The WalesOnline Tech Awards are back - bigger and better than ever
A new name, new categories and a fresh format for the digital sector’s go-to awards
WHERE would we have been without technology over the past 12 months?
No Zoom parties, home working, online lessons . . . in short, this is a sector that has given a lifeline to the public and allowed the heart of our economy to beat during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now we are celebrating our vibrant tech sector in a year like no other with the WalesOnline Tech Awards 2021, which will take place on Thursday, June 10.
The awards, launched in 2017 as the WalesOnline Digital Awards, have returned with a new name, a fresh look, virtual format and new categories, including Young Tech Talent, Female Tech Talent, Innovation In Education Award, Healthtech Pioneer of the Year and Tech Team of the Year.
“These awards will again showcase the excellence that exists in Wales’ fast-expanding digital sector, from established innovative firms and entrepreneurs driving impressive market share, to exciting start-ups with huge potential for growth”, said Media Wales business editor Sion Barry.
“For the Welsh economy to thrive in an ever increasing digital world, where advances in automation will radically change how we live and work, we need a sector that is not only vibrant, but fleet of foot to exploit the huge commercial opportunities that will arise.
“It is hoped that the finalists and winners of the WalesOnline Tech Awards 2021 will encourage a new wave of businesses and innovators to follow in their footsteps.”
As in previous years, an expert panel of judges will sift through nominations - with tech once again coming to the fore as digital meets are still the order of the day.
And, of course, the awards ceremony will be held virtually .
Perhaps fitting that the sector that has so crucial during the Covid-19 pandemic should also be at the cutting edge with its award ceremony.
EVENT DETAILS
The WalesOnline Tech Awards 2021 will take place as a virtual ceremony on Thursday, June 10 2021. Anyone can attend – details of how to join will be released soon.
Tickets are free – all you need to do is register online. Tickets will be made available at the start of May.
Closing date for nominations is Wednesday, May 5.
For further details about categories and how to enter the WalesOnline Tech Awards 2021 visit www.walesonlinetechawards.co.uk/ ■ If you, or your business would like to be a bigger part of our awards we do have some sponsorship opportunities available. Interested? Contact Nikki at Nikki.Kandola@ reachplc.com or 0116 366 5126 for further information.
YOUNG TECH TALENT
Whether an entrepreneur, coder, artist or communicator, one of the region’s brightest innovators will be crowned Young Tech Talent. This category is open to anyone aged 30 and under who is forging their own path and leading the way in the region’s tech community.For example, they could be an integral part of a team, a game designer or web developer, artist or software specialist. The winner could be an entrepreneur or an excellent employee whose work has made a difference to a digital part of a business. Judges are looking for evidence of the impact you or this person has made on the digital landscape.
FEMALE TECH TALENT
An award designed to celebrate the outstanding contribution from a female to Wales’ digital tech scene. It could be a pioneering entrepreneur who has built their business from the ground up to a respected name, or a woman within a company who has become a shining light in digital tech. We want the winner’s story to inspire generations of businesswomen to come. What is so significant about your or the person’s achievements?
TECH START-UP OF THE YEAR SPONSORED BY ADMIRAL
A digital company or organisation that has launched in the last two years (after April 2019) and has already demonstrated success in a market. The winner will have bold ambitions and clear evidence their growth plans have got off to a solid start. Judges will be looking for firms not afraid of challenging the established order. Judges will be looking for evidence that you have made a significant impact to the digital sector, your use of digital technology and what market uptake has been achieved by the startup? Display solid financial performance and growth despite being a new company.
SCALE UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
We’re looking for tech and businesses more two years old, and established digital than with more than £1m in annual revenue that are currently experiencing rapid growth. Judges will be looking at the turnover, profitability, head counts, demonstrable success and/or a great technology platform at the heart of the business, all of which are driving growth. You will have proven your product or service in your initial market, or with key customers, and show a demonstrable route to scaling and growth by expanding into new locations, new products, and new customers. The judges would like to hear about your growth, and how you are overcoming the challenges of growing the business.
LEADERSHIP IN TECHNOLOGY
This award is for a leader whose clear passion, enthusiasm and drive has had a real impact on their organisation or the tech industry in Wales. The winner will be an inspirational role model, who is determined and motivated with a strong vision and flair. Job title is not of importance - it could be a company founder, project manager or someone who has applied their leadership skills in a more informal capacity.
INNOVATION IN EDUCATION AWARD
Individuals or organisations using cutting edge digital approaches to enhance or even revolutionise the learning experience in schools, colleges, universities and beyond. Most students will now be using technology in their home lives, so it makes sense that technology would become a natural part of their learning too, especially with the move to home learning following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the potential to scale, educate in a fun way and support time-poor teachers and provide extra resources outside of the classroom, technology is shaping the way that we learn. Judges are looking for gamechanging technology in the world of education.
TECH TEAM OF THE YEAR
This award recognises the people which drive the region’s best digital businesses. The business does not have to be a company in the tech sector, but your team must be working on digital or technology-related projects which are making a real difference. We want to hear about the teams using digital to push the business forward, either in relation to technological capability or digital output. It could be a project team made up of techies and marketeers who have developed a piece of technology for your business which you simply cannot live without. A collaboration of companies working as a team to achieve an end goal. Or do you have an IT team which delivers unbeatable, top-notch customer service? Or a marketing team which has transformed your business’s online presence and is driving growth? Show how the team has stood out from all others within the business
ECOMMERCE/ TRANSACTIONS AWARD
A company or organisation that can show itself to be a true vanguard of digital commerce. This could range from an online based retail business to a sports club using mobile technologies to build its core business. Firms of all sizes can be considered, from small new companies up to major organisations driving change.
We want to hear from those companies and organisations who can show evidence of digital commerce prior to the Covid-19 pandemic or indeed moving towards a new model as a result of the pandemic.
HEALTHTECH PIONEER OF THE YEAR
From 3D printing organs to video calling doctors, from curing disease through big data to wearables that monitor chronic conditions, healthcare is a sector ripe for disruption. An overburdened NHS and ageing population has meant the sector is increasingly looking towards tech solutions. With the Covid-19 pandemic at the forefront of daily life at the moment, this emphasises the importance of celebrating the pioneering individuals or companies using technology to improve the well-being of patients and revolutionise healthcare as we know it.
TECH FOR GOOD AWARD
This award recognises the application or use of technology for good, whether that is through charitable means, CSR or social impact. Judges will be looking for evidence of innovative uses of technology that positively impact the environment or individuals. This award recognises the application or use of technology for good, whether that is through charitable means, CSR or social impact. Judges will be looking for evidence of innovative uses of technology that positively impact the environment or individuals.
■ To enter the WalesOnline Tech Awards 2021 visit www.wales onlinetechawards.co.uk