The UK Design Council Spark initiative will open on 12 September 2017 and is open to anyone with a good idea which they think would make a great product.
Financial and mentoring support is available to support the development of finalists. This can be a great opportunity for design PhD candidates and post-docs with a fantastic idea.
Details are available on the Design Council Spark site here http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/design-council-spark