Prolific North launched its very own Tech Awards in 2019, in recognition of the pioneers emerging from the North of England’s thriving tech sector.
Back in 2018, the digital publisher announced the launch of industry exhibition Tech Show North in response to the news that tech investment was accelerating faster in the North than anywhere else in Europe.
Now part of Digital City Festival, Tech Show North showcased what the region’s tech industry had to offer, bringing together start-ups, scale-ups and established players which were making huge steps in the region.
With the North already well-renowned for in areas like ecommerce, and rapidly demonstrating excellence in specialisms like SaaS, fintech, VR, AR and more – it was clear there was much to be celebrated in the region.
To recognise the talent, drive and ambition across the sector, it marked the launch of the first-ever Prolific North Tech Awards, a 2019 event which was hosted by BBC presenter Will Perry at Manchester’s historic Midland Hotel. This kicked-off a celebration of what was so brilliant about tech in the North – championing innovation, Tech for Good, platforms, entrepreneurs, growth and more.
Establishing the Prolific North Tech Awards
It sat alongside Prolific North’s awards of longer heritage – what were then the Prolific North Awards and the Northern Marketing Awards, both of which launched in 2013 – and matched their ambition to celebrate those businesses and individuals making a difference in their sector.
Judges came together from organisations like Tech Nation, Bruntwood SciTech, Tesco Bank, Microsoft Search Advertising, Manchester Tech Trust and more, to select the finalists and winners for all the sought-after awards.
The sell-out event brought together a range of influential tech figures to reward their remarkable talent, and saw Sam Coley of TickX named Young Tech Entrepreneur of the Year, while Richard Hayes of Mojo Mortgages was named Tech Entrepreneur of the Year.
From these beginnings, the Prolific North Tech Awards have continued to be enormously successful in showing off on a national and international stage the innovation and influence of digital technology in the North of England – whose cities are some of the most exciting hotbeds of tech.
2020 saw the return of the prestigious Prolific North Tech Awards, with hundreds uniting in February that year to once again acknowledge the success and growth of tech in the North. At the Hilton Manchester Deansgate, presenter Gavin Ramjaun compered as more than 300 came together to celebrate.
Winners included Autocab, Spectre, and Nivo, with finalists and winners hailing from across the region, all joining us in Manchester to celebrate the North.
Navigating Covid and the evolving success of the Prolific North Tech Awards
Not long after, plans for a follow-up Prolific North Tech Awards had to be put on hold as the country and the industry adapted to the impact of Covid-19. The country went into lockdown days after the inaugural Digital City Festival, with the rest of Prolific North’s awards portfolio either postponed or held virtually.
Undeterred, the Prolific North Tech Awards returned in 2021. Where before the awards were hosted early in spring, they moved to October where they have since remained. The awards were hosted at the Museum of Science and Industry last year, a fitting venue for such innovation and inventiveness.
Prolific North Tech Awards
Once again Gavin Ramjaun led proceedings at the remarkable museum, handing out awards to the deserving winners – who included Umii, Liverpool 5G Create, Tutorful and more. Coming out of the pandemic, this was one to remember for recognising the sector’s adaptability, resilience and, ultimately, its brilliance.
Which brings us onto 2022 – where once again the Northern tech scene will come together to recognise its brightest stars. Entries for this year’s Tech Awards are open now and close on September 11th, with winners set to be revealed at Hilton Deansgate, Manchester on October 27th.
The fourth Prolific North Tech Awards are set to be bigger and better than ever, championing tech success and rewarding the companies putting the North on the map. Judges include Tech Nation’s Liz Scott, Google’s Ben Tan, and Rise at Seven’s Richard Lawrence. The judges this year recently shared their insightful tips on what it takes to craft that winning entry.
To learn more about the process and to get started on an entry, click here. Make sure you join us on the night as we continue to #CelebrateTheNorth !
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