Please see the following descriptions for more information on each category.
HealthTech Pioneer of the Year
From 3D printing organs to video calling doctors, from curing disease through big data to wearables that monitor chronic conditions, healthcare is a sector ripe for disruption. An overburdened NHS and aging population has meant the sector is increasingly looking toward tech solutions. Judges are looking to celebrate the pioneering individuals or companies using technology to improve the wellbeing of patients and revolutionise healthcare as we know it.
FinTech Innovator of the Year
The UK’s financial technology sector – known as FinTech – is on the crest of a wave and has become a magnet for innovative companies that use technology to make financial services more efficient. A wide-ranging and exciting category that incorporates the likes of InsurTech, cryptocurrency and digital banks, the judges want to see evidence of the disruptors using technology to transform the sector but staying on the right side of the extensive regulatory issues.
eCommerce Company of the Year
Standing out in the crowded world of online shopping can be a challenge when it takes customers a matter of seconds to abandon their cart and move to a competitor if your site doesn’t perform. Whether you’re a bricks-and-mortar store expanding your online presence or an online-only business rapidly innovating, we want to hear from the fast-growth sites that are implementing new ways of doing things. While sales are a crucial measure of success, user experience and strategy will also play a huge part in creating a site that makes its mark.
Manufacturing Tech Disruptor of the Year
Manufacturing is no stranger to technological innovation, with machines forming the bedrock of the sector. Industry 4.0 is set to transform the sector and the judges want to hear from those firms leading the way for the next generation of industry. Whether it’s through automation, digital innovation or emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, it’s clear that Industry 4.0 will be raised on the back of tech.
Transport Tech Company of the Year
This category aims to recognise the tech innovators disrupting the transport sector – from driverless cars to smart roads to apps that help people get where they need to be quicker or reduce accident rates. Judges want to hear from those who are helping connect the country and shake up the network leaving travellers with a smoother, more efficient ride.
EdTech Company of the Year
Most students will now be using technology in their home lives, so it makes sense that technology would become a natural part of their learning too. With the potential to scale, educate in a fun way and support time-poor teachers and provide extra resources outside of the classroom, technology is shaping the way that we learn. Judges are looking for game-changing technology in the world of education.
SAAS Company of the Year
An award to recognise the UK's leading SaaS company.
Ad Tech Company of the Year
An award to recognise the UK’s leading AdTech Company.
Property Tech Company of the Year
An award to recognise the UK’s leading PropTech Company.
Hosting Company of the Year
An award to recognize the world’s leading Hosting Company.
Cyber Security Company of the Year
An award to recognize the world’s leading Cyber Security Company.
Best Application of Tech – Security
An award to recognise exceptional use of technology in the security sector. The judges will be looking for the thinking and approach specific to the needs of the security sector and the client’s or company’s goals.
Best Application of Tech – Public Sector
An award to recognise exceptional use of technology in the public sector. The judges will be looking for the thinking and approach specific to the needs of the public sector and the client’s or company’s goals.
Best Use of Data
Data is key to all effective tech implementation, judges are looking for an innovative use of data which has delivered clear and exceptional results and produced exceptional ROI or improvement in communication, process or been a source of tech for good..
App of the Year
What makes the perfect app? There are millions of apps available serving sectors as diverse as health; finance; education; property; transport and leisure but how do you make yours stand out from the crowd? The judges are looking for the app that has really made a difference and gained significant traction.
Best Use of Innovation
Innovation is the backbone of progress, which is a word that strikes at the very heart of technology. This category aims to celebrate the pioneers using technology to throw out the old and bring in the new with extraordinary results in their sector. The judges will be looking for evidence of how innovation has had a transformative effect on outcomes. Open to all sectors.
Tech Deal of the Year
An award to recognize a completed deal during the period under review, which could include licensing, partnering, IPO or acquisition.
Transformation Through Technology
An award to recognise a company or organisation who have successfully transformed an element of their business or operation through successful application of technology. Judges will be looking for demonstrable evidence and results of real, quantifiable transformation through innovation.
Tech for Good Award
An award to recognise the application or use of technology for good, be that social impact, CSR, charitable means, judges will be looking for innovative uses of technology that impact positively on individuals or the environment that they aim to help.
Best Tech Accelerator
An award for the leading tech start-up accelerator that have helped early-stage tech companies develop their product, hone their business model, and connect with investors.
Best Tech Recruiter
An award for the leading tech recruitment company that has successfully identified, screened and qualified candidates for IT positions.
Best Tech Start-up (within 2 years)
This category celebrates an incredible start-up which has been formed in the past 2 years
Most Impressive Growth
Technology is the engine fuel for growth so it’s hardly surprising that many of the UK’s fastest-growing companies are underpinned by tech. The judges want to hear from companies across all sectors that have significantly increased user base, turnover or services in the last 12 months through the clever use of tech.
Digital Agency of the Year
With digital agencies growing rapidly to meet the demands of an increasingly digital workforce, the judges are looking for the agency that stands out as a little different while also delivering consistently high-quality work. Whether it’s growing their client base or exceeding the expectations of existing clients all while using digital tools in a smart way, this category aims to showcase the agency that’s using digital to stand out from the crowd.
Tech Company of the Year - Small
This category celebrates the incredible tech companies with a turnover of up to £10m across all sectors that have been making their mark during the last year. They can include micro businesses to international companies doing amazing things with tech. Entries should demonstrate their commitment to tech innovation.
Tech Company of the Year - Medium
This category celebrates the incredible tech companies with a turnover of £10-£30m across all sectors that have been making their mark during the last year. They can include micro businesses to international companies doing amazing things with tech. Entries should demonstrate their commitment to tech innovation.
Tech Company of the Year - Large
This category celebrates the incredible tech companies with a turnover of over £30m across all sectors that have been making their mark during the last year. They can include micro businesses to international companies doing amazing things with tech. Entries should demonstrate their commitment to tech innovation.
Rising Star Award
With the next generation growing up as digital natives, it’s clear that the future of the sector is in their hands. With many of tech’s brightest stars making an impact before the age of 30, it’s clear there is some exciting potential coming up through the ranks. Entrants must be under the age of 30 on the date of the awards ceremony and already making a name for themselves in the sector.
Tech Entrepreneur of the Year
Businesses need dynamic entrepreneurs and the tech sector has more than the most. Some have high profiles but other prefer to work tirelessly behind the scenes away from the public eye. The judges want to recognise the tycoons with the x-factor. They could be an unsung hero of a team, a founder, CEO or CTO, or someone who takes more of a supporting role.