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Renowned Judges Join Digital Entrepreneur Awards Amidst Rising Nominations

Renowned Judges Join Digital Entrepreneur Awards Amidst Rising Nominations

A new wave of esteemed judges has joined the Digital Entrepreneur Awards (DEAs), reflecting its growing prestige.

As nominations flood in, these influential figures prepare to evaluate leading innovations from across the digital landscape.

Prominent Figures Enhance DEA Judging Panel

Ten esteemed personalities from the business and digital sectors have joined the judging panel for this year’s Digital Entrepreneur Awards (DEAs). This strategic inclusion of high-caliber judges is anticipated to elevate the awards, which are now in their fourteenth year, by enhancing credibility and expectations. Their diverse perspectives will bring depth to the evaluation process, ensuring a thorough assessment of the nominations flooding in across various categories.

Categories being judged range from ‘Digital Startup of the Year’ to ‘Most Innovative Use of Digital Technology’, capturing the breadth of creativity and innovation within the field. This year’s awards introduce new categories such as ‘Best Use of AR/VR’, ‘Tech Platform of the Year’, and the ‘Tech for Good Award’, the latter celebrating technological advancements that drive social change.

Influential Tech Leaders Join Forces

Jacqueline de Rojas, president of techUK and chair of the Digital Leaders Board, expresses excitement in her role as judge. She emphasises the importance of highlighting technologies and innovators who are at the forefront of change. She states, “It is quite simply a privilege to judge the technologies and innovators agitating the frontiers of change,” underlining her commitment to the digital future.

In addition to de Rojas, other notable judges include Vikas Shah MBE, an influential CEO, and Laura Bartlett, a pioneering founder. They, along with other industry leaders, bring a wealth of experience to the judging table, ensuring varied insights and fair deliberation.

The Driving Force Behind the Awards

The Digital Entrepreneur Awards aim to spotlight significant contributors within the digital landscape. The awards, sponsored by UKFast, honour those pushing boundaries and driving technological progress.

The introduction of new categories reflects the evolving technology sector. Categories like ‘Tech for Good’ acknowledge efforts that blend innovation with positive societal impacts, underscoring the broader purpose these awards serve.

The judges’ roster also includes figures like Naomi Timperley, Tech North Advocates co-founder, and Heather Waters, enterprise manager at NatWest. Each brings unique insights into how technology intersects with business, enriching the evaluation process and supporting the awards’ objectives.

Ceremony and Impact

The winners of the awards will be announced at a prestigious event at The Principal Hotel, Manchester, reinforcing the awards’ reputation for excellence. Previous ceremonies have seen recognition given to transformative businesses like Social Chain and Forever Unique.

This year, the anticipation is palpable as the awards continue to gain traction and prestige. The ceremony not only celebrates achievements but also fosters networking and collaboration among innovators and stakeholders, contributing to the sector’s vibrant ecosystem.

Notable Contributions and Expectations

The inclusion of judges such as Jon Woodall and Susie Ma highlights the awards’ commitment to recognising diverse sectors. Their backgrounds in entrepreneurship and ethical business practices augment the panel’s comprehensive evaluation.

Richard Law, former CEO of GB Group, also joins as a judge, contributing his business acumen to the proceedings. The panel, completed by Lawrence and Gail Jones, founders of UKFast, exemplifies a commitment to leadership and innovation. Their expertise ensures the awards maintain their esteemed status.

Looking Forward to Innovative Recognition

As the DEAs draw nearer, the emphasis remains on identifying groundbreaking digital innovations that address real-world problems.

The awards not only seek to commend technological advances but also to inspire further creativity in tackling societal challenges, demonstrating the transformative power of digital entrepreneurship through recognised efforts.

The anticipation surrounding the awards mirrors the excitement of the finalists poised to gain recognition for their contributions to the digital realm.

Conclusion and Future Perspectives

The Digital Entrepreneur Awards continue to be a pivotal platform for recognising and nurturing digital innovation.

By celebrating accomplishments across various categories, the awards underscore the potential of technology to foster significant societal change, promising a future replete with advancements and enhanced collaboration within the industry.


The DEAs not only honour innovation but also encourage future advancements.

Their focus on societal impact ensures technology serves as a catalyst for positive change.

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