Tech South West Awards return for fifth year to celebrate regional innovation

The annual Tech South West Awards have opened for entries as the prestigious event returns for a fifth year to celebrate the region’s tech sector.

Covering the whole of the South West from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset to Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, the awards showcase innovation across the region’s fastest-growing sector.

Over 300 entries were submitted for the awards in 2022. Categories include Best Startup, Women in Tech, MarineTech, Commitment to Diversity, Workplace Culture, AgriTech, Tech For Good, FinTech and Commitment to Talent.

Accountancy firm Bishop Fleming returns as the headline partner for this year’s awards, having been involved with the annual event since its inception in 2019.

Pippa Clarke, head of technology, innovation and growth at Bishop Fleming, said: “We are delighted to be returning as Headline Partner of the Tech South West Awards in its fifth year. Relationships are a hugely rewarding aspect of our work with tech businesses, and we are passionate about supporting the sector.

"There is so much innovation happening right across the region and it's fantastic to be bringing the community together to celebrate."

Tech is the fastest growing part of the South West economy, with an expected gross value added (GVA) of £20 billion a year by 2026.

The strength of the sector and its potential for positive impact across communities has been recognised by the UK Government, with a £200 million investment fund being launched this year to support the growth of small and medium-sized businesses across the region.

Marketing and PR agency Program has been announced as the first supporting partner of this year’s Tech South West Awards. The South West-based agency specialises in insight-led marketing for organisations delivering tech solutions with a positive impact.

Caroline Orr, marketing and brand director at Program, said: "Program is thrilled to be Supporting Partner for the fifth year of the Tech South West Awards, and I’m looking forward to seeing all of this year's fantastic entries.

"Each year the awards showcase the innovation taking place right across the region, and the people and organisations making a positive impact with technology. It's fantastic to bring together so many leaders in the tech sector for an evening of celebration."

Last year’s awards (pictured) took place under the wings of Concorde at Aerospace Bristol, with over 300 tech leaders in attendance. Winners included Redruth-based TECwomen CIC, which delivers technology and engineering initiatives for women and young girls in Cornwall; Bristol healthtech firm Neuronostics, a spinout from the University of Exeter; Somerset-based aerospace engineering firm MK Test Systems; Bristol-based marine robotics company Vaarst; Bath-based software firm Storm Consultancy; and Somerset biotech firm Singer Instruments.

Wiltshire-based Small Robot Company took home THE Tech South West Award last year, which celebrates one company that stands out for its depth and breadth of impact. The Salisbury firm, which also scooped three category awards including Sustainability and AgriTech, develops autonomous farming robots for more efficient, lower-impact agriculture.

Category sponsors for the Tech South West Awards 2023 include Ashfords LLP, Jurassic Fibre, Software Solved, Interaction, SETsquared Exeter, South West Business Council, Granted Consultancy, Michelmores, FDB Health, Mercia Asset Management, the University of Exeter, the Heart of the South West LEP and Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP Digital Skills Partnerships, Clockwise and Headforwards.

New categories for the 2023 awards include Space and Aviation, Best Application of AI and the Spotlight Award, which celebrates individuals making an impact in their field.

Alongside the main categories, the Cluster Awards celebrate tech initiatives and organisations across the South West in particular local areas where the likes of TechExeter, Software Cornwall, Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster, TechSpark, Digital Somerset and Silicon South operate.