Skip to main content Show Menu & Search
Hide Navigation
SWTD podcast banner
Winners at the Tech South West Awards 2023

Best in tech revealed as Tech South West Awards 2024 shortlists unveiled

Joe Bevan
Authored by Joe Bevan
Posted: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - 16:00

3D printing materials made from recycled fishing nets, AI tools for monitoring water quality and digital literacy toolkits for young people are amongst the innovative technologies recognised in the shortlists for the Tech South West Awards 2024, revealed today.

Now in their sixth year, the awards celebrate the best in tech from across the South West of England including Bath, Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire.

Over 30 judges from across the region’s tech ecosystem, including business leaders, educators, investors, award sponsors, cluster leads and professional service providers, were involved in the selection process, meeting at Taunton’s Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation to decide the final shortlists from more than 300 entries.

Dan Pritchard, co-founder of Tech South West, said: “The calibre of entries this year is truly outstanding, showcasing the incredible innovation and talent across the South West’s tech sector. From sustainability solutions to cutting-edge AI applications, the finalists represent the diverse and dynamic nature of our region’s technology landscape.”

This year’s event has 25 categories, and is supported by Headline Partner Bishop Fleming alongside Supporting Partners Program and Angel Investors Bristol, and Entertainment Partner Howden.

In the Best Startup category, sponsored by University of Exeter and SETsquared Exeter, the shortlist features Cornish firms Good With and Fishy Filaments, Exeter-based Intelligent AI, Pollen Careers in Dorset, Barnstaple-based Additive Catchments and TRIO Technical Solutions, based in Plymouth.

Finalists for the Growth Award, sponsored by Ashfords, include Adopstar, Graphic PLC, IT Champion, Nebula IT Services, and Neuronostics.

Space & Aviation finalists, sponsored by Cornwall Space Cluster, include G&H, Graphic PLC, Sora Aviation, and Virtual Tour Experts. 

Cineon, Lutra Health, EarSwitch, Ferryx, Neuronostics, Digital Wonderlab, and SpatialCortex are in the running for the HealthTech Award, sponsored by FDB Health.

Dan White, Accountancy Partner at Headline Partner Bishop Fleming, said: “The dynamic growth and innovation in the South West tech sector is truly inspiring, and we’re committed to championing its success. Our dedicated team, deeply embedded in the tech industry, is poised to offer invaluable support and guidance to businesses on their growth journey. As we eagerly anticipate the awards night, we extend our best wishes to all participants, celebrating their achievements, creativity, and the vibrant tech ecosystem of the region.”

Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium on Thursday 21 November. Tickets are available at tickettailor.com/events/techsouthwest

The shortlist for Sustainability Award, sponsored by Michelmores, includes BluGreens, Oort Energy, WASE, Our Rainwater, QLM, and SMARTech Energy. 

The Innovation category, sponsored by Ryan, recognises Additive.earth, CALMFLOOR, Oort Energy, WASE, QLM, SpatialCortex, and ZeroUSV. 

AgriTech finalists, sponsored by South West AgriTech, include Albotherm, LettUs Grow, Farm Carbon Toolkit, and Oxi-Tech Solutions.

The Best Education Initiative category, sponsored by Train4Tomorrow, includes Cognition Creative Learning, iO Academy, South West Grid for Learning Trust, Tech Cornwall, ExCode, and Unlock Cyber. 

Best Application of AI is celebrated with Additive Catchments, Cineon, Hertzian, Neural Edge, and Weaving Change.

Niki Davies, director and head of marketing at Tech Cornwall and a co-finalist for the Tech Leadership Award, said: “The Tech South West Awards offer the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the humans in our region who are pushing the boundaries of tech innovation and placing purpose and impact at the forefront of their decision-making.”

Diversity champions Binit, Cognition Creative Learning, Ghyston, iO Academy, Professional Apprenticeships, and Unlock Cyber are recognised in the Commitment to Diversity shortlist, while Adopstar, BIT Training, Bluefruit Software, Future Space, Hiyield, and Timewade are in the running for the Commitment to Talent award.

CreaTech finalists include Jam Up, Nautoguide, Sanders Studios, SEIKK, Spark, and TRIO Technical Solutions. The FinTech category features Good With, InfraFund, Intelligent AI, Joiin, and Propflo. MarineTech innovations are represented by Actisense, Additive Catchments, Inyanga Marine, Kilo Solutions, and ZeroUSV.

Individual contributions are celebrated across several categories:

  • TeachTech: Ben Franklin (BIT Group), Gary Futcher (Real Ideas), John Bradford (DigiLocal), Toby Osbourne (Bournemouth School for Girls)
  • Women in Tech: Claire Oatway (Neon Juno), Daisy Baker (Kilo), Dr Connie Wilson (BAE Systems), Helen Cocks (University of Exeter), Rav Bumbra (Cajigo), Zara Powell (AND Digital)
  • Tech Leadership, sponsored by RWK Goodman: David Burnet (INVIDAR), Nathan Baranowski (Digital Wonderlab), Niki Davies & Holly Patton (Tech Cornwall), Prof Tim Dodwell (digiLab), Thanh Quan-Nicholls (Future Space), Tom Robbins (Stripe OLT)
  • Spotlight: Craig Newman (Get Out Get Love), Ellen O’Rourke (TouchByte), Gordon Fong (X-Net), Jules Love (Spark), Rob Passmore (Additive.earth), Ryan Pullen (Stripe OLT)

Paul Bird, director of Digital Plymouth and a judge at this year’s awards, said: “The Tech South West Awards are all about creating an environment where creativity, innovation, and collaboration can flourish, ultimately shaping the future of technology in our corner of the world.”

Supporting the Sector recognises Bright Evolve, Exeter Innovation Accelerator, Future Space, Michelmores, Silicon South, and Tech Cornwall. Tech for Good highlights Additive.earth, Get Out Get Love, South West Grid for Learning Trust, SpatialCortex, and Thought Quarter.

Workplace Culture finalists include Boo Consulting, Hiyield, Illumo Digital, Signable, and Unfold. The prestigious Tech Company of the Year category, sponsored by SH&P, sees A2Z Cloud, digiLab, Ghyston, Zapmap, Hertzian, and ZeroUSV vying for the top spot.

The Cluster Award, sponsored by Headforwards, will celebrate one outstanding entry from each cluster area, selected by cluster organisations Digital Plymouth, Digital Somerset, Silicon South in Dorset, Tech Cornwall, Tech Exeter, TechSPARK in Bristol and the Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster.

One overall winner will be revealed on the night, chosen from all the category winners for THE Tech South West Award, sponsored by South West Business Council.

See the full shortlists at techsouthwest.co.uk/awards-2024/shortlists

Share this

Tags