Enter the 2019 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards
The 2019 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards are now open for nominations.
A celebration of the finest achievements across a range of sectors, the awards are now in their third year.
Supported by a stellar cast of sponsors, the event will take place at the Bradfield Centre, the exciting £20million deep tech hub on Cambridge Science Park, on October 30.
To enter, simply fill in the form below before the closing date of July 31.
A description of the categories can be found below.
The rules
Entrants must have a base within the Cambridge Independent circulation area.
Nominees can enter more than one category
Nominations are open now and close at midnight on July 31.
THE CATEGORIES
Start-up of the Year
Sponsored by Regus
A celebration of early-stage companies, we’re looking for an entrepreneurial business with a new way of doing things. How will your company improve on what’s out there already?
STEM Initiative of the Year
Sponsored by MathWorks
A new category for 2019, this award will recognise work to encourage greater engagement in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. From inspiring young people to consider courses and careers in STEM, and creating the next generation of entrepreneurs, to broadening access to, and understanding of STEM fields in the wider population, we are looking for projects that have made a difference.
Agritech Company of the Year
Sponsored by SmithsonHill
With our climate, biodiversity and food production emergency, it is more important than ever that agritech helps find solutions. The judges will be looking for those who bring together cutting-edge technologies with farming to address any agricultural challenge.
Award for Innovation
Sponsored by Cambridge Precision
A new award this year, this will highlight innovative products, ideas and companies across all fields of science and technology. How is what you offer different to what’s out there? How has your company changed the landscape? Share your stories of ingenuity with us.
Researcher of the Year
Sponsored by AstraZeneca
Open to academic and commercial researchers, this award will recognise a researcher who is outstanding in his or her field, and has carried out high quality work in the last year. Share details of the purpose, method and findings of the research, its impact, any publications and potential applications of the work. Researchers can nominate themselves, or be nominated by others.
The Tech for Good Award
Sponsored by Allia Future Business Centre
Another new category for 2019, this award seeks to reward those using technology for positive social, environmental or economic ends. Open to companies, social enterprises and other organisations, the judges will reward impact.
The One to Watch
Sponsored by Cofinitive
This award seeks to identify the next raft of individuals, companies and technologies that are setting the standards in innovation and entrepreneurship. We’re looking for the trailblazers, who are pushing the boundaries of possibility and shaping the future.
Cleantech Company of the Year
Sponsored by Woodfines
We want to reward the pioneers of cleantech, thinking about the planet as well as their bottom line. The winner will be a company with technology that solves a problem, or improves lives, in a sustainable way.
Games Company of the Year
The Cambridge games sector is thriving. The judges are looking to reward a company that has delivered in the last 12 months. Evidence of player engagement, sales and positive feedback will be welcomed by the panel, as will evidence that companies are a great employer and play a role in their community.
Biotech Company of the Year
Sponsored by Chesterford Research Park
The Cambridge region is at the centre of one of the most exciting biotechnology clusters in the world, so we expect a fantastic contest for this title, which will go to a company that can demonstrate how its work can change lives.
Medtech Company of the Year
Diagnostic devices, monitoring tools and the use of technology to change how disease is treated are the subject of this category. Judges are looking for evidence of how a company’s medtech is improving healthcare for patients.
AI Company of the Year
Sponsored by Appleyard Lees
Cambridge is leading the way in using artificial intelligence and machine learning in innovative ways. The judges are looking for a compelling, innovative use of AI.
CEO of the Year
Sponsored by Grant Thorton
We are looking for an inspirational CEO who led a company or organisation to new heights in the past 12 months. Evidence of progress, change or entrepreneurship - and genuine leadership qualities - will be looked on favourably by the judging panel. Chief executives can nominate themselves, or be nominated.
Technology Company of the Year
Sponsored by Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University
A broad category that encapsulates any company with technology at its heart - from wireless tech to software, engineering expertise to electronics. How does your company’s technology stand out from the crowd? What has your company achieved in the last 12 months?
Life Science Company of the Year
Sponsored by BioStrata
The winner of this coveted title will need to demonstrate how their work in the last year has made a difference. We are looking for a pioneer - a company worthy of special recognition in one of the world’s most exciting life science clusters.
THE EVENT
Reception sponsored by HSBC
The Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2019 will place on October 30 at the Bradfield Centre, the deep tech hub on Cambridge Science Park. The event will feature a drinks reception sponsored by HSBC, and represents a fantastic networking opportunity.
Meet all the sponsors of the 2019 awards
ABOUT THE AWARDS
The Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards are now in their third year.
The 2018 ceremony brought together some of the brightest and best entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers and business leaders in Cambridge.
Winners included Martin Frost, of CMR Surgical, who was named CEO of the Year, GeoSpock, which won Technology Company of the Year, and Microbiotica, as Life Science Company of the Year.
This year’s awards, with the addition of new categories, promise to be another extraordinary showcase of the Cambridge region’s world-leading technologies.
Editor Paul Brackley said: “It is with great pleasure that we launch the 2019 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards.
“Now established as the pre-eminent awards in the region across science and technology, they represent an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and ingenuity of companies and individuals working here.
“I would like to thank our sponsors for their support, and look forward to seeing some excellent nominees, whose work we will be pleased to highlight in the coming months.”
A judging panel, chaired by Paul and featuring experts from across a range of science and technology fields, will determine the winners to be announced at the awards ceremony, which will feature a reception sponsored by HSBC, which we are delighted to welcome as a new supporter of the awards this year.
New categories this year include STEM Initiative of the Year, designed to highlight exceptional work in engaging young people with science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Sponsored by Mathworks, a leading developer of mathematical computing software, the award reflects the critical importance to the Cambridge region of encouraging new talent into STEM courses and careers.
Also new for 2019 is the Tech for Good Award, sponsored by Allia Future Business Centres, which focuses on the use of technology for positive social, environmental and economic outcomes.
And there is an Award for Innovation, sponsored by engineering solutions company Cambridge Precision, highlighting game-changing companies and products.
Once again, the awards will feature two categories for individuals, who can nominate themselves, or be nominated by colleagues.
Researcher of the Year, sponsored by global biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, will acknowledge extraordinary work over the last year by a researcher in an academic or commercial field.
CEO of the Year, sponsored by business and financial advisers Grant Thornton, will highlight an inspirational chief executive who has delivered significant progress over the last 12 months.
Once again, we are working with Cofinitive on the One to Watch Award - a celebration of the people, companies or ‘things’ that have the potential to shake up their field.
Also returning this year are Biotech Company of the Year, sponsored by Chesterford Research Park, Medtech Company of the Year and Life Science Company of the Year, sponsored by BioStrata, along with Technology Company of the Year, sponsored by Anglia Ruskin University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, and Start-up of the Year, sponsored by Regus.
Appleyard Lees, the firm of patent attorneys and IP specialists, sponsors our AI Company of the Year category, while Woodfines Solicitors sponsors Cleantech Company of the Year and SmithsonHill sponsors Agritech Company of the Year - each highlighting areas of technology in which Cambridge is leading the way.
Read more
Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards 2018: Complete winners' guide and galleries
Meet the sponsors of the 2019 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards
