Meet the sponsors of the 2019 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards
The Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards are a celebration of the best in the business across a range of science and technology sectors.
The awards - being held on October 30, 2019 at the Bradfield Centre in Cambridge - would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors.
They are:
Allia Future Business Centre
Sponsoring the Tech for Good Award
Allia Future Business Centres are passionate about protecting the future – we empower people and ventures to solve the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges. Through our centres and the venture support programmes we run, we work with those who, at the heart of their business, address the UN Sustainable Development Goals and create social and environmental change. Our Tech for Good award will recognize the very best businesses that work hard to develop innovative solutions harnessing technology with purpose, to create positive impact for people, planet and place.
Anglia Ruskin University's Faculty of Science and Engineering
Sponsoring the Technology Company of the Year Award
The Faculty of Science and Engineering offers taught and research degrees across the diverse disciplines of science and technology, from animal behaviour to sport and exercise therapy, optometry to psychology, computing and artificial intelligence to biomedical science and from forensic science to mechanical engineering. We are committed to increasing the numbers of women and under-represented groups in STEM careers, and work closely with industry to ensure that our inclusive and innovative programmes provide students with the skills that employers need. Our world-leading research informs our transformative teaching, and provides opportunities to add value to businesses and the wider community.
Appleyard Lees
Sponsoring AI Company of the Year
Appleyard Lees is a leading intellectual property law firm with more than 45 patent attorneys, trade mark attorneys and specialist solicitors.
We help the world’s most innovative businesses and leading academic institutions maximise the value of their intellectual property.
Our network of offices connects us to our clients in innovation hot spots throughout the UK. We offer specialist, strategic advice relative to global IP management.
AstraZeneca
Sponsoring Researcher of the Year
Excellent research, underpinned by talent, collaboration, tenacity and innovation, is fundamental to scientific leadership. The Researcher of the Year category in the 2019 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards reflects AstraZeneca’s approach to recognising accomplishment in scientific endeavours, particularly where the researcher has overcome hurdles to achieve outstanding scientific results. The breadth of this category, which covers all areas of research and technological advancement in both commercial and academic settings, demonstrates the increasing porousness and transferability of skills in Cambridge’s scientific cluster.
BioStrata
Sponsoring the Life Science Company of the Year
As a specialist marketing communications agency, BioStrata connects companies in the life science sector with customers worldwide, to assist in the adoption of cutting-edge products and services that drive scientific discovery and impact the world around us. Started by Paul Avery PhD and Clare Russell PhD, the company’s growing team with offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (US) includes a significant number of people with deep scientific knowledge, such as PhD-qualified scientists and others who spent time in laboratories earlier in their careers. Clients include companies working in research tools, diagnostics, lab automation, biotechnology, drug discovery and pharmaceutical sectors.
Cambridge Precision Ltd
Sponsoring the Award for Innovation
Cambridge Precision Ltd manufactures highest quality precision machined components and undertakes specialist electro-mechanical assembly projects for leaders in the technical, medical and energy sectors. The company is a global leader in the field of precision engineering and has become the partner of choice for companies that innovate and develop critical technology. CPL is committed to ensuring quality in every aspect of the business. The company invests in technology, in engineering and in people, in order to maintain their market position, right at the forefront of innovation, aligned with those who are setting the agenda for the 21st century.
Chesterford Research Park
Sponsoring Biotech Company of the Year
Chesterford Research Park offers modern, dynamic and flexible laboratory and office space set within 250 acres of parkland near Cambridge. Its prestigious, bespoke HQ buildings and fully fitted advanced laboratory space and office facilities are perfectly appointed for both established and early stage biotechnology, pharmaceutical and technology R&D companies. Chesterford’s innovative occupiers thrive in the state-of-the-art buildings and enjoy contemporary, central facilities - scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs working side by side on the development of life-changing drugs, devices and technology, all within this sustainable environment. To discover more, please visit www.chesterfordresearchpark.com.
COEL
Sponsoring Games Company of the Year
COEL specialises in office and laboratory refurbishment including fit out, for both landlords and tenants. The COEL Group has two subsidiaries: CPMS a plumbing, heating and mechanical specialist and CMS, which supplies office furniture, commercial relocation and a storage service. The comprehensive service offered is supported by our innovative interior design team, creating workspaces that inspire and excite; our goal is to improve people’s working lives. COEL pride themselves on being proactive facilitators with a can-do attitude.
Operating within the local region for more than 30 years, COEL has now extended its coverage by opening a branch in Oxford, offering full support for the Oxford to Cambridge arc and beyond. Customer service and family culture is paramount and the company is committed to being a partner for businesses as they adapt and change. We want our clients to have confidence that we will fulfil all their requirements.
Cofinitive
Sponsoring The Ones to Watch
Businesses all share the need to communicate effectively – and that’s where Cofinitive comes. We do Branding|Strategy|Communication|Engagement, with a little of our magic dust thrown in.
Faye Holland, founder of Cofinitive, said: “Last year’s Science & Technology Awards saw the launch of The Ones to Watch category, which was part of Cofinitive’s own regional Top 21 #OnetoWatch Companies, People and ‘Things’. 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. We’re excited to be leading this award again in 2019 and can’t wait to see the submissions.”
The Entrepreneurship Centre at Cambridge Judge Business School
Sponsoring Medtech Company of the Year
The Entrepreneurship Centre at Cambridge Judge Business School has a mission to support the University of Cambridge’s entrepreneurial talent development and commercialisation of new ideas; develop and share thought-leadership for the university as a global knowledge locus for innovation and entrepreneurship and to enhance the development of management capacity within the Cambridge ecosystem and beyond.
The Centre works closely with a growing and international community of staff, students, coaches, mentors, investors and academic, industry and government partners to design, develop and deliver a range of initiatives that drive economic and social impact from education, research and the practice of entrepreneurship.
Grant Thornton
Sponsoring CEO of the Year
Alison Seekings, partner at Grant Thornton UK LLP, said: “Grant Thornton UK LLP is delighted to, once again, be supporting the Cambridge Independent Science & Technology Awards. As leading advisors to dynamic, high-growth businesses, we are proud sponsors of the CEO of the Year category. We have the privilege of working with many innovative and entrepreneurial businesses based in and around Cambridge, supporting them in achieving their goals and maximising their potential. It is fantastic to recognise not only those businesses but also the inspirational individuals who lead those organisations with new and exciting ideas. We look forward to hearing more about their journey.”
HSBC
Sponsoring the reception
As one of the world’s largest banks, HSBC supports over one million businesses in the UK and more than 37 million customers worldwide. This year, we won ‘Best Business Banking Provider’ at the British Bank Awards 2018. We are committed to working with UK SMEs to help them realise their ambitions and over the past three years have committed £34bn in lending to enterprises in this sector. Our international network gives us access to around 90 per cent of world trade flows, so we are uniquely positioned to support the ambitions of internationally-minded businesses.
We aim to partner with businesses, rather than just provide products. We offer guidance through a range of channels, including our regional Strategies for Growth events, our HSBC Knowledge Centre and our Financial Wellbeing programme.
To find out more, visit: http://www.hsbc.com/about-hsbc/structure-and-network/commercial-banking.
Mathworks
Sponsoring STEM Initiative of the Year
MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of engineers and scientists, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualisation, and numeric computation. Simulink is a block diagram environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain and embedded engineering systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MATLAB and Simulink are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world's universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 4500 people in 16 countries. For additional information, visit mathworks.com.
Regus
Sponsoring Start-up of the Year
Area sales manager James Fenech said: “Regus is proud to support the Science and Technology Awards 2019. Technology has transformed the way societies operate in just a few decades. From the way we work to how we spend our leisure time, tech has opened up exciting new possibilities for individuals and organisations alike. The businesses that have been nominated for these awards have all made their unique contributions to this revolution.
“At Regus, we support start-ups who are looking for workspaces to build and grow their proposition. We congratulate the start-ups in this category that are pushing forward innovation in Cambridge, and will be watching with great anticipation to see what they do next!”
SmithsonHill
Sponsoring Agritech Company of the Year
SmithsonHill SmithsonHill seeks to develop a commercial space in Cambridge dedicated to advancing AgriTech and associated science & technology sectors. Emma Fletcher, MD, explained why SmithsonHill continues to support the Agritech Company of the Year Award: “The Cambridge agritech cluster has come a long way in the last year, with all of the 2018 Agritech Company of the Year award finalists, and many other local businesses, going from strength to strength. With our current climate, biodiversity and food production emergency, it is more important than ever that agritech helps find solutions to the many challenges we are facing. The judges of the Agritech Company of the Year award will be looking for solutions that bring together cutting-edge technologies with farming to address any agricultural challenge.”
Woodfines
Sponsoring Cleantech Company of the Year
Woodfines Solicitors is pleased to again be sponsoring the Cambridge Science and Technology Awards, having done so since its inception. The firm, who provide a full range of legal services across Cambridge, Bedford and Milton Keynes, are known for providing specialist legal support to a wide range of businesses, from the day an idea is formulated, through to fruition and beyond. Woodfines’ commercial team, advising on business transactions, property requirements, employment law and dispute resolution, and based on Clarendon Road in Cambridge, are associate founder members of Cambridge Cleantech and are passionate about supporting innovative companies from the cleantech sector.
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Finalists in the 2019 Cambridge Independent Science and Technology Awards revealed
