be used in this educational aspect and look forward to continuing to work with PULSE. Why not check out their website http://www.pulsecsi.com .. you may even spot their appearance on BBC’s Dragons’ Den!

A big thank you to Jacqui Thompson and PULSE.

Lucy Nuttall

lucy@frontlineforensics.co.uk / www.frontlineforensics.co.uk

Dept. of Business Innovation and Skills blog

gordon — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:02:26 +0000

Bis are running this week three blogs on our Grinlovate baby buggy workshop.
Please check them out via the attached link:

http://blogs.bis.gov.uk/publicsectorinnovation/

Gordon