For innovative people, look no further than Essex.
The county has some of the hottest talents in creating new gadgets and ideas - but there is still very poor representation from women.
According to new research commissioned by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), individuals and businesses based in Essex made the second highest number of applications to register patents in the region.
Some 20 per cent of all applications made to the National Patent Office from the East of England over the last two years were from Essex firms - second only to Cambridgeshire.
The results also showed that there is a serious lack of female entrepreneurs in the region. Just eight per cent of those applying to register their innovative idea were female, compared to the 92 per cent of male applicants.
Richard Ellis, chair of EEDA, said: "If a business is to stay at the top of its game it must continually innovate and patenting an idea is the best way to protect it.
"The patent statistics reflect how strong a county is for innovation and indicate that Essex businesses are very innovative."
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