Techies News

It’s back! The Techies Awards 2022 is now open for entries

The Business Exchange is delighted to announce that the Techies Awards Swindon & Wiltshire are returning for 2022.

The award scheme which is now in its fifth year is opening for entries, today, Monday 4th April.

The Techies celebrate the amazing tech innovation happening on our doorstep and shine a light on organisations, projects and individuals undertaking outstanding work in their fields.

The Techies is possible thanks to the support of our headline sponsor The Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP) and category sponsors, All Boxed, Business Cyber Centre, Computer Network Defence (CND), Elm Workspace, Monahans, SETSquared and Thrings. 

The Techies Awards are designed to be inclusive with categories recognising people, products, and contribution to the Swindon and Wiltshire community.

Previous years’ winners include Ramsbury’s Green Machine Computers – the IT recycling experts, Royal Wootton Bassett’s IT infrastructure and network specialist ISN, Highworth’s website design and development firm Digital Trading, and Salisbury’s Cervus.ai, a data analytics specialist.

There are 12 categories to enter, and a new award has been added for 2022, Outstanding Contribution to Swindon & Wiltshire Tech. This award has been introduced to put the spotlight on the individual whose work in the tech sector has made or has the potential to make a significant long-term impact on the community and/or wider society.

Founder of The Business Exchange and organiser of the Techies, Anita Jaynes, said, “I can’t wait to get this year’s competition underway. This year marks five years since I launched the award scheme in 2018 and after two years of pivoting and making the Techies awards possible despite the challenges of the pandemic (virtual 2020, hybrid 2021), I can’t wait to get everyone back in a physical room, to raise a toast and finally celebrate in-person again the fantastic talent we have in our area.

“Awards Night will happen in early November. Details are currently being finalised, but plans are underway to make the 5th annual Techies Awards extra special. Watch this space!

“Now all you need to do is get entering or encouraging friends to enter. You’ve got to be in it to win it!”

AWARD CATEGORIES:

Flying the Flag for Swindon & Wilts Tech – Sponsored by SETSquared

Best Tech Support Service 

Future Tech Superstar

Social Impact Award

Best Tech Security – Sponsored by Business Cyber Centre

Best Tech Start-up – Sponsored by Computer Network Defence

Most Innovative Tech Solution

Best User Experience

Using Tech to Transform Business – Sponsored by Elm Workspace

Driven by Data – Sponsored by Monahans

Tech Team of the Year – Sponsored by Thrings

NEW Outstanding Contribution to
Swindon & Wiltshire Tech – Sponsored by All Boxed

What our judges say…

Paddy Bradley

Paddy Bradley, CEO at the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership

“We love being involved in The Techies! We are proud to be the headline sponsor in 2022, our fifth year. The Awards have that great mix of rigour in selection and informality at the ceremony. It is a perfect blend for our thriving tech business community. I always look forward to reading the two extremes of applications. The novel, inventive ideas are exciting and the thorough, reliable applications are the solid foundations from which great businesses grow. When I read the Future Tech Superstar entries, I know there is a brilliant future ahead for tech in Swindon and Wiltshire. So, my request to businesses who may be toying with entering for an award, please follow your gut instinct and put in that application, get the recognition you deserve from your colleagues and be part of a wonderful event.”

Kate Westbrook, Partner and Head of Commercial at Thrings

“The Techies has become a must-attend event for our Swindon and Wiltshire tech community and I’m proud to play a part in it. Every year brings something different and expands our tech community to new corners of the county. I’m looking forward to finding out about the hidden gems that I know we have in our area. I’m keen to hear from businesses that have a clear idea of the problem they’re solving and are able to demonstrate the difference they make – and that they do it profitably.

Kate Westbrook

“In relation to the Tech Team of the Year category, which Thrings is delighted to be sponsoring once again, I am looking for evidence of how teams work together to get results. The evidence is the key; don’t just tell us, show us. I would also encourage applicants to get creative with their submission, include a video or photos if you think it will bring the application to life. The Techies is such a great way to take stock of what you do, consider how and why you do it, and showcase what you’ve achieved. We gather together to celebrate the collective achievements of the Swindon and Wiltshire tech community and I’d wholeheartedly recommend both tech businesses and businesses using tech to get involved.”

Ali Hadavizadeh, Founder at Acorn Biz Solutions

Dr Ali Hadavizadeh

“Judging the Techies awards is one of the most enjoyable and inspiring events of my annual calendar and seeing the amazing Wiltshire Tech community engaged in impactful activities such as solving real challenges for their clients and creating jobs and wealth at local, national and international levels is truly awesome. The Techies Awards is a brilliant opportunity to shout about your venture, big up your team, expand your network and hopefully land new contracts.”

James Eades, Managing Director at Systemagic

“I’m so proud to be on the judging panel once again and having been involved since the very beginning, I find it fascinating and motivating to see more and more super impressive businesses entering themselves each year.

James Eades

“Last year many of the entries gave us a huge amount of detail and evidence which we love. Three-sentence entries are going to struggle to compete with a more crafted approach, although concise bullet points are very welcome. As a judging panel we love to see evidence, so instead of telling us your customer service is brilliant, show us through the use of statistics, testimonials and supporting materials.

“You won’t find a more ethical, fair and supportive judging panel so please don’t shy away from entering. I’ve loved seeing pre-revenue businesses and sole traders win alongside multi-million-pound enterprises, so I’d encourage any Wiltshire based tech business to enter. Entering awards is great for publicity and marketing and being shortlisted or winning can give your entire team a boost. If you aren’t sure whether to enter, what’s expected or would like some hints and tips then please reach out. As both a Techies judge and MD of a tech business that’s won many awards over the years, I’d love to help you.”

Kathryn Wellum-Kent, Business Services Director, Monahans

Kathryn Wellum Kent

“When looking at this year’s entries, I want to really get a feel for the businesses that are entering, to get a sense of what it would be like to be part of the team. The most successful tech businesses I have worked with in the past have all had a strong culture and I want to see that. I can’t get away from my accountancy roots, so I also want data that supports the entry, whether that is NPS figures, client wins/losses, revenue/profit growth, or something else which makes the picture you are building through your entry more compelling.

“Having entered some awards myself recently, I got a lot from preparing the entry, taking some time to reflect on what we have achieved, recognise our successes, and sharing this with the wider team. So, I would encourage anyone who is thinking of entering, to just do it, irrespective of whether you think you might win, and you never know, you might surprise yourself.”

Mirabelle Stobbs

Mirabelle Stobbs, Programme Manager, Swindon Borough Council

“I’m looking forward to the anticipation of discovering new talent and fresh ideas from the tech sector. I’m keen to hear what invention and innovation has occurred because of the pandemic, due to the changing needs of companies and their customers and employees.

“From this year’s entries I’m looking to see honesty, openness and clarity. Evidence of great collaboration, working with other organisations as clients or partners to create imaginative products and services.”

 

HOW TO ENTER

You can enter the Techies online at: www.the-techies-sw.co.uk 

The awards are only open to organisations in Swindon and Wiltshire. Read the full competition rules and eligibility here.

ENTRIES CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2022