Innovators shine at Tech South West Awards 2025

The winners of this year’s Tech South West Awards 2025 have been announced.

The ceremony, held at Sandy Park, Exeter, brought together hundreds of innovators, founders, investors and business leaders to recognise the people and companies transforming the South West into one of the UK’s most exciting tech ecosystems.

Devon-based Altilium Clean Technology emerged as the standout success of the evening, taking home the CleanTech Award, Tech for Good Award, and the coveted THE Tech South West Award. The company was recognised for its world-leading work in sustainable battery recycling, helping decarbonise the EV supply chain and drive the UK’s clean energy transition.

Other multiple winners included Deciphex, who won the AI and DeepTech Awards for its cutting-edge digital pathology technology using AI to speed up and improve diagnoses worldwide, and Sora Aviation, who took home the Space & Aviation and Innovation awards for their exceptional engineering and clear global market potential.

Backed by Headline Partner Bishop Fleming, alongside Supporting Partners Angel Investors Bristol and Program, the awards are now in their seventh year. Ashfords, Business West, Cazenove Capital, EY Parthenon, FDB Health, Michelmores, RBC Brewin Dolphin, RWK Goodman and Train4Tomorrow also support the awards programme.

Tech South West founder Dan Pritchard said: “The quality, ambition and impact of this year’s winners show how far the South West has come as a tech powerhouse. The region’s innovators are solving global challenges, creating jobs, and making a real difference through technology. The collaboration, creativity and community on display at this year’s awards sum up the collective strength we have across an array of specialisms, from cleantech and marine, to aviation and deeptech.”

Exacta Technologies, based in Bristol, was recognised twice during the evening, taking home both the Growth Award, sponsored by Ashfords, and Tech Company of the Year, sponsored by EY Parthenon. The judges praised Exacta for its strong strategic growth, innovative products, and 40% increase in headcount this year alongside a major new facility investment in the South West.

Best Startup Award went to Jam Up!, a Cornwall-based company creating smart, inclusive solutions for an underrepresented market, already showing tangible results and bold ambition.

Techosaurus, based in Somerset, took home the EdTech Award, sponsored by Train4Tomorrow, recognised for making AI accessible to learners and scaling training opportunities across the region.

In the MarineTech category, Marine Zero was celebrated for its Maritime Analytics Platform (MAP), which tackles key decarbonisation challenges in the marine sector, while Professor John Terry of Neuronostics won the Tech Leadership Award for his inspiring leadership, mentoring, and global health innovation.

Science Creates in Bristol received the Supporting the Sector Award, sponsored by Business West, for helping more than 140 science startups raise investment and create hundreds of jobs through its incubators, venture fund and expert networks. Joiin secured the FinTech Award, sponsored by RBC Brewin Dolphin, for its scalable financial reporting platform empowering businesses across the UK.

The Supporting Talent Award went to the University of Exeter Degree Apprenticeships, bridging academia and industry to create vital career pathways and build future tech skills. éclateral won HealthTech, sponsored by FDB Health, for its innovative portable diagnostics redefining preventative healthcare.

In Sustainability, sponsored by Michelmores, MVV Environment Devonport was recognised for its measurable environmental impact and large-scale renewable energy generation. The CreaTech Award once again went to TRIO Technical Solutions, who repeated their 2024 success with creative technology solutions that blend innovation, technical excellence and client understanding.

The Commitment to Diversity Award was presented to the University of Exeter Degree Apprenticeships for their strong inclusive values and work widening participation across the tech sector, while City College Plymouth won Best Place to Work, praised for fostering an empowering, supportive and inclusive workplace.

In Women in Tech, Lucy Beck and Sonia Batey of A2Z Cloud were recognised for their leadership, mentoring and success in supporting women to thrive in the tech industry.

The Tech Investor of the Year Award, sponsored by RWK Goodman, went to Haatch, recognised for its vital role in supporting early-stage startups and helping founders across the South West scale faster.

The People’s Choice Award, voted for live on the night, was presented to Helen Cocks, from the University of Exeter.

Outstanding entries from across the region were also celebrated through the Cluster Awards, won by Protection Group International in Bristol, Matt Ville of Hiyield in Cornwall, Blue Bubble Immersive in Torbay, Megan Christopher of Ladies Who Lit in Dorset, Our Rainwater Limited in Exeter, MVV Environment Devonport in Plymouth, Julie Young from Somerset Council, A2Z Cloud in Wiltshire, Techosaurus in Yeovil, and Halceon in Gloucester.

Headline Partner Bishop Fleming once again played a leading role in supporting the Awards. Dan White, Partner at Bishop Fleming, said:

“We were proud to return as headline partner for the Tech South West Awards, continuing our support for the region’s vibrant and innovative tech community. It was a brilliant night with so many fantastic businesses showcased, proving that the South West tech community is thriving. These awards shine a spotlight on the exceptional talent and forward-thinking businesses driving progress across the region, and last night was a brilliant celebration of that.”

For a full list of winners visit www.techsouthwest.co.uk/awards-2025