Innovation Awards 2023 Winners

Discover the finalists, winners and magic of the Innovation Awards by clicking our digital brochure opposite.

THANKS TO OUR 2023 SUPPORTERS

CATEGORIES AND WINNERS

MANUFACTURING INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SPONSOR

WINNER

Brandauer

Brandauer, a Queens Award for Enterprise Winner, provides over a billion stamped components into multiple sectors every year.

Supplying into the North American, European, Middle Eastern, African and Southeast Asia regions from in-house manufactured precision progression tooling, we have seen increased requirements for stamped components since the development of our modular micron accurate tooling models and we are looking to expand our market share with the ongoing investment in new people, technology and state of the art research and development collaborations

HIGHLY COMMENDED

NOURISH3D

Founded in 2019, Nourished is an award-winning tech startup who developed patented 3D printing technology to create the world’s first truly personalised nutrient gummy.

Consumers can complete a short questionnaire at get-nourished.com, where a science backed algorithm makes a recommendation of 7 vitamins, superfoods and nutrients best suited to the user’s lifestyle and goals.

Nourished delivers bespoke customer orders on demand in 100% plastic free packaging with less waste, hassle and cost than purchasing all the active ingredients separately.

ENGINEERING INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SPONSOR

WINNER

Passenger Lift Services

For over 30 years, Passenger Lift Solutions has been the UK’s leading manufacturer of wheelchair lifts for passenger accessible vehicles. Renowned for engineering excellence and build quality, we believe in making travel accessible to all.

We continuously innovate our products and services with a range of tailored solutions to ensure the highest quality. What sets us apart is our unique approach to designing, developing, and delivering individual projects backed up by our comprehensive warranty and after-sales support

HIGHLY COMMENDED

SMART Baulestrades

Established in July 2017, SMART Balustrades was founded by brothers David and Jonathan Hough, driven by their shared passion for balustrade engineering excellence. With a commitment to innovation and craftsmanship,

SMART Balustrades has rapidly emerged as a leading name in the industry. Our expertise lies in creating cutting-edge solutions for balustrade systems, including switchable glass balustrades, photovoltaic glass balustrades, and clear plastic glass stiffeners.

With a focus on safety, design, and quality, we strive to push the boundaries of what is possible, delivering exceptional results that exceed expectations.

SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SPONSOR

WINNER

Low Carbon Materials

Low Carbon Materials (LCM) is a climate tech company and Earthshot Prize finalist focusing on low-carbon, next-generation construction material alternatives in the race to Net-Zero. Our novel process creates a carbon-negative aggregate – OSTO® – which is used in the production of concrete as a substitute for traditional carbon-intensive materials, making carbon-neutral concrete.

Our science-led innovation is 2.5x lighter than traditional mineral aggregates, thermally insulating and sequesters and permanently stores CO2. OSTO is made of unrecyclable waste products that would otherwise be incinerated.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Incredible Husk

Incredible Husk International is an innovative UK research and development biotechnology group, It specialises in the development of innovative materials to replace the current materials that are harmful for the environment.

HuskPure: a unique material comprising of agricultural-waste by-products and a bio-based non-synthetic binder to replace plastic.

HuskPlus: is composed of 52% HuskPure material and 48% of waste plastic to clean up plastic pollution.

Incredible Cladding: is a novel, highly innovative material which can take the appearance of leather or wood and stone if mixed differently.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SPONSOR

WINNER

Active Needle Technology

Active Needle Technology Ltd. (ANT) is a medical device company that is revolutionising needle applications with its innovative platform ultrasound technology. ANT’s technology imparts high-frequency pulsation to needles. This short, but highly rapid, movement:

Reduces tip deflection and ‘lights up’

Reduces pain and skin trauma.

Improves local distribution of drugs, allowing localised treatment.

The company is exploiting these effects in a variety of applications in medicine, medico-cosmetic and life sciences sectors. The technology promises reducing in-hospital costs and time, better patient experience and upskilling less experienced users, allowing better use of scarce medical resources.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Incredible Husk

CrossTech delivers Network Rail’s leading automated digital lineside inspection platform, Hubble. Hubble works collaboratively with train operators to ingest video from the front of trains to produce insights on vegetation encroachment, hazardous vegetation species, signal obstruction, graffiti, and signal sighting faults to name but a few.

These insights are used by Network Rail’s front-line teams to support the industry’s shift to preventative maintenance.

With a growing global footprint, CrossTech use AI within transport to drive innovation, enhance operational performance, efficiency, and safety.

Hubble is one of the UK’s leading AI success stories and received support from the Department of Transport, Network Rail and Innovate UK.

SERVICES INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SPONSOR

WINNER

DRP Group

DRPG, a worldwide creative communications group, crafts integrated solutions and experiences for diverse clients and brands.

They excel in innovation, championing ESG and securing ‘The Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development’ – the only creative agency to achieve this. Listed among the top 100 best companies to work for (Business and Innovation Magazine), DRPG pioneers groundbreaking technology, fosters exceptional team culture, and offers unrivalled services, making ‘Anything Possible’.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Liquid PR

Liquid is a global, integrated, and award-winning creative consultancy.

Since its inception in a Bromsgrove garage in 2004, Liquid has grown from a small PR start-up to a versatile marketing and communications consultancy boasting a team of over 35 employees. With offices in Birmingham, UK and Brisbane, Australia, Liquid continues to deliver ground-breaking and innovative projects to clients across 25 jurisdictions around the globe.

COMMUNITY INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SPONSOR

WINNER

Free@Last

free@last support, enable and equip our inner-city children and young people to reduce the severity and frequency of the struggles they face and to improve their lives by expanding their skills, knowledge and opportunities, and giving them the change to dream.

We do this by providing support, activities, adventure, exploration, life skills and business skills. We have 2 teenage youth led businesses (brumting.co.uk and faffree.co.uk) and we have given over 40 young people their first job at our familyfunzone.co.uk.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Legacy Centre of Excellence

Legacy Centre of Excellence is the largest Black Arts and Business Centre in Europe. The facility is in the heart of the community and has small and large flexible spaces/various amenities which are used by local people from diverse communities.The organisation

uses innovative methods to engage different communities; improve the artistic, cultural, economic and STEM ecology of North Birmingham, and support regional and national work in partnership with organisations who share our values.

We deliver training and educational programs, internships, work placements, support for small businesses and initiatives that improve local people’s wellbeing.

NEW INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

SEERGRILLS

What happens when AI meets grilling? Witness the biggest leap in cooking since the discovery of Fire 🔥.
Introducing Perfecta™
The World’s First AI Powered Grill..=
The World’s Fastest Grill.
The World’s Most Intelligent Grill.
The World’s Most Efficient Grill.

Using patent pending NeuralFire™ technology this SMART grill rapidly, automatically and perfectly cooks food at the touch of a button in less than 3 minutes.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

ORIGIN21

Origin21 has revolutionised the production of green hydrogen by reducing its cost of production using sonication. This method is so effective it can be used from salt water all the way through to deionised water and can reduce the power requirements by up to 50%. This means cheaper green hydrogen with a much smaller footprint. e have several other technologies including the extraction of hydrogen from water without electricity and the conversion of diesel generators into hydrogen hybrid ICE.

FEMALE INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

Renia Gkountiou

Renia Gkountiou is an Additive Manufacturing Engineer/Technician at Aston University’s APF project. Her role involves aiding SMEs in product design, prototyping using additive manufacturing, and adopting new technologies. She manages and maintains the APF lab’s 3D printers.

With a passion for design, Industry 4.0, and 3D printing, Renia pursued a Master’s in Industrial Digitalization. She gained hands-on experience in various additive manufacturing technologies. Renia, who previously studied Production and Management Engineering in Greece, is also dedicated to inspiring young women to pursue STEM careers, sharing her journey at events like You Will and Innovation Women conferences.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Dr Sonia Reynolds

Creating a new way to construct fabric is Dr Sonia Reynolds Story. With more than 30 years’ experience within cross disciplinary design her revolutionary approach introduces a 4th class of textile beyond woven, knit and nonwoven materials.

Her disruptive process has gained numerous accolades including the Transformative Technologies grant, awarded by Innovate UK.

MALE INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

Matt Jones

Matt Jones is the MD of Oxbridge. Oxbridge envisions a world where everyone, regardless of background, circumstance, or location, should have the opportunity to better themselves. At Oxbridge, we’re on a mission to improve everyone’s education.

We’re doing this by creating the World’s first online college experience, using clever technology and good old-fashioned teaching skills to improve learning quality, grades, and outcomes.

The results speak for themselves: 69% of our A-level passes achieved a grade A or above. That’s better than most colleges in the U.K.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Prof Gino Martini

Professor Gino Martini is CEO of the Precision Health Technologies Accelerator and a passionate advocate of collaboration in life sciences research and development.

A former Chief Scientist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Gino has considerable experience in both academia and industrial pharmacy and is focused on helping life sciences SMEs and entrepreneurs to commercialise innovations for patient benefit – as well as using PHTA as an anchor institution to help reduce health inequality in its local community and beyond.

YOUNG INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

Lucy Gilbert

Lucy Gilbert heads up the Innovation Hub for University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire. Lucy has grown the team to 6 and pioneered lifesaving treatments including a first-ever partnership with Skyfarer to transport vital bloods from the lab to the hospital in under 8 mins. This saves approximately 37 mins on road transport.

She has also been involved with the introduction of an AI drug management system to eradicate drug-shortages across the hospital.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Shireenah Ingram

I am passionate about the craft of acting and the art of storytelling. I empower clients to hone their craft, build confidence, and develop the tools to succeed in the highly competitive field of pitching, presenting and performing.

Innovating Red Lens has meant I could extend my offer of performance coaching to not only aspiring actors but also everyday professionals. Equipping individuals with performance skills I possess and teach them how to integrate those same techniques into their everyday life.

MANUFACTURING INNOVATION CHAMPION- ORGANISATION

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

Confederation of British Metalforming

CBM (Confederation of British Metalforming) has been nominated for an award for its support to members in addressing challenges and needs in the Metalforming sector.

CBM’s efforts in identifying opportunities for metalformers to maximize their business efficiency with new and innovative approaches, as well as regularly disseminating results among other members, are commendable. The nomination for this award is a testament to CBM’s dedication and effectiveness in its mission.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Cast Metals Federation

The Castings Metals Federation, CMF, is the UK Castings Industry Trade Association. Our members produce near-net-shape, precision finished components & assemblies in all sizes, volumes, cast weights, metal alloys & processes, for UK & international markets, with production facilities in the UK.

Casting is a key part of the circular economy for metals – the industry routinely uses secondary raw materials to help lower final product carbon footprint. Free help with sourcing the Best of British Casting from the CMF.

SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION CHAMPION- ORGANISATION

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

University of Derby - Green Entrepreneurs Programme

The Green Entrepreneurs Programme comprises of a £2m grant fund provided by Derbyshire County Council and administered by the University of Derby, which is intended to support organisations that are developing and investing in green energy and carbon reduction schemes.

It has been operating since April 2021 and supports a wide range of Derbyshire-based organisations with Demonstrator grants of up to £200k, Small grants of up to £20k, as well as funding towards low carbon and green skills development.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Keele University Smart Energy Network Demonstrator

Keele University is leading the world on sustainability. Our campus is home to Europe’s largest Smart Energy Network Demonstrator, where pioneering green technologies are developed to help cut UK and worldwide carbon emissions, and as 2021 Global Sustainability Institution of the Year we’ve embedded sustainability across everything we do. One of the first UK universities to declare a ‘climate emergency’, we have an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2030, and already produce 50% of our own electricity from renewable sourcesand collaborative R&D.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION CHAMPION- ORGANISATION

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

STEAMHouse

STEAMhouse is a collective. For the business community we provide support and state of the art space to companies of all sizes from sole traders through to large corporations.

We offer production and prototyping facilities for technologists, artists, designers, scientists and innovators. We facilitate workshops for makers, thought leaders and academics. This multi-disciplinary community drives business growth and overcomes commercial and societal challenges through collaborative innovation.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

PHTA

The Precision Health Technologies Accelerator

(PHTA Ltd) is the University of Birmingham’s flagship life sciences research and development facility, located at the new Birmingham Health Innovation Campus.

It offers premium lab, office and development space for SMEs and entrepreneurs who want to collaborate with thought leaders from across Birmingham’s clinical-academic life sciences ecosystem, as well as with other innovative companies. PHTA is also home to the Industry Trials Hub, service offering a unique approach to clinical trials

MANUFACTURING INNOVATION CHAMPION-
BUSINESS

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

Marchant Cain

Helping our customers to achieve the products they have imagined. We revel in cross-fertilising ideas from one industry to another, from one application to another and the use of the latest technologies, where they will be the most appropriate, or more tried and tested technologies where they offer the best solution.

As a small company, we pride ourselves on the breadth of our projects – from bespoke hypercar components, to furniture, to decorative bridge parapets..

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Smallfry

Smallfry is a strategy-led Design and Innovation Consultancy, they create products and services that put people first.

Smallfry has been developing products and services for customers both nationally

and globally for over 50 years. Using a whole range of skills and techniques, including research, innovation strategy, and marketing methodology, paired with world-class design and engineering knowledge, they have been associated with some of the region’s biggest success stories.

SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION CHAMPION-
BUSINESS

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

International Synergies

International Synergies Ltd is the world’s leading expert on industrial symbiosis, the circular economy in action.

Realising waste is a resource in the wrong place, ISL helps its clients think outside the box about resource management, delivering cost and carbon reduction for manufacturing and infrastructure clients.

ISL’s projects in 50 countries have enabled over 50 million tonnes CO2e saving through its state-of-the-art resource reuse platform SYNERGie®4Matching.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Julie Gallagher

It’s a pleasure to introduce myself. My name is Julie Gallagher and I’ve been working in the energy efficiency/renewable technology industry since 2013. Supporting businesses in decarbonising their estates across the UK and Europe. Working in all sectors. Implementing design and carbon reduction strategies, I am incredibly passionate about what I do.”

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION CHAMPION-
BUSINESS

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

Intercity

At Intercity, we have developed our Cyber Security Framework based on the National Cyber Security Centre framework for securing critical infrastructure.

This pivotal framework takes a holistic approach to security, simplifying industry and government best practices so that businesses are able to develop and embed a people wide culture, where security becomes a shared responsibility.

Our framework encapsulates technology, skills, operations and training to enable everyone, from board level to entry-level employees, to be on the same security journey.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

DOCK-Y

DOCK-Y is an AI-tech technology company looking to make micromobility safer, smarter and more secure for riders and the pedestrians. Using cameras and sensors at a fraction of cost and smart algorithms, DOCK-Y can detect hazards to help riders avoid dangerous situations on public roads and prevent accidents. “Our goal is to make micromobility safe and reliable by bringing state-of-the-art AI driven safety innovations to riders and the public, the likes of which is found in Tesla” says the CEO, Manish Pillay a former engineer at companies like Aston Martin and McLaren.

INNOVATION THOUGHT LEADER-
BUSINESS

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

BCRS

BCRS Business Loans is a CDFI run on a non-profit basis. BCRS provides loans to businesses unable to secure funding through mainstream lenders. We believe that SMEs are a force for good; companies use our loans to prosper, create jobs and strengthen the economies of the communities we operate in. We are a relationship-based lender who takes the time to understand our customers. Our experienced team are passionate about supporting businesses so they can access finance with confidence.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Engineers Insight

Engineers Insight is the central, agnostic platform for the manufacturing industry.

Manufacturers need a platform to launch products, give firmware/software updates, announce product end of life, post case studies and reach potential customers, all whilst being given reliable analytics.

Engineers need a single platform to be able to find product releases and documents, to prevent having to search multiple manufacturers websites. Our mission is to bridge the gap between Manufacturers and Engineers.

INNOVATION THOUGHT LEADER-
INDIVIDUAL

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

Dr Pam Waddell OBE

Dr Pam Waddell OBE is the founding Director of the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, an independent partnership working to stimulate innovation across the West Midlands through building a vibrant innovation ecosystem and catalysing collaborative activity focussed on demand-led innovation.

A recognised authority in innovation as a driver for economic growth and improved public services, Pam has been central to the designed and delivered phases 1 and 2 of the WM Innovation Programme, with WMCA and multiple business-facing partners.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

Charlotte Bowden

As an innovation thought leader Charlotte Bowden is committed to helping SMEs create positive change in a ‘safe space’. The aim of the programme is to create jobs, offer a support system and increase profits over the next 2-5 years. Each session is action focussed and enables business leaders to share their experiences and exchange ideas.

Participants are challenged to think differently about operations, products, processes, staff training and wellbeing. This programme contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the region.

INNOVATION THOUGHT LEADER-
ORGANISATION

SUPPORTED BY:

WINNER

MSDUK

Minority Supplier Development UK (MSDUK) is the leading supplier diversity advocacy organisation in the UK, championing ethnic minority business in global corporate supply chains. Recognising that ethnic minority entrepreneurs still to this day face various barriers and under-representation, MSDUK provides invaluable support, ensuring sustainable growth and resilience in the long term for these businesses.

MSDUK runs several initiatives and programmes for ethnic minority businesses to receive support, including Innovation Challenge, Accelerator, Building Business Leaders of the Future and many more. Through these initiatives, we provide funding, cash prizes, 1-2-1 mentoring, scholarships and more.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

GBS LEP

As an innovation thought leader, GBSLEP Growth Hub is committed to supporting SME businesses with view to creating positive change. We challenge business leaders to think differently about the way they run their organisation; from improving products and processes to staff wellbeing and skills training.

Our holistic approach inspires innovation and innovative thinking and encourages businesses to grow at all stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Ultimately, our work is about enabling innovative, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth across the region.

THE JUDGES' AWARD

DOST Digital Innovations Center’s core strategy revolves around the simplification and digitization of social service provision processes by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population in Azerbaijan.

With a strong emphasis on citizen-centricity, the Center is committed to expanding proactive services and broadening the range of e-services. Notably, 91% of public social services have already been successfully digitized. Ongoing projects focus on centralizing and unifying the management of social e-services to enhance efficiency and convenience for citizens.

THE DIRECTORS' AWARD

SUPPORTED BY:

“It’s only sustainable when it’s inclusive”.

WEST (women in engineering, science & technology), a not-for- profit organisation focused on inclusive innovations and outreach. They consult with companies and institutions to create inclusive innovations and workspaces using human-centred-design.

Globally, WEST’s pioneering strategies have impacted innovation for the delivery of patent-pending bioenergy technology to developing countries. Locally, their outreach aims to improve the leaky STEM pipeline by increasing minority participation at a young age.

THANKS AGAIN TO OUR 2023 HEADLINE SPONSOR

Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. With unrivalled expertise within innovation funding and tax relief, Ryan supports UK companies with their business growth by enabling them to fund their future. Our specialist team will assess your business’s eligibility for our wide range of innovation funding services, ranging from grant funding and the patent box to commercial property tax relief and research and development. 

DIAMOND SPONSOR

Starting Point Recruitment (SPR) are proud of their unique approach that breaks the mould of traditional recruitment agencies. They donate 100% of their profits to charity and are driving the responsible recruitment revolution. Since 2003, they have been transforming lives, businesses and local communities through their socially conscious recruitment experience.

DIAMOND SPONSOR

The Technology Supply Chain is a membership for manufacturing, engineering and technology companies. We help our over 4,000 members to innovate and grow by connecting them with the grants, funded programmes and support they need. You are invited to find out more and join us at https://www.technologysupplychain.co.uk.

GOLD SPONSORS

WMG is a globally renowned research organisation with internationally recognised expertise and facilities.

We are both an academic department of the University of Warwick, and one of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult centres. WMG is a leading international role model for successful collaboration between academia and the public and private sectors, accelerating and de-risking innovation for industry, driving cutting edge R&D to develop the brightest ideas and talent to shape our future.

Tantamount is a creative agency specialising in brand identity and communication. We work with businesses and professionals internationally, with a particular emphasis on the hospitality & leisure, technology and publishing sectors.

Our services include communication design, brand development, digital experiences, content creation, motion graphics and print & digital publishing.

Find out how we can move your business forward and attract the clients you want.

Beeswift is a manufacturer and wholesaler of Personal Protective Equipment/Clothing encompassing a wide range of safety products and high quality workwear.

At Beeswift we pride ourselves on providing high quality PPE from footwear to head protection, products that protect our customers with superior durability and improved comfort.

Our 144,000 sqft Birmingham based HQ and Distribution Centre (NDC) has significant stockholding, serving the UK, Ireland and International territories along with an in-house embroidery and badging facility.

With around 29,000 students from 100 countries (HESA Student Record 2020/21 © Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited) Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study. We put students at the heart of everything we do, giving them the best opportunities for future success.
BCU has put £270 million into the regional economy and support thousands of jobs in the area. We’re investing £340 million in our estate, including a major expansion of our city-centre campus at Eastside, providing students with an enviable range of facilities.

At Oxbridge, the online college, there are no term times, no strict schedules, and no headaches – just award-winning online courses with unlimited tutor support. We provide everything that you need to achieve real-world, job-ready online qualifications. Our accredited online courses are available all year round, so you can start learning today.

We’re well-known for our online qualifications, from GCSE courses and A-level courses to recognised childcare courses and teaching assistant qualifications in Ofsted-regulated environments. Our courses are thoughtfully developed to allow you to study at a speed that suits you, with access to additional resources like past papers. So whether you’re looking to use Oxbridge to get to University or into a new job, our home learning courses will enable you to gain real-world, recognised qualification.

Engaging a legal firm can be daunting and the fear of being overcharged or confused due to not understanding the language used by solicitors is a real barrier for some potential clients who require support.

At Talbots we are different.

Our tone is conversational and our aim is to avoid legal jargon wherever possible. We showcase our expertise not through long words, but by communicating technicalities clearly and simply.

Our culture is one of a fun firm that employs real people with a sense of humour and friendliness, while remaining professional enough to provide assurance that we’re the best people for the job.