Meet the finalists of the 2018 Go:Tech Awards

The 2018 Go:Tech Awards received hundreds of entries from across the UK and a panel of 13 judges scrutinised the businesses and individuals that entered.

The judging panel included Lawrence Jones MBE (UKFast), Oz Alashe MBE (Cybsafe), John Zai (Cocoon Networks), Tim Sawyer CBE (Innovate UK) Jenny Tooth OBE (UK Business Angels Association), Lisa Forte (Red Goat Cyber Security) and eight other elite tech innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders.

The Go:Tech Awards celebrate businesses and entrepreneurs leading the way in technology and innovation across the UK, across small, medium and large businesses..

Here’s an in-depth look at the finalists in the running.

ADVANCED ENGINEERING AWARD

XMOS

XMOS is a fabless semiconductor company and a supplier of embedded voice and audio solutions to the consumer electronics market. XMOS was founded in July 2005 and secured a further $15m in an investment round lead by Infineon. The group has seen a consistent rise in number of employees, with headcount currently standing at 65 employees globally with 50 of those in the UK.

Dashboard Limited

Dashboard is an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) specialist; combining advanced engineering with data analysis to provide end-to-end industrial digitisation solutions.

The company has a focus in the industries of renewable energy and waste management among others, with potential monitoring applications for any sector increasingly dependent on accurate data analysis and monitoring from an increasingly complex range of systems.

Romax Technology

Romax Technology has been running its business with one thing in mind – engineering. Romax aims to support others in designing and developing through a mixture of technology-led simulation platforms and experts in practical engineering across all sectors, globally.

The business now has over 100 partners across academic, software and industrial sectors. Romax has been successful in its research and development, being part of over 14 government funded projects over the past 10 years.

Ultrahaptics

Ultrahaptics was founded in 2014 based on core technology called ‘mid-air haptic feedback’. This technology enabled users to actually reach out and feel virtual objects in thin air with their bare hands, like magic.

Ultrahaptics has since grown to 100 people, and expanded to international offices in the USA, Germany and Korea with plans to grow into a globally focused technology company.

Steve Cliffe, Ultrahaptics
© Gareth Iwan Jones

BEST MOBILE TECHNOLOGY/APP

Sauce

Sauce is a cloud-based video collaboration app for businesses to create video content with their teams and community powered by smartphones. The Sauce platform makes video production easy, affordable and authentic by providing a seamless way to gather video footage from a large number of people, access this footage and edit the footage using the Sauce in-app editor or third-party software. Sauce is available as an iOS, Android and Web app.

Amdaris

Amdaris is a software development partner for nkoda; the world’s largest digital library of sheet music on subscription. They supported nkoda and its proprietary technology by working  with nkoda’s CTO, Sundar Venkitachalam, to develop the application. Today the App delivers over 30 millions pages of music ready to view, annotate and share.

Amdaris provides exceptional teams to deliver industry leading software development capability to their clients worldwide.

TrustedHouseSitters

TrustedHousesitters was founded in 2010 with founder Andy Peck starting the business with the aim of keeping pets happy at home when their owners travel.

The app is designed to become a travel portal that covers the entire experience of the sit. Sitters will be able to view content uploaded by the owner about the local area, including recommended dog walks, pet-friendly cafes, shops and attractions.

Now Healthcare Group

Now Healthcare Group was created by CEO and founder Lee Dentith, the business recently launched a £1.5m digital/tele-Pharmacy offering patients a total end-to-end digital solution.

The company’s app Now Patient was born in October 2017 and was created to help over 15 million people in the UK living with Chronic Care Conditions – to offer them the flexibility of ordering their medications via their mobile phones to access medical advice and GPs appointments.

Yboo

In December 2015, Martyn Gould and Paul Doyle met up to look at the UK Telecoms industry and talk about the problems they could solve. A long list of initial ideas soon became a shortlist focusing on solving problems for 60 million UK mobile consumers.

Yboo compares SIM only deals from the UK mobile market. yboo also monitors mobile usage and signal strength, then recommends deals that are most suited to them and will save them money.

BEST USE OF BIG DATA

7 Layer Solutions

7Layer specialises in software solution projects for the cash logistics sector. Its product NoteChain uses unique serial numbers assigned to each banknote to track its life from the day of printing to the day of destruction, using a variety of machine touch points to track movement and degradation.

Beauhurst

The group gathers a variety of information on every high-growth business in the UK and has developed a SaaS platform to showcase data and allow an easily-searchable dataset featuring companies, their funders and the broader ecosystem that supports them.

iGeolise

A platform that makes other people’s maps and data searchable by travel time. The company licence access to businesses with lots of locations, users and match them to one another.

ThinCats

ThinCats uses big data to identify which businesses are in need of funding and where the gaps lie. ThinCats has secured loans for a vast range of SMEs across multiple industries, enabling them to grow their businesses, increase employment opportunities and boost productivity in regions across the UK.

Beyond Analysis

Beyond Analysis’ cloud-based analytical system known as quick&easy has been used to great effect in the travel industry for Travelport, provider of a travel commerce platform, focused on providing distribution, technology, payment and other solutions.

Beauhurst

BEST TECH START-UP

Rovco

Rovco aim to lead the way in underwater robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence technologies with their application subsea. The company’s innovations will lower the cost of operations and maintenance for underwater asset owners.

Yourkeys

Yourkeys lets new-build house developers take control of the entire sales process with buyers able to buy a new property online, from start to finish, meaning housebuilders have significantly less reliance on estate agents and do not incur large fees.

Immersive Labs

Immersive Labs has created a cloud based cyber training platform, which enables users to develop cyber skills by completing suites of cyber lab challenges. All labs can be accessed through a browser – no plugins or technical integrations are required.

KETS Quantum Security

KETS mission is to secure communications using future-proof, scalable, and easily-deployed hardware solutions. The company has developed a quantum secured encryption technologies – from quantum random number generators to full quantum key distribution devices — in an integrated platform.

CLEAN TECH AWARD

AVID Technology Group

AVID is now recognised as a leader in the field of systems electrification and heavy-duty vehicle electrification and hybridisation. The group designs and manufactures high integrity electronics and electric motors which can also be used in applications ranging from electric pumps and fans for high performance electric and hybrid vehicle powertrain thermal management, actuation and propulsion.

Dashboard Limited

Dashboard is an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) specialist; combining advanced engineering with data analysis to provide end-to-end industrial digitisation solutions.

The company has a focus in the industries of renewable energy and waste management among others, with potential monitoring applications for any sector increasingly dependent on accurate data analysis and monitoring from an increasingly complex range of systems.

Genius Hub

Genius helps you stay in control of your energy bills, whatever happens. Using the Genius app, users can identify where savings can be made. Users can see which rooms are warmer than they need to be and look back in time to see whether schedules were a good match for when the room was actually used.

iRed

iRed is an industry-leading thermal imaging consultancy and training centre, providing specialist thermal imaging surveys and accredited infrared training across the UK and worldwide.

iRed uses thermal imaging to create ‘thermograms’ that correctly interpreted can give detailed information about heat, heat loss, heat movement and air leakage.

AI/ MACHINE LEARNING AWARD

ACORN OakNorth

ACORN OakNorth is one of the most active lenders in the UK having lent over £2bn with around 20,000 savings customers. Its loans have directly helped with the creation of 8,500 new homes and 8,000 new jobs in the UK, as well as adding several billion pounds to the economy.

The platform collects millions of data items on SMEs across various parameters, sectors, and markets, and uses machine learning algorithms to identify data that lenders need to make more informed credit decisions.

Ansarada

The company’s intelligent information platform is AI-powered and unmatched. Built off the data and experience from helping people achieve their ultimate outcomes on +25,000 deals, we deliver the users an unfair advantage throughout your company’s lifecycle.

Rovco

Rovco aim to lead the way in underwater robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence technologies with their application subsea. The company’s innovations will lower the cost of operations and maintenance for underwater asset owners.

Tessian

Tessian creates machine intelligence to secure enterprises from threats executed by humans keeping the world’s most sensitive data and systems private and secure. Tessian is a machine intelligent email security platform to automatically prevent security threats like misaddressed emails, data loss and non-compliance.

ACORN OakNorth

TECH ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Craig Such – Azzure IT

Craig Such, managing director of Azzure IT, started as an apprentice in the ERP solutions market, working in every department, from product design, consulting, development, support, marketing to board-level management. Such saw that tech had brought more change in the last decade than in the past hundred years, and that digital transformation would affect every small business, in every sector.

Steve Cliffe – Ultrahaptics

Steve Cliffe has spent over 30 years in the technology industry with significant exposure to global markets and experience of senior management positions and commercial roles. Ultrahaptics has raised £30m in funding, and employs around 100 people with offices in Palo Alto, Munich, and Seoul.

Tim Mercer – Vapour Cloud

Mercer’s goal, with Vapour, was to deliver cutting-edge technology and incomparable customer service. Mercer sought after the most intuitive solutions to be available to businesses regardless of size, so clients would no longer be shackled by hefty contracts and questionable support standards. Mercer launched Vapour Cloud with this in mind.

Jon Free – Waste Source

An experienced technical web developer, Free had already worked for over 10 years with a range of blue chip companies such as BSkyB, Nestle and Kia before he joined Waste Source.

The company will end the year with ​16 staff ​and a ​turnover of £5m​, an increase from 10 staff in 2017 ​and a t​urnover of £3.7m​.

BEST USE OF VR/AR

Aug-It

The company has developed the Aug-it! mobile app platform, to deliver Augmented Reality (AR) experiences, as well as more basic app functions. The company can adapt the Aug-it! app to meet all clients requirements, as well as adding value and novelty through unique immersive features.

Interactive Scientific

Interactive Scientific has developed a science platform called Nano Simbox, that visualises the invisible scientific world of atoms and molecules for education, research and corporations. It aims to open the door to scientific discovery to build collaboration in research labs, transform the drug discovery process and increase student’s confidence in abstract science concepts.

Reality Zero One

Valkyrie Industries

Valkyrie Industries patent-pending wearable technology provides sensations of weight and texture to human-computer interfaces, enhanced by precise body tracking, biometrics, and machine learning algorithms constantly adapting haptic sensations to users. With customers from across industries, such as engineering, healthcare and creative.

Aug-It!

MOST INNOVATIVE USE OF SOFTWARE/CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

Altuity Solutions

The company develops software which helps maintain buildings, workplaces and assets creating the perfect environment for people to live, learn, work and socialise in.

The group’s scalable software enables users to manage schools, colleges, universities and workplaces.

Beauhurst

The group gathers a variety of information on every high-growth business in the UK and has developed a SaaS platform to showcase data and allow an easily-searchable dataset featuring companies, their funders and the broader ecosystem that supports them.

Content Guru

Content Guru aims to enhance the way the world communicates, from its omni-channel cloud contact centre solution to our bespoke third-party integration systems. The company uses cutting-edge technology to transform business communications, including the development of AI and propensity modelling to interpret data sources and empower companies to rise to unprecedented levels of customer engagement.

Gooee

Gooee offers a wireless, service-driven, IoT solution for lighting manufacturers. Operating through manufacturers’ lighting, Gooee provides any type of domestic, retail, commercial or industrial premise with several benefits, all falling under three categories: Building intelligence, Human Engagement and Asset Tracking.

Loop Software

A market intelligence platform to enable trusted property advice. Loop is a software and data analytics business that is entirely focused on the property sector; building tools that promote best practice and improve professional standards.

IT/TELECOMS SUPPORT AWARD

Chorus

Chorus is an IT support and software development company, founded in 1999. The company work across all sectors and provide services to a diverse range of organisations. Its clients range in size from 30 to 1,500 staff, covering sectors such as: facilities management, education, utilities, charities and hospitality.

Daisy Group

Established in 2001, Daisy Group aims to disrupt the market and support the underrepresented and under-resourced small business community, it has developed its service propositions through a combination of organic and acquisitive growth.

The group has a strong focus on helping UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) unlock the potential of digital technologies.

Systemagic

Systemagic started in 1999 in response to demand for jargon-free IT support to help businesses embrace the internet and new technologies. The firm provides IT support, cloud solutions and connectivity to businesses throughout the South West and has enjoyed significant growth having developed a strong brand identity and culture.

Lucidica

Lucidica is an IT Support company which works with businesses between 1-50 employees to support customers IT in a way that can encourage and assist in their business’s growth. The company’s clients range from the creative industry to financial services offering a bespoke service.