Digital Catapult launches Platinum Awards to shine a spotlight on the UK’s best tech startups

Today the UK’s leading innovation agency, Digital Catapult, launches the Platinum Awards, a prestigious initiative recognising and celebrating the most innovative advanced digital technology startups and scaleups it has supported through its industry leading innovation programmes and activities.

In the last year Digital Catapult has helped over 600 small businesses. Through our programmes they have had access to key stakeholders in larger organisations and the opportunity to work with researchers and technical experts. The Platinum Awards shines a light on the eight that have achieved the most traction, the most investment and created the best new product or service ideas

For the first Platinum Awards, Digital Catapult will be identifying the most exciting, innovative startup businesses that have been through its renowned accelerator programmes or innovation activities, and who are leading the way in their field across four key focus areas – immersive (virtual, augmented and mixed reality) , artificial intelligence (AI), future networks (5G and Internet of Things) and Future Focus (blockchain and cyber-security).
To act as ambassadors for the Platinum Awards and judge the 2019 winners, Digital Catapult has brought together some of the UK’s leading figures in tech, manufacturing and the creative industries, and is proud to announce the final judging lineup:

• Jeremy Silver, CEO, Digital Catapult, author, angel investor and entrepreneur (chair of the judging panel)
• Sam Brown, Programme Manager, doteveryone
• Scott Carey, Group Editor, IDG Media
• Paul Clarke, CTO, Ocado
• Alissa Dhaliwal, Head of Innovation, CBI
• Marcus du Sautoy FRS OBE, Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford
• Priya Guha, Venture Partner and member of InnovateUK Council
• Dame Wendy Hall, Regius Professor of Computer Science; Non-Executive Director, Digital Catapult
• Imogen Heap, Singer-songwriter, producer and engineer
• Mark Melling, Head of RYOT Studio EMEA at Verizon Media
• Rob Prevett, Co Founder & CEO, Disruption
• Liz Rosenthal, Founder & CEO, Power to the Pixel; programmer, Venice International Film Festival; executive producer CreativeXR
• Alexander Woolf, Director, Huddle

Jeremy Silver, CEO of Digital Catapult said: “Over 400 startups and scaleups benefit from Digital Catapult programmes every year. The Platinum Awards are for the cream of the crop. Based on market traction, sales growth, and product innovation, our very eminent judges have sifted a starry long list to come down to just eight stand-out companies. We’re proud to shine a bright light on the Platinum Award winners; they are global leaders with a competitive edge that has been sharpened from coming through Digital Catapult’s programmes, and we are excited to celebrate them.”

An exclusive group of eight of the best and brightest UK startups will be recognised at Digital Catapult’s 2019 Platinum Awards from a shortlist of 27. The winners will be announced at an exclusive event on 26 November.

Notes to the editors

This is the first Platinum Awards and a new list will be unveiled annually.

About Digital Catapult’s Platinum Awards

Digital Catapult’s Platinum Awards is a prestigious annual ceremony recognising and celebrating the most innovative and fast-growth advanced digital technology startups and scaleups in the UK. Founded in 2019, Digital Catapult Platinum celebrates the diversity and richness of the UK’s tech ecosystem, honouring those that consistently drive innovation and excellence across the UK’s manufacturing and creative industries.

For more information please visit https://platinumawards.digicatapult.org.uk/