The Northern Tech Awards 2018 highlighted the vibrancy of the tech industry in the North.
With 100 companies recognised, it was a night of honouring groundbreaking achievements from the region’s leading innovators.
Celebrating Northern Innovation
The Northern Tech Awards 2018 recognised the top 100 fastest-growing tech firms in the North, celebrating innovation and growth. Companies hailed from both England and Scotland, showcasing regional talent and achievement. Manchester-based In Touch Networks topped the list, redefining recruitment processes, while Chameleon Technology from Harrogate secured second place. Evolution Funding emerged as the fastest-growing large company, with revenues exceeding £10 million.
Notable Achievements and Award Recipients
Performance Horizon clinched the esteemed ‘Overall Judges’ Award’, highlighting its pivotal role in driving innovation regionally and globally. Rob Jones, co-founder of FanDuel, offered intriguing insights into the tech industry’s evolution. Other celebrated figures included Manchester’s Connex One MD Nicholas Mealey, Music Magpie CEO Steve Oliver, and Purple CEO Gavin Wheeldon.
Amidst the anticipation, a humorous moment unfolded when Will Lewis of OBI Property received a call on stage.
Panel of Esteemed Judges
The awards featured a distinguished panel of judges, including new additions like Sherry Coutu CBE, Chair of Founders4Schools, and Jacqui Ferguson, director of Wood Group. Longstanding members such as David Rowan, founding editor of Wired UK, ensured a thorough evaluation process.
Their collective expertise fortified the awards’ reputation, validating the deserving winners for their remarkable contributions to technology.
Dissecting the Fastest-Growing Companies
The top five fastest-growing firms predominantly featured eCommerce specialists, reflecting a regional surge in online business success. Companies offering IT services comprised nearly a third of the top 100, marking a significant portion.
Of the 100 firms recognised, 22 were enterprise software entities, a rise from the previous year. Manchester led with 29 companies, followed closely by Leeds with 13, underscoring these cities as tech hubs.
This concentration of innovation highlights the North’s substantial role in the broader technological landscape.
Highlights of the Winning Companies
A Leeds-based firm, BigChange, emerged as the region’s top northern star, illustrating the diverse talents present in the tech community. Manchester’s In Touch Networks claimed the title for companies with revenues under £10 million, while Chesterfield’s Evolution Funding led for those over.
In prestigious categories, Purple from Manchester was acknowledged for international success, whereas Peak AI earned the Judges’ Innovation Award, demonstrating a profound impact in their respective areas.
These recognitions signify not just success but the driving forces of innovation and leadership within the Northern tech scene.
Impacting the Tech Sector’s Economy
In 2017, the UK tech sector secured over $5.4 billion in VC funding, dwarfing its German and French counterparts. This financial prowess underscores the UK’s leadership in European tech innovations. The Northern Tech Awards further highlighted this achievement, as the 100 companies generated an impressive £4.5 billion in 2017 alone.
Such numbers double the previous year’s figures, a testament to the North’s increasing influence in the tech industry.
A Night of Triumph and Recognition
The Northern Tech Awards 2018 not only celebrated individual and company achievements but also reinforced the North’s position as a burgeoning tech powerhouse.
The Northern Tech Awards 2018 underscored the North’s significant contributions to the tech landscape.
The event celebrated not just success stories but a promising future for the region’s tech industry.
