10050089The Standing Grand, a piano for the futureClosedGrant for R&DInnovate UKFUTURE PIANO is creating the 'Standing Grand': a vertical grand piano, to tackle the space limitations of modern homes. It will be easy to move around, radically space saving and lightweight, by employing contemporary engineering and materials. Future Piano was founded by pianist Sarah Nicolls. She invented the new piano shape through her own style of playing the strings as well as the keys so this piano also makes every part of every string available to the performer, adding to the piano's palette. Future Piano was formed in 2017, to lead an Innovate-UK funded Design Foundations research phase. The team that Sarah assembled is now moving towards their first build, of the world's first ever lightweight 'Standing Grand' employing aerospace composites technology. For the Women in Innovation Award, Sarah is most looking forward to the incredible support package on offer and connecting with other female innovators and entrepreneurs. She wants to make the Future Piano Standing Grand an investable and successful project, to really radically disrupt the historical and rather safe piano industry. The Future Piano team will also be undertaking vital R&D on their first composites prototype and looking at on-shoring piano building and innovation skills not currently found in the UK. Find our more at www.futurepiano.co.uk.